To the Moon and Back

Hidden Talents

"Thank you for flying American Airlines. Happy Thanksgiving!" the stewardess called over the speaker. I landed in Lafayette, Louisiana to spend the holiday  weekend with Hunter's family. I flipped my phone off of airplane mode and sent Hunter a quick text.

J: Landed, only brought a carry on. Where can I find you?

H: Just parked. Walk through to the exit where the taxis are. Wearing my blue jays hat

I laughed to myself as I slid my phone into my pocket and ventured out of the airport. I saw Hunter sitting on a bench scrolling through his phone, sunglasses on and the hat doing a good job of covering his face. As I approached, I cleared my throat and said, "I believe you're my ride?" He looked up from his phone and hopped to his feet.

"Hey sweetie," he kissed my cheek and took my bag. "How was the flight?"

"It was good. How are you?"

"Better now that you're here." He always knew the right things to say. We walked hand in hand to the car and began driving to Breaux Bridge. "Would you like a coffee? There's not a Starbucks in town but there's a good little cafe not too far from my parents." I nodded and we pulled up to Joie de Vevre cafe. It was a cute little place, I forgot that a lot of the settlers on this part of the state were French descent. We ordered coffees to go and continued on.

"Is it weird that I'm nervous?" I laughed, lacing my fingers with Hunter's.

"You have nothing to be worried about. My parents will love you." I squeezed his hand and we pulled up the driveway to the cute split level home with the big ash tree in the front yard. Hunter parked and took out my bags and his parents came out the front door.

"You must be Jenna," his mom opened her arms for a hug, "I'm Lynette, this is Leo." She gestured toward Hunter's dad. Immediately I saw so much of Hunter in his parents.

"Pleasure to met you both. Thank you so much for having me." They smiled and welcomed us inside. My heart burst walking through the front door of Hunter's childhood home. Lynette and Leo stepped aside to prepare a late lunch while Hunter gave me a quick tour.

"Your room, my dear," he lead me into what I'm guessing was his room. I admired the posters on the wall and the state fair trophies on the shelves. Hunter set my bags down on the bed, "Bathroom is across the hall. If you don't mind us sharing..." his voice drifted off. I sat on the bed and gestured for him to come sit with me.

"I absolutely do not mind sharing a bed with you. The better question is, do you have another blanket? I'm kind of a blanket hog." Hunter laughed.

"That you are." He wrapped his arm around me as we sat in perfect silence. I rested my head on his shoulder and breathed in his familiar scent. "Did you need a rest, Jen?"

"I'm good, I just missed you." He gave me a little squeeze and kissed my head. "I have something I want to tell you." Hunter shifted his weight, facing me, holding my hands. "The day after Thanksgiving, I filed for the paperwork to get a US work visa. It's a process, and it can take like, eight months."

"That's amazing Jen." He hugged me, "Anything I can do to help?"

"Lunch is ready," his mom called from the kitchen. 

"We will talk about this later." he kissed my cheek and we got up and went downstairs to find turkey sandwiches, veggies and lemonade. "Jenna, Hunter mentioned you have some allergies. Can you let me know what you can eat - I'll be heading to the market tomorrow."

"Yeah, I have a shellfish allergy - so no shrimp, lobster, crab, mussels or oysters."

"She misses out on the fun stuff," Hunter nudged me playfully. "I mean, you're in the crawfish capital of the USA."

I laughed, "Theres just more for you. It's not like a life or death allergy... I don't have an epi pen." Hunter mom made note and went over the menu she had in mind for tomorrow nights dinner; turkey, craw fish and corn, gumbo, potatoes, veggies, greens and pie.

"That all sounds amazing." Hunter and I said in unison. The rest of the day was pretty low key. Hunter and I took Cole for a walk around the neighbourhood. I thought my town was small. In comparison, Hunter's hometown was microscopic. It was charming but had a fraction of the hustle and bustle I grew up with. 

"I would suggest we go walk along the riverbank," Hunter said, "but unlike your hometown, mine has alligators."

"Yeah, I'm not really interested in meeting them." I laughed. "This town is so laid back. How do you go from this to Nashville to New York?" 

"I need to be busy," he smiled. I know what he meant. Even though my accreditation process was done, I was taking the extra volunteer shifts to help my case for when I needed to apply for working visas. "being here with you is a welcomed vacation."

I nodded, "It feels like a vacation, it's November and I'm wearing a dress." The weather was warm, almost twenty five degrees, I was wearing a black maxi dress and flip flops. 

We headed back toward Hunter's and he grabbed two guitars and headed to the backyard. He passed me one. "A little bird told me you can play a few chords." I rolled my eyes, my dad. "And when were you going to tell me you know how to play the piano?" 

"I cannot play like you - I can get through like, two Taylor Swift songs." I laughed and sat the guitar in my lap. My left hand wrapped around the neck, my right hand strummed. Hunter looked at my funny. "What?"

"You're a lefty...wouldn't you want to strum with your left?" I shook my head, explaining how I throw, kick and swing right in sports, my left hand is just my writing. He shrugged and began strumming to a familiar little tune.

 "It don't matter what plans I got, I can break 'em.
Yeah, I can turn this thing around at the next red light
And I don't mind telling all the guys "I can't meet 'em".
Hell, we can all go raise some hell on any other night  "

"You know all of my favourites," I hummed along. Hunter smiled and continued,

Girl, I don't care, oh I just gotta see what you're wearing.
Your hair, is I put up or falling down?
Oh I just have to see it now.If you wanna call me, call me, call me you don't have to worry 'bout it baby.
You can wake me up in the dead of the night; wreck my plans, baby that's alright.
This is a drop everything kind of thing.
Swing on by I will pour you a drink.
The door's unlocked, I'll leave on the lights
Baby you can crash my party anytime.

Hunter finished the song and I felt his eyes watching me as I strummed, "The first song I learned was Taylor Swift's 'You Belong With Me', I and I remember my sister teaching me the first verse and we used to sing it in my mom's office at work." Hunter laughed and played along with me. I am always in awe of his ability to just pick up the sound of a song. "You sir, are incredibly talented."

"Music has always been the dream, I never had a plan B, this had to be it." I smiled, he said, "I am so lucky to have this working out the way it has, and now I have you - everything feels complete." I felt my cheeks blushing.

"Hey ya'll," Leo came out to the backyard, "Hunter do you ever relax?" He laughed, patting him on the arm.

"Well, I just needed to see it for myself - Jenna's dad told me she can play guitar and piano." Hunter gushed. His dad raised his eyebrows and nodded, pulling up a chair at the patio. The afternoon wore on and before we knew it, it was time for dinner. We had an informal family dinner, just Hunter, his parents and I. They were so genuine and kind and I felt so welcomed.

"Family is coming tomorrow," Lynette said, "dinner will be at five." 

"Let me know if there's anything I can help you with." I smiled, "I appreciate spending this time with you all." 

"You're more than welcome Jenna," Leo said. Lynette added, "It's nice to see Hunter happy - thanks to you."

I blushed and Hunter reached for my hand. "Your son is incredible. I feel so lucky."

We had dessert and turned in for the evening, knowing tomorrow would be a busy day.