Take It From Me

I Hold On

"I have been in your shoes, and I feel like you're at the age where you can really get out there and do more. I also have been granted the privilege to see you grow not only as a performer but a well rounded writer. I heard Holly Jade picked up two songs you and your guitarist wrote." Luke sat back in his office chair as we discussed the parameters of the deal he proposed. 

"Goodness, Luke this offer all sounds amazing but I'm still a mom. My kids still really need me around." Thinking back to just a few nights ago with Beckett at the hospital, "If I signed with you, what would your expectations be of me?"

"Fair enough, how old are your kiddos?"

"Almost fifteen, eleven and nine."

"Well, Jenna, I'm happy to hear you're writing for all sorts of people. I know how much you enjoyed being on a stage, and I think you could do a lot. I was your age at one of my highest highs you know." I nodded, thinking back to when I toured with Luke so early in my career, "You've also held many great titles and I think you have a lot of miles left on ya." He slid the papers back across the desk, "I would be so happy to have an artist of your caliber on the Thirty Two Bridge team." I thanked Luke and headed across town for the same meeting with Broken Bow Records.

"How were your meetings babe," Hunter and I unwound in bed, discussing the adventures of the day, "did they help you clarify your thoughts?"

"Yes and no." I turned to face him, "you were right about the corporate feeling. Broken Bow is amazing but they have such a big roster and I would get lost in the hustle or be pushed in different directions. Luke believes I can still do so much, at my own pace. And I'm almost certain he's been keeping tabs. He knew about the songs I wrote for Holly." Luke semi-retired from performing his big stadium shows and really began managing his franchises and other avenues.

"Fantastic," he reached for my hand, "Jen you know I support you. Whatever you choose."

"Thank you babe." I kissed him gently, "On another note, the kids have three weeks left at school and Sutton has her grade eight graduation..." I sighed, "What does your summer look like?"

"CMA fest - first week of June as usual. And I think we are doing a little fall-winter tour, just festivals for the summer."

"Excellent." I rested my head on his shoulder, "I should look at signing the kids up for camp. And we have Sutton's fifteenth birthday. How is she fifteen?" I chuckled.

"I know right?" He kissed the top of my head, "time is just flying."

School wrapped up and we celebrated Sutton's graduation with a trip to New York before Hunter's summer festivals started. "Thank you so much, this place is one of my favourites." We were eating at a restaurant in Time Square, discussing what we would do this summer. Hunter and I thought it would be inspiring to take Sutton to a Broadway musical, so after dinner we headed out to see a production of Grease.

"That was such a fun trip." Easton said, boarding the plane ahead of me, Beckett agreed.

"New York doesn't have any good golfing spots though." Hunter chuckled as we got this kids situated.

"This was Sutton's graduation present, not a golf trip for you bud. Mom has you going to golf camp three times this summer. You will be a professional when I get back from tour." Beckett's face dropped.

"What? Tour?" His grey eyes were piercing.

"Beck, it's summer, you know this is kind of the same thing every year." Hunter purse his lips together, "I will be home for the first day of school, you're going into grade five, can you believe it?"

"I just don't understand why we are always at home with mom." He turned quickly, "No offence but it's like you stopped working and dad is never home." I was taken aback by Beckett's outburst, unsure of what to say.

"Beckett, I'm not sure what it is you want or what you're trying to tell us...." Beckett shrugged.

"I don't know either. It just seems like we stopped doing things as a family."

"We'll see what we can do bud. Your PSP is charged by the way," Hunter handed him the video game and Beckett headed over to sit beside Easton.

"He's going to be our angsty one." I sipped from my water bottle, "do you think that they're bothered that I'm home so much?"

"Babe, they may complain about it but then they complain when we are both super busy. We will never win. What we can do is focusing on being the best we can under the circumstance."

"The more I think about it, the more I want to sign with Luke. I feel like he's got his heart in the right place, he's where I want to be at his age...." I smiled.

"I'm so happy for you babe." He reached for my hand, "When are you going to talk to him next?"

"I think I'll send him an email when we get home and reorganized. Definitely something to look forward to for the new year.