A Familiar Ring

CHAPTER 6: Sometimes It's Okay to Go Back Home

Morris followed the directions from Cadence's GPS once they had gotten near Macon. Cadence could've given him directions herself but she didn't really feel like talking and she also might've gotten lost as the roads looked different now. These streets were once familiar to her but now everything was so foreign and shockingly much more modern than she remembered it.

"Say, you ever been to Little Richard's house?" Morris asked, breaking Cadence away from her thoughts.

Cadence laughed, "Yeah, everybody in Macon know that house."

"You listen to Little Richard?"

"Not all like that. I might be a little too young for—"

"Oh chile please! That's what's wrong with you kids today. You don't know y'all history. Little Richard make great music!"

"I mean, I know the hits."

"Yeah? Like what?"

"You know, 'Tutti Frutti', 'Good Golly Miss Molly' and uh... well... those ones."

"That's it?!"

Cadence laughed again, "I guess so Mr. Morris. I'm sorry, I'm not even 30 yet! He's before my time!"

"Hmph! You oughta give the songs that wasn't no hits a chance. He make great music! People always wondered if he was funny but that ain't never mind me none. He spoke to the heart, you know?"

"Mmhmm," Cadence agreed but she didn't really know what he meant because she had never really listened to his music, she was just being nice and keeping a conversation she didn't really want to have in the first place.

"He got a few songs might help you get through what you going through right now," Morris peered at Cadence through his rearview mirror. Most of the ride had been silent but he felt a duty to impart some wisdom to his passenger. He'd seen his share of heartbreaks and he wanted to let her know she'd get through it.

"Yeah?" Cadence asked in earnest. She loved music, was named after music. She was open to the message Morris was attempting to give her through music.

"Yes ma'am. A lotta folks think he was all about partying and a good time. But he got quite a few songs of substance talmbout love and heartbreak, you know?"

"Hmm. I'll give him a listen," Cadence offered in a way that made Morris think she would actually consider doing so.

Morris nodded, pleased that he had convinced such a younger person to look into music from his generation. Once Morris turned down the street of the home Cadence was headed to, things started to be a bit more recognizable for her. It dawned on her that this neighborhood just hasn't been gentrified yet. But Cadence's jaw nearly dropped when Morris pulled up to the house at 1133 Vineville. It was different—updated—but it still had the same charm and character she remembered from when she was younger. Prosper must've done all the upgrades himself, she thought. The house was a vibrant ultramarine accented in stark white with a large, striking orange door. It was clearly the star on the block.

"Well, this it?" Morris asked to see if they were at the right place.

"This is it. Thank you so much."

"No problem. Here, let me help you with your bags," he handed her phone back to her as he got out of the car and opened the trunk.

Cadence looked down at her texts to see one from Prosper that came in 20 minutes ago.

478-555-7289: The main key is under the cushion on the back porch swing, small key is in the chimes. Don't forget to put them back.

478-555-7289:I should be there in about 45 minutes. Briscoe gonna be there before me.