Barefoot Ballad

 Charles looked around. The old town hadn't changed much since he'd left; and the same could be said for the old house. 

He was suddenly glad he had decided to come back so he could begin writing. It was quiet; and the nostalgia would help his block. 

"Hi there."

 Charles looked up.

I want a barefoot ballad yes a barefoot ballad
Won't you play for me a down home country song

"Sorry," the young man apologized. "I didn't mean to disturb you. Are you Mr. Blackwood? I'm Hal..." 

"Carter," Charles finished with a smile. "We talked on the phone. Nice to finally meet you officially." 

"Likewise," Hal replied, shaking his hand. "Listen; I'm right next door. Anything you need; don't hesitate to ask."

 "For sure," Charles nodded.

'Cause when I kick my shoes off, and I kick my blues off
With a barefoot ballad you just can't go wrong

It had been a few days. Charles had been on a roll with his book; and was contemplating doing something to celebrate.

"Mr. Blackwood?" 

"Hal!" Charles greeted with a smile. "What's up?"

 "Not much," Hal replied. "I... Umm... I was gonna set up a beach bonfire. Care to join me?" 

"Mmm..." Charles was thoughtful for a second. "One condition: You lay off that 'Mr. Blackwood' crap; and start calling me Charles."

Give me a honk-tonk fiddle with a guitar in the middle and a melody
Humming like a fountain swinging out on Smokey mountain

"So, Hal..." Charles said as he slipped his sandals off. "Tell me about yourself. Where you from?"

 "Kansas," Hal replied. "Came out here for a fresh start."

 "What do you do?" Charles asked. "Besides being caretaker to this dump; I mean."

 "Actually; I just got my teaching certificate," Hal confessed. "Looking to teach drama." 

"That's really neat," Charles admitted.

I want a barefoot ballad yes, a barefoot ballad
Won't you play for me a down home country song

"How about you?" Hal asked as he sipped his drink. "What made you decide to come back?"

"I thought I'd get some quiet and inspiration here," Charles admitted. "So far; it's working. I was thinking of making my stay here permanent and maybe finding a job here."

 "Maybe I could help with that," Hal offered. 

Charles smiled. "I'd like that, Hal. Thanks."

'Cause when I kick my shoes off, and I kick my blues off
With a barefoot ballad you just can't go wrong

Charles wasn't sure how; but he was starting to feel himself loosen up. Hal suddenly turned the music up on his speaker. 

"You dance?" he asked. 

"A little," Charles admitted. "I'm not very good..." 

'It's okay!" Hal insisted. "I'll teach you!" 

Charles smiled, taking Hal's hand.

Now the big toe's connected to the two toe
And the two toe's connected to the three toe

"Where'd you learn to dance?" Charles had to ask. 

"High school," Hal confessed. "That; and my dad signed me up for lessons. Don't be too impressed; though. I can't do a box-step to save my life; and you do not wanna know what I look like attempting the tango."

And the three toe's connected to the four toe
And the four toe's connected to the five toe
And the five toe and away we go

The bonfire was starting to die down; but there was still a fire in Hal and Charles' eyes as they looked at each other. 

"Hal..." Charles managed. "I..." 

Hal cut him off with a searing kiss.

I want a barefoot ballad yes, a barefoot ballad
Won't you play for me a down home country song

"Wanna carry this party inside?"

 Charles smiled, nodding. "Very, very much so." 

Hal smiled; working quickly to put the fire out.

'Cause when I kick my shoes off, and I kick my blues off
With a barefoot ballad you just can't go wrong

Hal had Charles against the wall as soon as they were inside. 

"Wait..." Charles managed. "I... I do want this... It's just... I've never..." 

"Neither have I," Hal confessed. "But this... This feels right to me." 

Charles smiled and nodded in agreement. 

"Me too."

Now the big toe's connected to the two toe
And the two toe's connected to the three toe
And the three toe's connected to the four toe

Charles woke up to the smell of what could only be chocolate chip waffles. And he was pleased to find the smell coming from the kitchen, courtesy of Hal. 

"Morning!" he greeted. "Just wanted to thank you for last night." 

"You don't have to," Charles insisted with a smile. "But I'll take it."

And the four toe's connected to the five toe
And the five toe and away we go

"So..." Hal said as he poured coffee. "You have plans for today?" 

"Not one," Charles replied.

 "Come to the movies with me?" Hal offered. 

"You're on," Charles replied with a smile. 

Something was telling him that he was going to enjoy his stay here...

I want to barefoot ballad yes a barefoot ballad
Won't you play for me a barefoot ballad song