Compromise Me (Book Two of the Kirkland Family)

Compromise Me: Chapter 34

Chapter 34

 

“One jar of happy tears,” Arielle announced, setting a small jar of faintly-blue liquid on the bar next to Josie.  It was Saturday night, and the two women commandeered barstools at Alfred’s bar, so that Arielle could visit with her sister Christy, who had to work, and Josie could listen to The Keychains play a few sets as the billed band that night.

 

Josie’s ears perked when she heard the first chords of “Princess,” a song Travis wrote not long after she began working at Raw Studios.  She smiled to herself, knowing that was her song.  She’d been the inspiration for the tone of frustration in the lyrics.  Lydia’s sweet voice only enhanced the overall malice and annoyance, and in a very feminine way, Josie got a kick out of it.  She kind of liked knowing she got under Travis’ skin sometimes...at least, enough to compose an entire song out of it.

 

“And I say happy, because they are happy tears, even though I bawled my eyes out collecting it,” Arielle said, gaining Josie’s attention again.  Josie grinned and hugged her friend.

 

“Thanks, Arielle,” she said.  “Now tell me all about the honeymoon.”

 

“Nuh uh.  Tell me all about your date with Travis,” Arielle insisted, her eyes gleaming mischievously.

 

This was only the second time Josie had seen Arielle since she and Sam came home from Niagara Falls, and yet the first chance Arielle got to give Josie her jar of "tears."  Just that morning, Josie and Travis arrived at Ari’s and Sam’s new house to help them move in.  Josie had forgotten all about the newlyweds moving to Memphis that weekend, until Arielle called Josie in the middle of her drink with Travis the night before.  Most of the Saturday had been spent unloading and unpacking furniture and boxes...and playing with Tristan.  Because there was just something about opening a box of toys--old toys that hadn’t been played with in a long time--and rediscovering all the treasures of a little boy’s imagination.  

 

Needless to say, Tristan’s room had to be set up and arranged first.  It was good foresight on Travis’ part.  By lunchtime, Little Man wore himself out, and the adults found him curled up on his bed with a nest of his favorite toys surrounding him.  During the boy’s nap, Sam and Travis were able to get most of the heavy furniture into the house without the barrage of questions and the scurry of a little boy underfoot.  

 

Arielle showed Josie the house, and they walked the neighborhood for a few minutes, and Josie thought it was a great place to raise a child.  The backyard was spacious.  There was a park nearby, and Arielle’s workplace was only a quick drive up the street.  It was a home suited for Arielle, who loved the city.

 

Now, Tristan and Sam were hanging out at Sam’s mom’s house, while Travis and his band worked their set, and Josie and Arielle visited with Christy at the bar.

 

“Whoa, just wait two minutes on that,” Christy said as she poured glasses of beer in front of them.  “Let me deliver these before you say anything.  I want to hear about this date, too.”  Christy winked at Josie and disappeared out into the tables with her order.