Disclaimer:All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Song inspiration for this chapter is Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be?) written in 1941 by Jimmy Davis, Roger Ramirez, and James Sherman. It's most associated with Billie Holiday but Linda Ronstadt and the Nelson Riddle Orchestra covered it on the 1983 album What's New.

GIFTS

Chapter 29: Bella's Plea

Edward and Esme walked into THE BAR together. His eyes scanned the crowd quickly and darted around trying to find Bella but she was nowhere to be seen. He guided his mother to a booth in the far corner in a darkened area, preferring to remain as anonymous as possible until he was ready to make his presence known. He felt nervous enough to pass out. "Mom, I'll be right back. I need to speak with the bartender".

She watched her son go to the bar and have a few words with the bartender, saw him pass something to him, and watched Edward digging into his pocket for money. He returned with two cold drinks for them.

In moments, the lights went down, the jukebox went silent, and people stopped playing pool.
"Mom, she's going to sing. Wait till you see her. Wait till you hear her".

Bella walked out and took her customary perch on the barstool in the center of the dance floor. With microphone in hand, her music began:

I don't know why but I'm feeling so sad
I long to try something I never had
Never had no kissin'
Ooh, what I've been missin'
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

The night is cold and I'm so alone
I'd give my soul just to call you my own
Got a moon above me
But no one to love me
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

I've heard it said
That the thrill of romance
Can be like a heavenly dream
I go to bed with a prayer
That you'll make love to me
Strange as it seems

Someday we'll meet
And you'll dry all my tears
Then whisper sweet
Little things in my ear
Hugging and a-kissing
Ooh, what I've been missing
Lover man, oh, where can you be?

The place erupted in cheers for Bella. Not a typical song for a honkytonk redneck bar in Georgia, but her voice and passion and emotion could win over any crowd.

"Edward, she can sing. She should have a recording contract," Esme told her son.

He nodded, unable to speak as he drank in the sight of her and allowed her choice of lyrics to sink into his brain. LOVER MAN OHWHERE CAN YOU BE?

She had to be singing about him, she had to be. He'd die if that song were about another guy. He thought of her as his girl and he had come back here tonight to claim what was his. He ducked low into his booth to keep from being seen. She went into the ladies room to prepare to return to waitressing. Now he had to make his move. "Mom, sit tight. There's something I have to do".

Author Notes: What's he doing?