Just as we were learning about the passing of Kenny Rogers, we now learn we've lost another country music legend. Joe Diffie died on March 29 of this year at age 61.
As another way to help James feel better after being unmasked at Royal Prep's singing contest (see chapter 6 of The Secret Love Song or chapter 9 of The Day the Music Died), Roland and Melinda remember a song they always sang to James when he was sad, sick, or hurting. They sing it for him, with several surprises in store for everyone. For a variation on this classic, check out chapter 20 of my collection Now Day Karaoke Party. Joe Diffie's music is not mine, and on a more serious note, rest in peace, Joe Diffie.
"Don't worry, James; we'll pretend to be surprised when you unmask yourself tomorrow," Amber smiled.
"Amber!" Sofia frowned. Earlier that evening, James, who hadn't sung in public for three years following his birth mother's death, had decided to try the song he was supposed to sing again. He had been unmasked by two bullies, and now, the family was in his room with him, trying to help him feel better.
"No, we won't do that, but we will be proud of you, just like we are right now," Roland smiled, "And if I may make a suggestion about the song you do, and how you reveal it to Vivian…"
"What song should I do?" James asked. His feelings of hopelessness had begun to disappear when he learned that it was all right for him to sing in public, and that his birth mother Queen Melinda, who was there in front of him as a ghost, had said that she never held him to what he said about never singing in public again.
"You can sing whatever you want," Melinda smiled. "But I know a song that always made you feel better whenever you felt sad when you were little."
"I believe I know the one you mean," Roland smiled as he rooted through James' box of tapes and CDs. He nodded when he found the song he was looking for a few moments later. "I remember singing this one to him when he had that cold when he was a baby."
"Which one was it, Daddy?" Amber asked.
"This one," Roland smiled as he put the CD in James' radio.
When she heard the opening notes, Melinda smiled. "That's perfect!"
As James leaned against Miranda's shoulder, Melinda started singing, I could tell he'd had a tough life
By the way he sat and stared
And me, I'd come to push and shove
So I pulled up a chair
As she sang, she saw James reach his hand out to her like he and Amber used to do when they were little, Melinda smiled and squeezed it, then reached out for Amber and squeezed her hand.
At the same time, Roland joined in, We talked of roads untraveled
We talked of love untrue
Of strings that come unraveled
We were kings and kindred fools
And just when I'd hit bottom
That old man raised his glass
And said at least we had our chances
There's those who never have
As she sang, Melinda smiled as she remembered James singing what she and Roland called his 'la-la-la' song with her as she either rocked him or danced him around the room whenever she sang this, or any other song.
"I remember this," Amber smiled as she reached out for Melinda's hand. "This song was always so pretty!"
Melinda squeezed it and nodded as she and Roland sang together, So here's to all the soldiers
Who have ever died in vain
The insane locked up in themselves
The homeless down on Main
To those who stand on empty shores
And spit against the wind
And those who wait forever
For ships that don't come in
"I haven't heard this song in a long time," Miranda smiled.
"If you know the song and you like it, then join us," Melinda invited.
Miranda smiled. "All right, I will! Thank you!"
She pulled Sofia into a hug as she took the next verse, He said it's only life's illusions
That bring us to this bar
To pick up these old crutches
And compare each other's scars
Roland smiled as he hugged Amber and James and joined in, 'Cause the things we're calling heartache
Hell, they're hardly worth our time
We bitch about a dollar
When there's those without a dime
"Come on, James, just one little 'la-la-la' for old times' sake!" Amber smiled.
"Oh, okay," James smiled as he let her pull him to his feet. He let her lead him in a dance as he sang, "La-la-la!" As Amber hugged him, he added, "And now I can sing full songs like this one!"
"And if I may say so, it's going to be wonderful to hear you sing another full song tomorrow," Roland smiled.
"Yes you may," James grinned.
Melinda nodded encouragingly, and James nodded to Sofia to open the door as he joined in, And as he ordered one last round
He said I guess we can't complain
God made life a gamble
And we're still in the game
"I never thought I'd see the day when James sang with his door open again," Amber whispered as Roland hugged her.
"And we might be seeing more days like this," James smiled.
"That's wonderful!" Sofia smiled.
James smiled as he sang with Roland and Melinda, So here's to all the soldiers
Who have ever died in vain
The insane locked up in themselves
The homeless down on Main
To those who stand on empty shores
And spit against the wind
And those who wait forever
For ships that don't come in
James smiled as he finished the song, And those who wait forever
For ships that don't come in
He gave Melinda a hug when the song ended, and Melinda smiled. "I'm so proud of you, James!"
"We all are," Miranda smiled as she, Roland, Amber, and Sofia also hugged him.
"When I sing my song to Vivian tomorrow, it's also going out to you, Mom," James added.
"Thank you, sweetheart," Melinda smiled. "I'll be watching as you sing it, and I know you'll do a wonderful job."
"He will indeed," Roland smiled as the family hugged James.
