The Guitar Strap

"Where ya headed girls?" Deacon inquired as Maddie and Daphne went racing by.

"We told you. Scarlett is taking us to the Bridgestone to see Kelly Clarkson." Daphne responded excitedly.

"I knew that. Have a good time."

When Rayna came home later, she asked after the girls also.

Deacon chuckled. "Glad I'm not the only one with a bad memory. The girls are going to the Kelly Clarkson concert with Scarlett."

"Guess it's just us tonight, old man."

"Who ya calling 'old'? This 'old' man was able to sex you up like a young stud, not once, not twice, but three times last night."

"Okay, okay. When it comes to that you are as virile as a 29-year-old, babe. And, I am one lucky lady," Rayna conceded. "So, the big 5-0 is right around the corner," Rayna continued. "Any hints for what you might like?"

"I dunno, babe. I don't want a damn party. You better not have a party for me. One every 50 years is good enough for me. While I appreciated Juliette's efforts last year, I don't want a repeat performance. 'Sides, I have everything I could possibly want with you and the girls. And you know, I'm happy with watching Old Yeller."

"Deacon, I promise no party. But, no promises with Old Yeller. That movie is not happy. It is too damned sad!"

"Well, I like it."

"Well, you are not the most happy-go-lucky guy in the world!" Rayna teased.

"Okay, just for that...". And with that, Deacon pounced on Rayna and began tickling her relentlessly until the two of them were breathless.

"Okay, okay. Uncle!" proclaimed Rayna. "You can watch Old Yeller, but I won't join in the sob fest!"

"Alright, fair enough."

"Well we have the house to ourselves, what do you want to do tonight, babe," Rayna asked.

Deacon thought a minute. "Well since you asked, can we read your journal together?" Deacon asked hesitantly.

"I thought you forgot about that. Sure babe. I promised that we would do that together. Why don't you go get it, and I'll make us some popcorn and grab us two tall sweet teas."

Rayna was already ensconced on the sofa sipping her sweet tea when Deacon returned, journal in hand. He handed it to Rayna and settled in beside her grabbing an overflowing handful of popcorn.

"You have a problem lady, you know that."

"Oh, hush! I like butter on my popcorn, what can I say?"

"Ray, you like equal parts butter and popcorn!"

Rayna chuckled and slapped Deacon's chest. "You're not wrong there. Okay message received. I'll go easy on the butter next time."

"Alright, I have the perfect entry to share. Let me see if I can find it. Ah, here it is. Your first birthday after we were together."

"Perfect."

September 25, 1989

Male friends should not be able to have birthdays until you've been friends at least three months.

Deacon's birthday is in a couple weeks.

I want to get him something special, but I have no idea what to get him and I don't want to send the wrong message. I know Deacon looks at me like a little sister. I wish he didn't. I think he is super hot, but he is not interested in me as more than a singing partner. I have a feeling he knows his way around women. He wouldn't be interested in a virgin like me.

October 1, 1989

Well, I think I figured out what to get Deacon for his birthday. Yesterday I noticed that his guitar strap is thin and frayed. I'd like to get him a new one, something special.

I asked Watty for suggestions. He looked at me strangely and laughed. I'm not sure why. Anyway, he suggested this leather craftsman off Broadway so I'm headed there tomorrow.

October 4, 1989

I may be wrong about Deacon. I saw him checking me out while we were getting set up tonight. It didn't hurt that I had on my shortest jean mini skirt and a top with a plunging neckline. I kind of did it on purpose to see if it got a reaction. Oh, and it got a reaction, not only from Deacon, but from CJ at the Bootery.

I picked up Deacon's guitar strap today. CJ did an amazing job! Watty was right, CJ is an extraordinary craftsman.

I had Deacon's name tooled on the belt with a southwest color palette of deep blues, teals, burgundies, greens, clay, golden yellow and variations of browns. I want everyone to know his name. He thinks he's just a guitar player, but I think he's brilliant and I'm so lucky Watty put us together. I hope he likes it.

I don't know what I want him to think it means. I like him, (like him, like him) but I don't know if he feels the same. I'm not experienced and I just know he's had lots of women that have been around. All that I know is that when I'm around him, I feel like I've never felt before - horny! If Deacon doesn't make a move soon, I'm going to have to take matters into my own hands. Wait, I've done that, now I prefer his hands.

October 6, 1989

Tonight I gave Deacon the guitar strap. He really seemed to like it. He immediately attached it to his Martin.

He was real grateful. He seemed to look at me differently after I gave it to him, almost like he had an awakening.

I went out with him and Vince to a few honkytonks to celebrate. We might have had a little too much to drink. By the end of the night I was slow dancing with Deacon. He was holding me real close. I swear I felt his bulge and he seems to be quite blessed! His cheek was next to my head and I could feel his chest rise and fall as he breathed in my scent (I'm glad I washed my hair with that new lavender coriander shampoo that Tandy gave me).

When the song ended, he abruptly pulled away like he suddenly remembered something, almost like he was spooked. He looked at my lips hungrily, but then he just pulled me back to the table.

At the end of the night, he dropped me at home and gave me an awkward peck on the cheek and thanked me for the strap saying it was the best birthday gift he ever got.

I was so happy he liked it. Truth be told, I wouldn't have minded if he showed me how much he liked it. He's not like the boys at school. There's something mysterious about him. He is the definition of the tortured artist. He is so sweet and he feels things deeply and he is such a gentleman, unlike the boys from the country club whose main goal is to get in my pants.

Oh, well, I don't know how long I can wait for him to make a move!

"Oh, I wanted to show you how much I liked that guitar strap. You do know that when Watty set us up, he threatened me within an inch of my life if I got fresh with you? And, it was downright cruel of you to wear those short skirts and low-cut tops around me in those early days. I'd have to go home and clean my rifle or relieve myself with Samantha Beasley pretty much after every time we played together in those early days."

Rayna chuckled and conceded that it was cruel of her to knowingly flaunt her bosoms in front of him, knowing that he would practically drool when she did.

"I still love that guitar strap, Ray. When I go, I want you to bury me with it, cause that's the only way it's not going to be holding my guitar on my shoulder. I wore it all the time after we weren't together so you would always know you were with me."

"I kind of knew that, babe. That's why I would wear the "I Love You" belt that you had CJ make me for my birthday - so you would know that even though I was with Teddy, you were always in my heart."

"Thanks for sharing that, Ray. I'm glad that you feel comfortable sharing your journal with me."

"I'm flattered that you want to know. I love sharing this with you, Deacon. We're an open book with each other when we write. I already feel that we've been stripped bare in front of each other."

Deacon slid over closer to Rayna and smirked as he slid his hand along her bare legs. "Well,speaking of stripped bare, since were married now and I know Watty won't kick my ass for getting into your pants, I want to show you just how much I appreciated that strap. I'm taking matters into my own hands." And with that, Deacon slid one hand up Rayna's short skirt and ran his other hand under her shirt and gently squeezed her boob while he kissed her deeply as she moaned in his mouth.

"Mmmmm," Rayna mewed. "This married thing has its benefits!"