Chapter Six

"Play something!" Amelia and Jessop cheered as John pulled his guitar out of its case.

John plucked a few strings, tuning the instrument up. "Alright, how about Sweet Home Alabama?"

The two children nodded. "Yeah!"

John started the song, strumming the opening chords. "Big wheels keep on turning Carry me home to see my kin Singing songs about the south-land I miss 'ole' 'bamy once again and I think it's a sin," He smiled as Claire started to sing, followed by the rest of the clan.

"Well I heard Mister Young sing about her Well I heard ole Neil put her down Well, I hope Neil Young will remember A southern man don't need him around anyhow Sweet home Alabama Where the skies are so blue Sweet home Alabama Lord, I'm coming home to you in Birmingham they love the Gov'nor, boo-hoo-hoo Now we all did what we could do Now Watergate does not bother me Does your conscience bother you, tell the truth Sweet home Alabama Where the skies are so blue Sweet home Alabama Lord, I'm coming home to you, here I come Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers And they've been known to pick a song or two yes they do Lord they get me off so much They pick me up when I'm feeling blue, now how bout you? Sweet home Alabama Where the skies are so blue Sweet home Alabama Lord, I'm coming home to you Sweet home Alabama, oh sweet home Where the skies are so blue and the governor's true Sweet home Alabama Lord, I'm coming home to you." They all laughed, happy to have something to do other than look at the millions of trees passing them by.

"We make a good group!" Kaylie smiled, elbowing Brian. "I'm surprised that even Brian knows that one."

"Everyone knows that." He rolled his eyes. "It's like the most famous song in history."

John chuckled, shaking his head. "It only came out ten years ago." He strummed a few more chords. "What next?" He smiled as everyone shouted out a different song. "Pick one!" He laughed.

Amelia looked up at him, her big eyes shining with innocence. "Can we do Time After Time?"

John looked over at Claire, knowing that she knew all the lyrics better than he did. "Do you mind, Sweets?"

She shook her head, starting to sing as he played. Her voice was like a angel's, carrying through the bus with the grace of God. "Lying in my bed I hear the clock tick and think of you Caught up in circles Confusion is nothing new Flashback, warm nights Almost left behind Suitcases of memories Time after."

John smiled, not believing how lucky he was to have found her. His fingers barely felt the strings beneath them as he played, he let Claire's voice flow though him, letting her take over his movements. His fingers found the perfect speed to play, keeping time with her words.

"Sometimes you picture me I'm walking too far ahead You're calling to me, I can't hear What you've said Then you say, go slow I fall behind The second hand unwinds." She watched as John closed his eyes, knowing that he was going into his own world, where nothing mattered but the music. It was the only place he could escape from his addictions, and she was always happy when he did. It was the only time that the true John was able to show, the only time his mind allowed him to live as a normal kid, without fear or cravings. She knew the pain he lived with each day, but she also knew that he had found a way to fight it with each moment he played and sang. "If you're lost you can look and you will find me
Time after time If you fall I will catch you, I will be waiting Time after time If you're lost you can look and you will find me Time after time If you fall I will catch you, I will be waiting Time after time After my picture fades and darkness has Turned to gray Watching through windows You're wondering if I'm okay Secrets stolen from deep inside The drum beats out of time If you're lost you can look and you will find me Time after time If you fall I will catch you, I will be waiting Time after time You said go slow I fall behind The second hand unwinds If you're lost you can look and you will find me Time after time If you fall I will catch you, I'll be waiting Time after time If you're lost you can look and you will find me Time after time If you fall I will catch you, I'll be waiting Time after time, Time after time, Time after time, Time after time, Time after time, Time after time, Time after time, Time after Time." She pressed a kiss to his cheek as he strummed the last chords. "I love you." She whispered into his ear, feeling him shift to press a kiss of his own to her lips.

"I love you more."

Amelia stuck her tongue out, wrinkling her nose as they kissed. "Gross!" She exclaimed, making the whole bus erupt in laughter.