Disclaimer: Everything belongs to the respected owners. No copy write intended.
Chapter 7
I sigh as I strum the first few cords and let the lyrics flow out smoothly as the guys listen quietly. My eyes close as I start singing. This song having an effect before I even start.
'Little boy, six years old
A little too used to being alone'
I feel some on shift closer to me and know automatically that its Johnny.
'Another new mom and dad
Another school, another house that will never be home
When people ask him how he likes this place
He looks up and says with a smile upon his face
This is my temporary home, it's not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I'm passing through
This is just a stop on the way to where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know
This is my temporary home'
I fell another presence sift closer, but I have no clue who it would be.
'Young mom, on her own
She needs a little help, got nowhere to go
She's looking for a job, looking for a way out
'Cause a halfway house will never be a home
At night she whispers to her baby girl
Someday we'll find our place here in this world
This is our temporary home, it's not where we belong
Windows and rooms that we're passing through
This is just a stop on the way to where we're going
I'm not afraid because I know
This is our temporary home'
I feel the tears start to swell up in my eyes but force them back. I will not let these guys see me cry.
'Old man, hospital bed
The room is filled with people he loves
And he whispers
Don't cry for me, I'll see you all someday
He looks up and says
I can see God's face'
I can't hold them back anymore. My voice never cracking or wavering, but tears stream down my face.
'This is my temporary home, it's not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I'm passing through
This was just a stop on the way to where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know
This was my temporary home
This is our temporary home'
A sob escapes me lips as I think about my dad and the long days and nights with him. How he died a bit more everyday but never let me see him without a smile. I feel my guitar being taken from me and I wrap my arms tightly around myself, curling into a ball as I cry. I'm lifted from my seat before being sat down on something firm, but warm and comforting. I realized it's someone's lap when their arms go around me and they make shushing noises, rocking me back and forth.
It took me a good two hours before I had stopped crying completely. I finally sit up and look to find that Darry had been the one to comfort me. His face is soft as he reaches out to wipe away all traces of tears from my cheeks. I look at my lap, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I'm sorry."
"It's alright Esmeralda. It's alright to cry."
"It's just… that song is sort of my life so far. Moving from place to place. Not having a real home. Dad…dad dying." I feel more tears well up in my eyes. Have I not cried my eyes completely dry yet?
Darry places his forehead on mine, his large rough hand holding my face. "No. Don't. It breaks my heart to see you cry Esmeralda."
I look into his eyes. "Darry?..."
He smiles softly, rubbing my cheek with the pad of his thumb. "You're beautiful. I thought that the moment I saw you. Laughing with my kid brother and friends with ketchup on your cheek." I blush at that. Stupid Steve had busted a ketchup packet and it had gotten everywhere. I must have missed my cheek. " You told me you had no place to stay and I just couldn't stand the thought of something happening to you even then. You told me about your past and I know the guys told you some of ours. Your singing is amazing, hell your voice itself is, and you can cook better than anyone I've ever met. Esmeralda…I think I've fallen for you. I know I have."
"Oh Darry." I press my lips to his softly in a kiss and pull back with a smile, his own sparkling back up at me. "That's the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me. I just…Darry this feels like home. Sitting with Johnny on the porch I couldn't help but feel like I was finally home. I'm not sure if it's because I have feelings for you or if it's just loving the gang here in Tulsa, but I don't want to leave."
Darry pulls me into a hug and rubs my hair. "Then don't. Stay here. With me."