Writing Prompts #2 – finish the story "The First Cut"

So several years ago I told Golden I was struggling to find something worthy of writing about that I could put on this blog. She got me these books. During a cleaning binge recently I found them and decided to dust them off and actually use them. Here’s attempt Number 2 this time from the Complete the Story book. I admit I didn't know where this one was going when I started but here it is with a little help from Chat GPT when I got a little stuck. Who knows maybe I'll make this a weekly or monthly thing. 

The prompt:

I stopped for a breath before cutting the turkey. I wanted to appreciate the moment. Seeing everyone there, sitting around the table, almost felt like we were a family again. It's a shame it can't always feel like that.

The story:                                                                The First Cut

I stopped for a breath before cutting the turkey. I wanted to appreciate the moment. Seeing everyone there, sitting around the table, almost felt like we were a family again. It's a shame it can't always feel like that. For a second, no one said anything. Just the clinking of glasses, the soft creak of chairs as everyone settled into their seats. Aunt May caught my eye and gave me a small nod, her smile tight but genuine. Even Uncle Dan had traded his usual scowl for a neutral expression — a small miracle in itself.

I pressed the carving knife into the golden skin and began slicing, the scent of rosemary and butter rising like steam from a memory. “So,” Mom said suddenly, breaking the silence, “does anyone remember when Jason dropped the turkey in ‘06?”

A few chuckles rippled around the table. Jason groaned. “I knew that was coming.”

“You tripped over your own shoelaces,” Cousin Claire added, laughing. “The bird went flying like a UFO.”

The tension broke a little. Laughter filled the gaps. I even saw Dad smile — really smile — for the first time in months. Jason lifted his voice over all the laughing, “hey we all still ate it once we cleaned it off!”

But just beneath the surface, I felt the weight of everything we weren’t saying. The reasons we’d drifted. The empty chair where Grandma used to sit. The unspoken arguments, the silences that used to last for days. Still, I kept carving. Piece by piece. Hoping, maybe foolishly, that this year would be different. Or at least… that it could be a start.

The chair at the end of the table stayed empty, though we’d still set it. Just habit, maybe. Or maybe because no one wanted to admit it out loud — that Grandma wasn’t coming home for Thanksgiving this year.

“She called this morning,” Mom said, passing the rolls with forced cheer. “Said the nurses let her watch the parade in the rec room. She liked the big Snoopy balloon. Said it was awfully quite around there today.”

No one responded at first. We just nodded, like we were all silently filing the information away somewhere — grateful for the update but unsure what to do with it and a little guilty they weren't there with her.

“She ask about us?” I asked finally, not looking up from the turkey.

“She always does.” Mom's smile faltered for half a second, just enough for me to catch it.

Grandma had been in rehab for three weeks now. After the fall. After the hospital. After the way her hands had started shaking so badly she could barely lift a spoon.

We’d all visited. At least once. But it didn’t feel the same. She didn’t feel the same.

“She’ll be back,” Jason said suddenly, surprising everyone. “For Christmas, probably.”

We all looked at him, and for a second I wanted to believe it too. But the way Mom looked down at her plate told a different story. We all looked at him. It was the first real thing he’d said all day, and his voice had that edge — the kind he got when he’d already made up his mind about something. At 22 years old he was still in that I know everything mindset without really knowing anything at all. He was scheduled to return to school for finals in a few days and then have a bit of a break. He was not planning on getting a job during his break but he also hadn’t gotten a job during summer break either.

I set the carving knife down. It wasn’t time to get into it.

“She might,” Mom said carefully. “We don’t know yet.”

Jason cleared his throat. “Actually, I wanted to say something.” He pushed back his chair just enough to make it squeak — that same old anxious tic from childhood. “I’m going to finish this semester but I’m not going back to school next semester,” he said. “I’ve decided to move in with Grandma. Help out with her so she can come back to her house. I’ll be there if she needs anything. You know, just—make sure she is taken care of, not alone.”

Silence.

Aunt May was the first to react. She set down her wine glass — hard enough that the base echoed off the table.

“Jason, no. Absolutely not.” Her voice was firm, the kind that left no room for argument — or tried not to. “That’s not your job. You’re 22. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you. I’m afraid if you don’t go back to school you’ll never get your degree.”

“She doesn’t have much ahead of her,” Jason said quietly. “And she was there for me when no one else was. So… yeah. It is my job. School will be there … after…maybe.”

Aunt May leaned back, arms crossed, eyes sharp, deciding to not ignore the elephant in the room any longer. “Jason, she’s not coming home. Not really. I’ve talked to her doctors. They’re not going to say it outright, but—this is it. That place is her home now.”

Uncle Dan stared at the floor like this was a talk he had heard before, Mom looked like she wanted to say something but stayed silent, even the cousins stopped fidgeting eyes flicking between Jason and Aunt May. This was something they all knew was a possibility, but it hadn’t really been decided yet at least not as a family. 

“I don’t care what the doctors think,” Jason said. “she’s coming home. She just needs time, care, and SUPPORT.”

“It’s not about what she says,” May snapped. “She’s confused. She doesn’t even remember what year it is half the time.”

That landed like a slap. Jason’s jaw tightened. “She remembers me. I’ve visited her every day since I got home. We laugh. She tells me stories, she remembers it’s just harder for her to voice it sometimes. I painted her nails once, changed her when she made a mess, and helped her wash her hair. I can do this!”

A long pause followed. No one realized he had been visiting her every day since he got home. The turkey was getting cold. The cranberry sauce sat untouched. Finally, Dad muttered, “Maybe we should all just eat.”

But the air had changed. Something had cracked.

Jason shifted in his seat, clearly trying to hold his ground, but something in his posture had changed. Like the armor was starting to slip. “I’m not trying to be a hero,” he said, quieter now. “It just makes sense. She needs someone. I’ve got the time.”

Aunt May wasn’t buying it. “You also don’t have a job, Jason. Or a plan. That’s what this is about, isn’t it?” Her tone was sharp but not unkind — just tired. “This is easier than figuring out what you actually want.”

Jason’s eyes darted to Mom, maybe hoping for a lifeline. She stayed neutral, which was somehow worse.

“I do want this,” he insisted, but the words hung a little hollow, "she needs this ... she needs .. ME!"

“You don’t want to go back to school,” May said flatly. “And you don’t want to admit you have no idea what comes next. So taking care of Grandma gives you an out. You get to say you’re doing something important, and maybe you are — but it also means you don’t have to do anything else.”

He didn’t deny it.

I watched him shrink a little in his seat, not defeated, just... exposed. There was no speech coming. No big defense.

“I don’t know what I’m doing,” he admitted. “I’m not like you guys. I don’t have this big plan. School felt like pretending. I’d sit in class and feel like I was watching someone else’s life happen. It's not that it is hard it just feels like I'm drifting and I could be drifting or I could be with Grandma who needs someone. At least around her I feel like I matter.”

That quieted the table.

Even May seemed to soften, if only slightly. “You do matter. But you can’t pour your whole self into someone who’s already halfway out the door. That’s not saving her. That’s getting stuck. You do realize it could be 6 months, 2 years, 5 years, we just don't know.”

Jason looked down at his plate. He didn’t say anything else.

The turkey was finally being passed around again, but everything tasted different now. The conversations started back up about daily life, and a discussion about the big game coming up. They all felt that this was a return to a semi normal holiday lunch, but it felt like a calm before another storm. 

Once dinner was over and the plates had been cleared away many retreated to the living room to watch football, play cards, work on a puzzle together. The kids went into the yard to play. Jason quietly slipped out of the house cause he couldn’t let the day go by without going to see his grandmother. During clean up he fixed her a plate of all of her favorite things it was time for him to deliver it to her.

She scarfed down the plate of food like she hadn’t eaten in days and thanked him for it as she did. He told her who all was at lunch and how it wasn’t the same without her there. When she asked if anyone else was coming to visit he had to admit he didn’t know. As she finished her lunch he removed her plate and sat back on the edge of the bed. The fluorescent lights buzzed faintly overhead as Jason sat by the edge of Grandma’s bed, holding her hand gently in both of his. Her fingers, once strong and quick with crochet hooks, and casserole dishes, now trembled softly as they rested in his. It was time to tell her.

“You’re looking better,” Jason said, trying to smile. “Way better than the other day at least. Your color is coming back.”

Grandma smiled back, a little lopsided but still hers. “They’ve got me doing leg lifts. Nasty little things. But I’m strong.” She tapped her knee. “Still got some kick left. I walked down the hall and back this morning! They wanted me to use that blasted wheelchair but I wanted to see if I could do it.”

Jason nodded. He was quiet for a long moment after that. Then he drew a breath, shaky and too loud in the small room. “I wanted to tell you something,” he said, his voice cracking a little. “I… I can’t move in with you. When you get out.”

Her face fell slowly, like a curtain dropping.

“I thought maybe I could,” he went on, eyes flicking away. “But they’re saying it’s not safe. That I’m not ready for that kind of responsibility. That I might do more harm than good. I just… I wanted to believe we could make it work.”

Grandma didn’t answer right away. Her eyes filled, not sudden and dramatic, but slow — the kind of tears that come from somewhere deep, old, tired. “So I won’t be going home,” she said softly.

Jason swallowed hard. “I don’t know.”

“But I won’t.” She nodded a little, like she was confirming it to herself. “They’ve been telling me that. I just didn’t want to hear it unless it came from you.”

“I’m sorry.” His voice was small now. “I really wanted to be there for you.”

She squeezed his hand with what strength she had left. “You are here for me.”

Neither of them saw Aunt May standing in the doorway.

She’d come to drop off some fresh socks and books and it never even dawned on her to bring a plate, which she saw on the side table and knew Jason had to have brought it. When she saw the two of them — the way Jason sat slumped forward, head bowed in quiet shame, the way Grandma looked at him like he was the last bright thread of a fading world — she froze. Something inside her shifted. Because suddenly, she remembered all the times she hadn’t been there — too busy, too tired, too practical. All the holidays she left early cause something “important” came up, the times she put work over family, the times she frankly didn’t have time for the drama. The calls she sent to voicemail. The she thought of how her grandmother had never done that to her. Of the times Grandma had shown up to help with the kids during school breaks, the meals she’d bring over cause she frankly didn’t want to eat alone and grandpa was off somewhere, the mess that she would clean up or laundry she would take over — all without being asked. And Jason, awkward and lost as he was, had noticed what she hadn’t. And now here he was — not hiding. Not running. Just sitting with someone who was fading, refusing to let her go invisible.

Quietly, May stepped back from the door and wiped her face with the sleeve of her coat before she walked in.

“Hey,” she said softly, as she entered the room,  “Mind if I join you guys?”

Jason looked up, surprised. Grandma smiled through her tears. May pulled a chair over and sat on the other side of the bed. She reached out, took Grandma’s other hand, and for once didn’t say anything practical at all. They just sat there. Three generations. Nothing solved, nothing fixed — but for the first time, something was shared.

-------

The morning Jason left for finals, the sky was still that pale winter gray that makes everything feel half-asleep.

He stood in the driveway, stuffing his duffel into the backseat of his beat-up Honda. May was already outside, holding a travel mug in one hand and a manila folder in the other — her version of a goodbye gift.

“I threw in a gas card and a few gift cards so you won’t starve. Study hard but don’t forget to take care of yourself,” she said, handing over the folder. “oh and I also printed out a study guide from one of those sites I know you don’t actually use.”

Jason grinned, a little sheepishly. “Thanks, Aunt May.” They stood there for a second, the air between them filled with all the words they’d already said — and the quiet relief of knowing they didn’t need to repeat them.

“I’ll check in on her while you’re gone,” May said, more gently than she normally spoke. “Every couple of days at least if not more.”

Jason nodded. “You don’t have to—”

“I want to,” she cut in. Then, after a beat, “You were right, by the way. She was always there. I just never let myself notice it.”

Jason didn’t say anything. He just hugged her — a little stiff at first, then solid. Then he jumped in his car and backed out of the driveway.

The nursing home was quiet later that week when May sat down with the doctors. They gave her their professional opinion: it was too risky. The house wasn’t equipped. There was a fall risk. There were care needs. They weren’t wrong. But May had made up her mind.

“She wants to go home,” she said. “I want to give her that. Even if it’s not forever. Even if it’s just for a little while.”

The paperwork was tedious, the calls endless, the modifications to the house a headache. But somehow, it all got done. A borrowed hospital bed. A home nurse two days a week. Rails on the stairs. Meals in the freezer.

And when Jason came back, road-weary and sleep-deprived but somehow a little taller, a little clearer — the front door opened, and there she was.

Sitting in the living room. Wrapped in her favorite blue cardigan. The afternoon sun spilling through the lace curtains. Her photos back on the mantle. Her life — pieced together, if imperfectly — in its rightful place.

“Surprise,” May said from the kitchen, drying her hands on a dish towel. “Don’t get excited. It’s still trial and error.”

Jason just stared. Then he walked over to Grandma and knelt beside her, taking her hand. “You’re home.”

She smiled, eyes glistening. “I told you I would be.”

Behind him, May leaned against the doorframe and watched as her mother’s frail hand rested in Jason’s steady one. She still wasn’t sure this would work. But for once, she didn’t need certainty. She just needed this moment — this return, this connection, this choice — and for now, that was enough. Jason walked over and hugged her, quiet but saying everything at the same time.

A few weeks later the house smelled like cinnamon and cloves, like pine needles and roast turkey. Snow had fallen the night before, blanketing the yard in soft white that seemed to hush the whole world.

Christmas lights blinked gently around the window frames. Someone had set Grandma’s old ceramic tree on the sideboard, its tiny colored bulbs glowing like candy. Holiday music played faintly in the background — the old stuff, the records she loved to hum along with, that Jason has started learning by heart singing along with her as they played. It took some doing but Grandma sat at the head of the table, wrapped in a quilt she’d sewn decades ago. Her breathing was slower now, and her frame seemed smaller every time Jason looked at her — but her eyes sparkled brighter than they had in years. She looked out over her table with all the glit and glitter that a festive holiday occasion called for and took stock in her family surrounding her and quietly thanked God for a wonderful life. The chaos and laughter and clink of glasses that came with a big family meal had all returned to this house, even just for today. Her house. Her family. She was home.

Jason stood beside her, watching carefully as she reached for the carving knife. Her hand trembled as she gripped the handle. Then she looked up at him, her eyes meeting his.

“I think it’s your turn, sweetheart,” she said, and handed him the knife.

He took it gently, both hands, as if it were something sacred. Maybe it was.

Everyone grew quiet for a moment as he stood there, looking around the table — at May, who gave him the smallest nod, at Mom, at his cousins, all of them waiting, breathing in something tender and unspoken.

“I want to thank you all,” Jason said. “For being here. For showing up. For letting today be about joy, not sadness. That’s what she wanted. That’s what we all needed.”

Grandma smiled, a single tear slipping down her cheek. Not from grief — from fullness. Jason turned back to the turkey and slowly, carefully, made the first cut. A moment passed. Then another. And just like that, the room exhaled as he started passing around the slices and mentioned that time he dropped the turkey.

Laughter started again. More plates were passed, wine was consumed. Stories flowed like cider. For that one afternoon  it was not about endings. It was about everything that had ever mattered before and everything that would come tomorrow cause there would be a tomorrow and time only knew how long they would have for days like this.

Well there you go ... .what did you think ?! Anyone.... Buller?! Buller ?! IYKYK :) 

Marcy

Writing Prompt Challenge #1 If you could ban something what would you ban?

So several years ago I told Golden I was struggling to find something worthy of writing about that I could put on this blog. She got me these books. During a cleaning binge recently I found them and decided to dust them off and actually use them. Who knows  maybe one day I’ll pull up Chat GPT and see what they want me to write about and lord knows I have opinions about that too.

 So today being July 6^th I decided to go with any prompt on the 6^th of the month. I went with the “A 5 Year Question A Day Memory Journal” tho I did flip through the “Complete The Story” book and found a few interesting ones but none I felt like diving into today. That’s for another post I guess.

So today’s prompt is “If you could ban something right now, what would it be?” and I found that interesting cause just yesterday a friend of mine and I were debating a “boycott” that was being called on a site that helps DIYers sell their wares. I won’t share the site but you likely know which one I’m talking about. It’s one of those sites where you can make up a bunch of whatever, create an “online store” and people can buy your goods. They could be tshirts, bags, crochet patterns, jewelry, personalized gifts, vintage items, whatever you want, then you simply set up an online store pretty easily and wait for the orders to come sliding in. Many have made a nice little business through this site, others use it as a side hustle. Either way it’s a good thing. People are allowed to be creative and people who want to support creative people can easily do so. Win .. Win. . .  Right?!  

The problem is that this site has started selling some pretty political wares aimed at a very particular party and supporters of said party are snatching up those trinkets showing there was definite demand for said supply. People are not happy. They think this particular site, shouldn’t have allowed them to have a store to begin with. That the site should take those items down. People were threatening to take down their shops, to move their products elsewhere. Those are likely the same people who say if so and so wins I’m going to move to xxx (fill in blank country”.

Look I get it … is it in bad taste … yeah it is. Are these people just branding themselves by making it, buying it and God forbid wearing it in public. 100% but should they not be allowed to sell the product on this website …. That’s just absurd. I mean this brand made an account just like everyone else, posted their goods just like everyone else and people are willing to pay for said items. I’ve never understood that mentality of if I don’t like it then it shouldn’t be out there. Is it tasteless … well yeah. Does it put a scarlet letter on those that buy the items, yes – frankly let’s make it easier to spot these people, but at the end of the day it’s a legit business with legit merchandise. If they boycott it cause they don’t like it and convince the site to take it down what’s not to say that other stores can’t face the same “backlash.” That being said all this “boycott” did was highlight that these items were in fact for sale.

Politics aside cause I said from day 1 I wasn’t going to get into that here, you can do whatever you want and you can listen to which ever side you want but remember that anyone and everyone can also make an argument against or for whatever and all of it needs to be taken with a grain of salt. So I guess my answer to the prompt … “If you could ban something right now, what would it be?” … would be unnecessary banning of things and the cancel culture plaguing our lives at the moment.

Marcy

AmWriting "My Fault"

So I started this story the other day, it buried itself into my brain and wouldn't let go until I got it out .... and since one of my goal is to write more ... I decided to post it here. Some of my issues with writing of late is that I write it, save it, then close the word file, moving on with my life thinking, well that was pointless. Without have an end game for the story a place to share it, a purpose for its existence it makes it seem silly. Like learning a musical instrument in your 40s. So I'm going to use this blog for some of that. Maybe you'll read it and enjoy it maybe you won't but at least it's no longer a file on my computer sitting useless. So ... here goes ...

My Fault

David sat in his chair, a drink in his hand, lights turned off, and remote in his other hand, when there was a knock on his door. He sat his drink down, “it's open” he yelled as he muted the TV with a sigh.

His cousin’s wife Ann walked in, slightly taken back by his appearance, and sat down across from him as she tried not to show it, “So….how’s it going?” he noticed her glance around the room.

He grinned, likely for the first time in days, “Really? That’s what you are going with… ‘how’s it going’ he paused, “You do realize how lame that is, right?!”

She, reached for his drink, leaned back in the chair, “yeah whatever …the point is still the same, how are you?” She took a sip of his drink, “Pepsi?”

“I’m not over here drinking myself into a stupor, I’m better than that.” She raised an eyebrow, “yeah, ok I’m not, but you caught me on a good night. I spent a full week completely toasted and it didn’t help so I’m trying the other spectrum.” Then he smirked again, “Yes, you may have some of my drink. Since you asked.”

“There he is, that’s who I’ve been looking for.” She handed him back his drink, “Look I know this isn’t easy, I guess the reason I’m here, is to ….” She paused, leaned forward, placed her hand on his knee “I’m here.”

“I know. I appreciate it, really I do.” He looked towards the TV as the show he was watching started to come back on, “Wanna watch with me?” He half hoped she’d decline and leave and the other part of him hoped she’d stay. He wasn’t sure which part he wanted to win, but it was kind of nice talking to someone, he had forgotten what his voice sounded like.

She didn’t answer, but got up and moved to sit in the chair closer to him and reached for his hand. He took it and squeezed it as they settled in to watch.

A few months ago, if she had come by, there would have been food in the kitchen, music playing from the stereo, or more likely his phone, and the TV would have been long forgotten. A few months ago, he was happy, he was engaged to the most beautiful woman in the world and had his entire life planned out ready for him to live it. A few months ago, she wouldn’t have come over alone, but would have brought his cousin, Chris, with her and they would have spent an evening in conversation, laughter, and fun games. A few months ago, everything was different.

He remembered the first time he brought Karen home to meet Chris and Ann. He wasn’t sure who was more nervous Ann or Karen. He laughed a little to himself when he remembered telling Karen afterwards that he would have won that title easily as they made their way home. They had been dating for nearly a year, but he didn’t want to introduce her until he knew he they were serious about each other. Why put her through the scrutiny if she wasn’t the one he reasoned. They walked in the house and Chris was outback grilling steaks. Ann handed Karen a glass of wine and sent David outside, “Go she’ll be fine… I don’t bite …hard!” He glanced at Karen who replied, “I have no problem biting back!” Both laughed, and he kissed her on the head as he went towards the back door. As she closed it behind him he yelled, “Best behavior Ann!”

“What’s that about?” Chris said looking up. 

“I think I was kicked out of your house so your wife could interrogate my date!”

He laughed, “You really should have seen that coming!” then turning to the mini fridge on the deck, “Have a beer.” “So…..”

David laughed, “So…..” They have always had very easy conversation often holding long conversations barely saying a word to one another. They were roughly the same age with Chris being 6 months older, but David was taller. They were as close as brothers and despite the fact they had different moms looked like brothers too. “She’s a great girl, you are going to like her. If you don’t … keep it to yourself”

He flipped the steaks, “Deal.” They both knew that Ann was the camel, if Karen didn’t win her over then it was an uphill battle no matter who else liked her. They talked football while waiting on the steaks to finish. David kept glancing through the window to see the two laughing with one another. 

It was a wonderful night, a little awkward at times, but everyone seemed to get along and that’s what was important to David. He didn’t need them to all be best friends out of the gate, but he needed them to all get along since they would spent a lot of time together down the road. At one point he saw Chris grinning at Karen as she told a story about her dog and he caught Amy grinning at him with a small nod of approval at what she was hearing. They would become fast friends and the four of them became very close in a short span of time. When David finally popped the question Amy was the first person Karen told, Chris having already known for weeks that it was coming.

They both watched in silence as the comedy on TV played out in front of them, he was starring at the box but not really taking it in and she kept stealing glances at him. She also noticed a pile of mail unopened, and a computer covered in a thin layer of dust. He was nesting and had cut himself off from everything even she and Chris. The cell phone, that she has been desperately trying to connect with him late laid discarded on the other side of the room, she couldn’t tell if it still had battery or not. He looked good, tired, but good. She glanced at him again and this time he caught her, “Chris said to say hi if I got to talk to you. So "HI!" He’s working tonight but … well he’s worried about you too. We’ve been trying to call but you aren’t answering.” Gesturing to the phone, “You can’t do that you know.”

“I do.” As he continued to stare at the TV. “I haven’t had much to say, and then my phone died. It was nothing personal, honest.”

She ignored that, “There’s this cool device they have now, I’ll see if I can get you one, you plug one end into the wall and the other end into your phone and like magic it keeps it charged for you so that the battery won’t die.” She smiled as the said it hoping he’d laugh.

“I’ve heard of those, there might be one around here somewhere, seemed easier to not though.” He didn’t laugh.

The show came back on and she was lost in thought. This had been going on for over a month and frankly it scared her.

No matter what has happened in their lives they’ve dealt with it together, Chris was his rock and she knew David was Chris’ rock. If they weren’t going to reach out to one another she’d be that bridge. She had the night free and decided she’d come over. Not really expecting to find this. She didn’t know what to expect, but it wasn’t this. She knew he was hurting, she knew he was pulling away she didn’t know what to do about it. She wished Chis was here, he told her to give him time. “He’ll come to us when he’s ready Amy, you have to respect that.”

She glanced around the room again only to realize that any remembrance of her was gone, no photographs, no books, no clothing. A shadow box that she made after their last vacation was gone from the wall. Then she noticed the boxes in the hallway. He had purged her from the house. She felt helpless to help him through this and felt as his friend it was her duty to see him to the other side of his heartbreak, somehow.

Shortly after college Amy and Chris broke up, they fought for weeks before deciding that it was just too much effort to be together. They boxed up their stuff and went their separate ways figuring they’d never see one another again.  She moved in with her best friend from College until she figured out what to do next. They were having dinner one night when a knock at the door scared them both since they weren’t expecting anyone.

She was shocked to see David behind the peep hole. He knew she was looking and waved. She opened the door but didn’t invite him in as it started to rain.

“Hey…” he said as he buried his hands in his jacket pockets. “I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d come by and see how you were doing.” She didn’t say anything so he just stood there as it started raining harder, “Um… can I come in ?”

“Oh yeah of course, please come in. We were just eating dinner, it’s just spaghetti but would you like a plate?!” As she moved out of the way to let him in.

“No, I’m good I’ve already eaten, I didn’t mean to interrupt your dinner, please sit back down and eat while it’s hot.” He pulled her chair back out and gestured to her to sit down. She took her seat her friend still sitting in hers. No way in the world was she leaving this conversation if she could help it.

“So….how’s it going?” she grinned as she took a big bite.

“I’m good, work is good, life is good …… look … I’m not going to waste your time. Is it really over…. Cause … Chris is a mess. He’s angry with himself that you guys go to this point but he has no idea how to make this better cause you won’t talk to him. What can we do to fix this?”

“We?”

“Hey I’m part of this relationship too, I introduced you guys after all. If you don’t make it my relationship quota goes back down to none. I have a reputation I’m trying to build here.”

She smiled and put her fork down, “look David, I appreciate…”

He cut her off, “no …. No I won’t leave here without a solution for this. The two of you belong together, he’s an idiot and no one knows that better than me. He’s a better man when you are around, he thinks more about the world, he’s more focused and driven when you are around. He needs you. He can’t breathe when you aren’t around, he’s constantly at near panic attack mode. I’m not saying that’s a positive, but it’s the truth. I hate seeing him like this and I know the solution is you two getting back together. I know you guys have problems, but if you can’t work them out what’s the hope for the rest of us? He makes you better too by the way. He relaxes you, he shows you there is more to life than work and you need him too. Will you just talk to him and see if there’s anything there to salvage?!”

She was taken back by his bluntness, she glanced at her friend who shrugged, “He’s not wrong. You guys are great together and short of something catastrophic you should at least try to work it out.”

He walked over to her friend, “I like her, why don’t we hang out with her more.”

She didn’t know what to say. She still loved Chris and David was right she needed him as much as he needed her. When she didn’t reply he got down on his knee to be on her level, “what was the fight about?” she honestly couldn’t remember. “Please Ann just have coffee with him. Tomorrow 9am?”

She agreed, and they got back together around 9:05 and were married a few months later. David, the best man, gave a fantastic speech about how he made this night happen and was solely responsible for their happiness which made the room laugh and the two of them nod in agreement. She had looked forward to watching him on this journey finding the love of his life, marriage, kids, and felt cheated that he wasn’t going to have that at least for now. There had been other girlfriends but none that made his face light up the way Karen did. None who put that sparkle in his eye just by saying her name in his presence.

The show continued, neither really caring about the show, but it gave them a chance to talk during commercials and not have to deal with awkward pauses.  When the show ended she squeezed his hand again, “well I’m going to go, please charge your phone, and check in every once in a while.”

She walked over to his phone and plugged it in for him, then started out the door when he said quietly, “it’s all my fault.”

“I’m sorry what?”

“It was …. my fault.”

“Please do not be stupid, you can’t possibly think that is true.” As she made her way back over to him.

“She was due to come home two days later. I missed her. I asked her to come home early. Had I never called her on that stupid phone, she’d be sitting here with us now.” That was the first time he said out loud the words that had been bouncing around in his head for weeks. “I was bored and missed her and now I’ll never talk to her again.” She wrapped him in her arms, no words for him as he sobbed into her shoulder.

She had no idea how to react “Darlin, you can’t do that to yourself.” He lifted his head and looked her in the eyes, “how can I not?” tears streaming down his face.

Seeing that face she was reminded of the day he got the call, on the same phone she suddenly realized that she had just set to charge. He had joined them for lunch after church and was about to leave to go pick her up at the airport when his phone rang. She and Chris were arguing about something, she couldn’t remember what now, and when he answered they both sensed the room change. He turned white as a ghost, grabbed Chris’ shoulder, said he’d be right there. The two of them took off out the door without speaking, she ran to grab her shoes to join them. By the time she got to the door they were gone. Chris told her later how awful it was walking into the hospital looking for Karen only to be told she had just taken her last breath. They were told that the pilot over shot the runway and the plane crashed as it was trying to land, there were few survivors. They missed talking to her by less than 5 minutes.  A few months ago, everything was different now it may never be the same.

You know ... I'm not sure why most of my stories end with someone leaving or dying but there ya go.... What did you all think?

Marcy (@beaslma)   

A Royal Musical Journey – conclusion – original fiction

This isn’t the post I had planned for today, yes that’s right I’m really trying to get back into this blogging thing. However I finally got the Haley and Michael’s story out of my head and onto a screen. I thought I’d wait and post it tomorrow but decided life is short …why wait?! So here it is … the conclusion of this Royal journey which I realized while doing this that each “main” character has been a focus on each story which is kind of cool. The first one Dreams,Music, and the Royal family was from Kate’s point of view, the second Connections was from Harry’s, the third A Royal Welcome (my favorite) was from Shannon’s and this one is from Ryan’s point of view (a four part story...who saw that coming ha!). That was a happy accident and I hope it didn’t make it too disjointed.

If you want to read from the beginning links to the other stories are in the paragraph above. It’s not necessary to understand the story but makes it more fun.  I must restate how odd it is that I’ve even chose this as my “muse” I don’t know Shannon or Ryan and I certainly don't know any of the Royal family, heck I've never even shown a big interest in the comings and goings of the Royal family, yet I find myself thinking about this story long after I’ve left the keyboard. I hope Ryan and Shannon don’t think I’m crazy, I doubt that the Royal Family even knows I exist.

This one ended up longer than I had anticipated and I’ve actually cut a lot of it out so stick with me if you can. So anyway …. Here it is …. Enjoy

A Royal Musical Journey

Ryan never gets tired of stepping onto a stage, never gets tired of watching the love of his life standing nearby singing her heart out, never gets tired of the feel of a guitar in his hands and knowing that he can make it do things others only dream of. It was a New Year’s Eve show, something they said they wouldn’t do as holidays are for family, but when Hoda calls you say yes … principles be damned.

They finished their song during the New Year’s Eve festivities and sat down to talk with Hoda and Kathie Lee for a few moments as part of their year-end special and as most of their interviews of late tend to do the conversation turned to their involvement with the Royal Foundation and their most successful fundraiser to date. They showed a montage of the event and Ryan was instantly transported by the memories made in those two weeks.

It started with Ryan watching Shannon walk down the hallway of Heathrow Airport on the arm of the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry carrying Ryan’s bag behind them. Ryan wanted someone to stop and take his picture, where the hell are the paparazzi when you need them he thought. The Prince of England is carrying my bag for goodness sakes someone take our picture!!!!

“Man you guys sure know how to pack light.” Harry said as he walked behind Kate and Shannon.

“Shannon’s bags are somewhere between here and the States. The airline is looking for them, those are mine.” Ryan informed him as he carried his other bag filled with his clothes. 

“Man, two weeks in a single pair of jeans is not going to be fun! However, Kate loves a good reason to shop we might end up with an afternoon just the boys. Actually, that sounds fun!” As they walked out the door of the airport and up to the car.

Harry handed over Ryan’s bag to be placed in the trunk then climbed into the car behind everyone else. Once again Ryan looked around and no paps in sight. Part of him was bummed yet he was also oddly impressed they just walked out of a busy airport unnoticed with two of the most recognizable royals.

“Did Shannon tell you they lost her luggage?” Harry reported as he settled into his seat.

“We were talking about it on the way to the car, I can find her something in my closet for lunch and then we’ll find something for tomorrow night.”

Shannon didn’t want to bother them with this, “It’s ok guys, I’ve got a jacket in Ryan’s bag and can manage I’m sure they will find it soon!” She was slightly freaked out about wearing the Duchess clothes which were always so beautiful.

“We don’t have time to do a shopping run today, but we’ll make time tomorrow if the bag hasn’t turned up yet. We can’t have you meeting the Queen in jeans and a T-shirt now can we?”

Ryan noticing that the idea of meeting the Queen was freaking Shannon out decided to change the subject, “So when do we get to meet these amazing kids we have heard so much about?” he asked glancing over at Harry.

Harry looked a little startled, “A select group will be at the lunch today and others will be at dinner tomorrow night. This weekend we’ll have a less formal “meet and greet” where you’ll really have an opportunity to connect with them.”

Sitting on one side of the car while Kate and Shannon were on the other side Harry started to relax some into the seat. “This event has been exhausting. Don’t get me wrong I’m excited about it, but every time we turn around there’s someone trying to turn it into something that it’s not; from artist, to the kids, and even some of the sponsors, and don’t get me started on the parents. You guys are the first group picked up that hasn’t demanded something, a better hotel, a better timeslot, first pick of the kids they want to work with, some have even asked to get out of working with the kids. Everyone is acting like this is their own personal concert, even the local groups. Frankly it’s starting to get on my last nerve.”

Shannon looked over, “That’s awful, I can’t even put into words what this event means to us, not only cause it allowed us to get to know you guys, but it’s giving us the trip of a lifetime and an opportunity to share our music with a new group of people. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, we’ll be there.”

Harry smiled at her, “We might just take you up on that, I have to warn you a few are already big fans.” Kate grinned, “Harry won’t stop playing the EP at every single event and meeting we’ve had with the kids and volunteers.” Ryan looked at Shannon, this was indeed a fairy tale that he hoped never ended. 

The next day Ryan was standing in the siting room at Buckingham Palace waiting for Shannon to come back downstairs and wishing it would be sooner than later. They were the first to arrive for tonight’s dinner so that Shannon could borrow an outfit from Kate and Ryan felt uncomfortable about being in the room alone almost like he snuck in there. Something about the room and the quiet made him think he’d get in trouble any second and sent back to the car. He stood to walk around the room just to have something to do and was admiring a painting of a beautiful garden when a voice behind him started him.

“It’s even more lovely in person.”

Ryan turned around to see the Duke of Cambridge standing there in a suit that had a little stain on the shoulder. “I bet it is. This painting is amazing too tho.” He reached out his hand, “By the way I’m Ryan, um… Mr. Duke sir”

The Duke laughed “Call me Will everyone else does. My brother and Kate have been so excited for you guys to get here they have talked of little else for over two weeks.”

“We can hardly believe that we are here, Shannon keeps asking me to pinch her! I can’t believe that she’s upstairs borrowing some of Kate’s clothes, thanks for letting her do that. She said she’s really going to feel like a Princess tonight.” 

“HA! Don’t mention it, Kate was especially excited to play stylist for the evening. It’s not often she gets to dictate what someone else is going to wear, well other than me that is. She says picking out a suit gets boring cause the only thing that changes is the tie!”

“Speaking of your suit did you know you have something on the shoulder.”

Moving to a nearby mirror to examine his jacket, he starts rubbing it with a piece of ice from a glass handed to him, “The kids were going to be in bed when we finished tonight so I popped in to say goodnight before I came down.” After fussing with it for a few minutes, “How’s that?”

“Much better. Besides isn’t that basically a dad badge?” William laughed and nodded. Ryan couldn’t believe he was having a normal conversation with the future King of England like they had known each other for years, he decided to take advantage of this moment. “I have to ask you this cause if I don’t I’ll regret it….. Are Harry and Kate really fans or I mean I don’t mean to be crass but I just can’t help waiting on someone to walk up and say the jokes over get out and that would kill Shannon!”

William laughed, “Ever since Kate heard your music she’s been singing it, when she’s cooking, when she’s rocking the kids to sleep, when she’s working out, she has played that EP so many times if it were a record it would be ruined. I have never seen my brother nervous to contact someone and his biggest fear is you guys would turn him down. He’s not used to hearing the word no. Did you know that he and Kate sang We’ll Always Have Mexico to my Grandmother and she is the one that decided you and Shannon needed to sing it not Harry and Kate? They worked on that song for several weeks and she loved it but not coming from them. If you all left now I think they would both go with you!” he said with a smile.

Ryan didn’t know what to say and didn’t have an opportunity to speak as William pointed behind him causing him to turn towards the door. The most beautiful thing he had seen since their wedding day was walking through the door. He didn’t even excuse himself just walked towards Shannon unable to focus on anything or anyone else in the room. “You look amazing!”

“I’m scared to death I’m going to ruin this dress” Shannon said unable to hide the smile on her face. In this dress, she was radiant.

“Honey it’s not the dress, I’ve seen dresses, this dress is garbage without you in it!” Shannon playfully hit him in the arm “Don’t you dare let Kate hear you say that!”

Harry walked up behind Shannon, “He’s not wrong!” winked and walked off.

The rest of the night was a blur of activity and both Ryan and Shannon were surprised that once the evening began and they both relaxed they realized this was exactly where they needed to be. After an amazing dinner there was a small get together that included music and dancing. They met a 12-year-old who had been writing songs since she was 8 and had recently recorded one in a real studio thanks to Prince Harry. She was excited about this opportunity as she wanted to learn how someone got involved in the music industry. Ryan told her it was all luck and hard work but mostly luck. They made plans to get together soon to talk more about the industry. They met another artist from Paris who was looking to move to the states to be the next “Lady Gaga” and hoped to use this event as a platform to do that. It was a 16-year-old however that stole Shannon’s heart.

The young man was standing to the side of the room alone and so Shannon walked over to say hi. The young man told her that his name was Josh and he played guitar. Shannon said she and her husband played as well and started talking to him about some songs they both knew. The boy confessed to Shannon that he felt like he was an imposter and didn’t belong there. Shannon told him she was sure that wasn’t true and that she looked forward to hearing him play. He perked up after that and she sat with him for a long time just watching the room. At one point, she even asked Josh to dance with him. She didn’t realize that Kate was watching from the other side of the room with a huge smile on her face. She didn’t notice that Harry too had noticed what she was doing. None of that mattered to her. She wanted to make this young man comfortable so he could enjoy this evening like everyone else.

On their first totally free day of this trip, Ryan and Shannon arrived at Kensington Palace early that morning the girls were going to go shopping, since Shannon’s bags still hadn’t arrive and the boys were going to do what boys do. Kate was waiting when they walked in and she immediately grabbed Shannon’s arm and headed right back out the door. William was standing in the hallway and yelled towards the door as it closed, “Ok have fun bye!” then he turned to Ryan, “Guess they are in a hurry. Have you eaten breakfast yet?!” They started to turn towards the kitchen when the door flew back open, and Kate rushed up to William gave him a hug and a kiss said bye and left again. Ryan laughed, “guess she forgot something!”

Ryan followed a now blushing William into the kitchen which was filled with activity as the kids were sitting at the table eating breakfast with Ryan guessed the nanny fussing over the baby.

William turned back to Ryan as he took a napkin to clean George’s hands, ”Harry will be here shortly, we figured while the girls were running around we’d do the same.  I thought we could start with a ride around the grounds, show you that garden we talked about last night. It’s not hunting season so no hunting but we’ll still find something to do.”

That afternoon Ryan, Harry and William returned to the Palace exhausted, cold, tired, and hungry. They must have ridden every inch of the estate. Ryan was glad the rest of the day was free as he needed a few minutes to recharge. He didn’t think he’d ever get the picture of ridding across a pasture with William, Harry and George (in Harrys Lap) watching the beautiful scenery around him. They hadn’t planned to take George but once he heard horses were involved there was no way he was going to be left behind. Hearing George laughing from Harry’s horse made bringing him completely worth it.

A little while later Ryan was sitting in the living room of Kensington Palace alone. William had taken George upstairs to get him down for a nap, Harry had run off to make a phone call, and the girls were still shopping. He was almost asleep after the days actives when Harry walked in and sat down in a nearby chair.

“Sorry we left you alone down here”

“No problem, please don’t feel you have to entertain me, if you have something else you need to be doing. I know this is a hectic time for you.”

“yeah that’s why I’m enjoying the excuse to just …. Sit.”  He leans back in the chair stretching out and Ryan realized how tall the young man was as well as how tired he looked.

A few days later it was finally time for Haley and Michaels to take the stage. Shannon and Kate had a surprise for Harry that Shannon had told Ryan about that morning.

As the notes for We’ll Always Have Mexico started to play Ryan faked getting choked up. Kate shoved Harry out onto the stage, and Ryan ran off to look for water as Shannon shoved a microphone in Harry’s hand. She nudged him and he started to sing. Kate and Ryan were off on the edge of the stage laughing and clapping as Harry looked up towards the Queen, Phillip, Charles and William who were all laughing obviously in on the surprise. Harry fell into the song and he and Shannon nailed it as Ryan walked out with a closed bottle of water thanking the Prince for helping him out.

Shannon asked William and Kate to join them on stage, he had come down to close out the festival. Their new friend Josh walked out from the other side of the stage and said “At the afternoon meet and greet you guys held prior to this event Shannon, Ryan and I wrote this song as a thank you to the Royal Foundation for all that they do.” Ryan walked up to the third microphone and said, “We’d like to play it for you now if that’s ok.” Kate had tears in her eyes and mouthed thank you to Shannon who was putting her guitar away so that Ryan and Josh would play while she sang. Harry was also blown away by this gesture and he has never seen Josh so outspoken and excited on a stage. He usually hung back and avoided any part of the spotlight. It was truly a perfect ending to a very successful event. This was exactly what Harry had wished for when he and Kate first had the idea for a benefit like this. 

Ryan was snapped back to the conversation before him when Hoda asked about the most exciting part of the trip, Shannon said meeting the Royal family, Ryan said, getting to know the kids the foundation helps daily and seeing Shannon in one of Kate’s dresses. Shannon’s bags showed up the day after her big shopping spree with Kate but said there was no way she was returning anything they bought even if it meant she’d never be able to buy clothes again to make up for it. It was truly a trip of a lifetime and Ryan couldn’t wait until next year’s benefit and hoped they’d be invited back if for no other reason that to see how Josh was doing and to try and talk him into playing on their next record.

-----

Well there you go…besides one of my 2017 goals is to write more and they say whatever you do on New Year’s Day is what you’ll do all year so here’s hoping that’s true.

I’m pretty sure this story is done as I’m not sure where to take it from here so now it’s time to find a new muse. I hope you all enjoyed it, I hope Haley and Michael’s isn’t calling a lawyer for a restraining order for me, cause I really do love their music and I really hope this is going to be their year. I can’t wait to hear more from them, if you haven’t already check out their website below:

Website: http://haleyandmichaels.com/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/haleynmichaels

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/HaleyandMichaels/?fref=ts

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haleyandmichaels/

Have a great 2017 everyone! I can check one thing off my New Year's Resolution post ! :D

Marcy

(@beaslma)

The Blog Is NOT dead....

I promise ... we haven't abandoned this blog, it just ... life keep getting in the way :( I've written several blogs in my head then have completely forgotten all about them, it happened again on my way home from work. It's like the blog seeps out of my brain through my ears and out the window as I'm listening to my favorite song on my way home. In my defense work has been crazy but I've used that as an excuse before and frankly I know what you are thinking ...

 

You wouldn't be wrong, I agree I suck, however I will say that googling "I suck" in an effort to find a picture for a blog posting is NOT something I suggest you do unless safe search is turned on. Then again if that's your thing ... enjoy. **NSFW** though if i have to tell you that ... then you really shouldn't perform that search.

 

It hit me today that we are nearing the 1 year anniversary of this blog in a few months and I still haven't found my voice. I don't know what to share with you guys and it seems stupid to be like

 

"I love Cheetos they are delicious"

 

Mostly because that's a waste of my time, your time, and the internet, also because that's not really a discussion builder. I never had this thought that this blog would take off like wildfire but I was hoping for a little more discussion happening, then again if we don't give you something worth talking about then that's on us. Or as you said previously ...

 

Again ... you would not be wrong though I do like the method you chose this time to tell me so. Etch-A-Sketch art is ah-mazing, google that it's a little safer. So once again I make the promise to you that we will be back, we will start posting again, and we will generate conversation on this blog or DIE TRYING!

For me I'm working on a sequel to my never ending Haley and Michael saga which I find myself thinking about all the time and until I get it out of my head and on a screen that will continue. When i say I'm working on it I mean I've opened the file several times and then starred at it for hours with very little written. However I'll get thee with it and when i do you'll get to read it .. if you are interested.

Golden is currently begging her body to just be a body. Her stupid body sometimes forgets it's side of the bargain on life and she has to man handle it back into submission. So when she gets back up and around, literally, I'll get her on another blog because unlike me she has found her voice and if you haven't read her posts you really should. They tell a story, teach some, and will make you laugh ... guaranteed. She's way better at this than I am and frankly I can't have that! :D

So until next time I leave you with this ....

... if nothing else I like to think I'm a better poet than Patrick.

 

-Marcy

Original Fiction - A Royal Welcome

The saga continues…seriously this thing is taking on a life of its own, I thought maybe 2 or three posts but now I’m not even sure when it will end, or frankly if I even want it to end. As you may recall dear reader, I started this story back in January after a dream I had that featured “We’ll Always Have Mexico” a song by Haley and Michaels (if you haven’t already check out their website and learn more about this fantastic couple). I must restate how odd it is that I’ve even chose this as my “muse” I don’t know Shannon or Ryan and I certainly don't know any of the Royal family, heck I've never even shown a big interest in the comings and goings of the Royal family, yet I find myself thinking about this story long after I’ve left the keyboard. I’ve written many a great paragraph on my way to work which will never see the light of day. Must remember to get a tape recorder STAT!

Get the new Haley and Michaels EP here ... https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/haley-michaels/id609857311

To read the background before jumping in below … here’s the link to the other posts

1 Dreams, Music, and the Royal family…a fun combination

2 Connections

and now I give you part 3 of this journey

A Royal Welcome

She couldn’t believe she was standing at the baggage claim in Heathrow Airport, it seemed literally foreign to her as going out of the country before today meant Canada. Looking around she wanted to grab the nearest person and say “We are going to play our music for the QUEEN!” but was determined to keep her cool and resisted the urge. She did want everyone to stop moving so she could live in this moment and capture it so she’d always remember it as Ryan walked over to her.

“You can stop looking, they lost your bag. They are tracking it and said when they find it they will send it to the hotel, but it was definitely not on the plane. I guess it got left behind after the last plane change. I’m so sorry Shannon!”

She looked up at Ryan “Do you realize where we are? Do you realize what we are about to do?”  She took his hand and the clink of her ring made her pause again, “Do you realize this is our first trip as a married couple?” She wanted to make a list of all the first happening in her life because they were all coming so fast she was afraid she’d forget them all. First time I’ve lost my luggage on a trip, she thought, first trip with my husband, first time I’ve called Ryan my husband, first time in London, first gig ‘across the pond,’ it was all starting to make her head spin when Ryan leaned down and grounded her with a single kiss.

Nearly a year ago this journey started with an email from Prince Harry which they were all pretty sure was a joke. He was inviting them to perform at a benefit concert for their Royal Foundation. They couldn’t believe that the Prince had heard their music, which hadn’t been released yet overseas. After several additional e-mails it was clear that the group and their managers weren’t taking the request seriously until they received one with a European phone number simply asking them to call for a discussion about the benefit.

After checking the time in London Shannon, Ryan, and Mark, their manager, dialed the phone. The last thing they wanted was to wake up and infuriate the Prince, or more likely his “people” by calling at an insanely late or early hour, if by some chance this was real. They listened as the phone dialed fully expecting some pub or radio station to answer, pulling a prank. The way they saw it this could be good publicity for an up and coming act and definitely a story to tell on stage or in their next interview.  They each sat there thinking, what if this is real, but not wanting to voice it out loud and appear to be foolish later. Shannon was praying for no answer so they could leave a voice mail and the journey could continue.  Until there was definite sign that this was a prank a small part of her could live in the ‘the Prince of England likes our music’ bubble.

After the third ring a quiet voice answered, “Hello” not expecting an answer Mark stumbled, “um…yes, this is Haley and Michaels we were told to call this number to talk about a possible benefit show.”

“Oh…yes” a very surprised voice answered, “One moment.” Then there is a thud on the phone. Mark gave a nod to the band as if to say told ya. After a few moments in which Mark would have hung up, if Shannon had let him, the voice returned to the phone, “sorry about that, hard to talk business with a sleeping toddler in your lap.” Shannon playfully slapped Ryan on the arm and mouthed, ‘That’s Harry!’

“I’m so glad you guys called, I could tell from the e-mail exchanges we weren’t all on the same page. I’ve asked someone to get Kate so we can really discuss the benefit and convince you guys to join us since she’s the co-chair. As you know from my initial e-mail, the benefit would be for The Royal Foundation and will help fund a lot of the projects we have in the coming year. The hope would be that this would turn into a yearly benefit which would serve several purposes for us, to promote the foundation, showcase some of the kids we are helping, the work the foundation does, and fund projects for the coming year. It would also give the artists a platform unlike no other.”

The three of them sat there dumbfounded until Ryan blurted out, “Is this real?”

The Prince laughed, “Ha ! Yes very much so. Kate just walked in, I have Haley and Michaels on the phone to talk about the benefit.” 

“Hey guys! So glad to finally get to talk to you! We LOVE your EP, even George sings ‘we’re gonna light it’ as he walks down the hallway, well as well as a toddler can sing it! Um… speaking of which where is my child?”

“He’s on the couch he had just fallen asleep when they called. So guys we are thinking May 2016 for this benefit, we haven’t finalized exact dates yet but we are thinking a 2 or 3 day festival featuring music, a sports tournament around the music festival, and arts and crafts. Three or four jam packed days of activities and events all showcasing what the Royal Foundation has to offer.”

Kate breaks in, “The theory is to put an emphasis on the kids being helped by the foundation, showcasing their art, showcasing their talents and showing why supporting this foundation is supporting these kids and why the two are important. We feel like putting an emphasis on the positives that the foundation gives to these kids then more will get involved and we can do more for these kids. We feel like the musical aspect of a festival will bring more people to the table so we can show them how truly amazing these kids are when given the proper chances. So the bottom line is … are you guys interested in joining the benefit?”

Before thinking Shannon says, “Why us?” then she panics, “I mean it’s a fantastic opportunity and we’d love to, I’m just … our music isn’t being played over there …. So yeah why us?”

“Bloody Hell did you not tell them the story” Kate says towards Harry. “Last time Will and I were in the states we heard 500 miles on the radio. I fell in love with it so Will bought your EP for me. I immediately fell in love with the entire thing and sent it to Harry. He fell in love with We’ll Always Have Mexico and we agreed you guys should be at the benefit if only because we’d love to hear more of what you guys can do.”

Dumbfounded Shannon and Ryan just sat there, Mark jumped in, “of course we’d love to be a part of this, and we apologize for not writing back but in all honesty we thought it was a prank. I’m glad Shannon convinced us to give you guys a call to find out for sure. We’ll definitely be more responsive now. Can I ask who are some of the other artist? I assume it’s a mixture of artist and genres.”

Harry was glad they were on the phone, “um…to be honest …. You guys are the first group we’ve contacted about his benefit. However yes, a mixture of artist and genres is what we are going for, but we also want it to make sense, meaning you guys won’t be the only country group with a bunch of alternative bands. We want to bring as many people to the festival and a mixture of talent should do just that. We are also hoping that the artist will hook up with some of the musically inclined kids that will also be a part of the festival and talk with them about the business and process of what they do. A mixture of established artist, armatures and up and coming acts will really allow for a learning experience like no other.”

The next few months were a blur of activity as Haley and Michael’s continued to support their EP, work on their album, plan a wedding, and prepare for the festival. Soon they were suggesting bands they knew to the foundation and talking about schedules, plane tickets, and arrival times. They had really gotten to know Harry and Kate over the last year and couldn’t wait to see them in person and not over a computer screen. Shannon never wanted to leave this airport because they would be that much closer to this fairytale being over.  She was jolted back to reality and out of Ryan’s embrace by a now familiar voice.

“Pathetic you’d think they’d wait until they got to the room, I mean there are kids here!” Harry said under his ball cap and sunglasses as he gestured around the airport.

“Oh, leave them alone this is after all their honeymoon, congratulations you guys! I hope you don’t mind but we decided to make this welcome on our own.” Kate said from under a similar ball cap as she grabbed Shannon’s arm and pulled her towards the doors, “Now let’s get going there’s so much to do!” Shannon looked back to see Ryan shaking hands with Harry as Kate started talking about all that was to come over the next week or so, it was truly going to be the trip of a lifetime and she couldn’t wait to get started even if she’d have to wear the same jeans for a few days.

 

----

so anyway there you have it ... what do you guys think? have you guys checked out Haley and Michaels, if not you really should, they are fantastic ! What's your favorite track on the EP?

 

-Marcy