Page 33 of Sangria

“None taken, Stormy. I’m sure Barb knows this and considering that she loves you like her own child, she’ll find the best for you. Before I left, I told you that I want you and your sister back here. This is your home, regardless of where you’ve been living. Do you have any auditions coming up or a recital?”

Stormy laughs. “We rehearse a lot, but we don’t have recitals.”

“Oh,” I say, clearly not in the know.

“But I don’t have any auditions coming up either.”

“So maybe now is a good time to move?” I should be ashamed of this tactic, but I’m not. I have no shame when it comes to helping my oldest see that being in Nashville is where she belongs. When she’s done with school, if she wants to move back and pursue dancing, I’ll gladly pay her way, but until then I want her home.

“Stormy, I know you’re having doubts, but look at it as a fresh start. Your mama. . . she’s not there to help you. I can’t be there all the time, and neither can Memaw, and you’re far too young to live by yourself and too old to have a nanny.” The father in me wants to tell her that she doesn’t have a choice, but I can’t bring myself to say those words to her. It’s not her fault that her mother made a bad decision.

“Willow really wants to move back.”

“I know she does.”

“You promise I can still dance?”

“Of course. I would never take that away from you.”

“Okay, Daddy.”

I have no doubt the smile on my face would be classified as super cheesy, but I don’t care.

Stormy and I say goodbye, and she hands the phone to my mother. I share the good news, much to her enjoyment, not that she doesn’t love being with the girls, but having them home will be so much nicer I tell her that Barb will arrange for a moving company to come in and take care of the house if she can start packing the essentials that the girls will need.

After I hang up, I text Barb the good news, and while I expect her answer to be cheery, she replies that she’ll take care of everything. I know she’s still upset with me about bringing Zara here and know she’s looking out for me. Honestly, even though it’s been a day, I like knowing someone is in my house.

My food is somewhat warm when I pull it out of the microwave. I’m hungry and eat it as is while my mind contemplates knocking on Zara’s door. No sooner do I finish, does my doorbell ring.

Much to my surprise, standing on my front porch are a few of my buddies and their wives.

“We brought beer,” Buck says as he lifts up two cases, one in each hand.

“And food,” his wife Lori adds.

“Come in,” I tell them, slightly upset that they didn’t call first, but why would they? They don’t know that I have a guest here and we often drop in on each other. Quaid and Maylene follow in behind Buck and Lori. We all went to high school together, and they are the few that have stuck around because they like me and not my fame. A fifth person walks in, and she’s someone I have never met before.

“Levi, this is my cousin Holly,” Maylene says as she introduces us. We shake hands, and it dawns on me that this is a set-up.

“I’m going to go get the fire started,” Buck says, taking Quaid with him and leaving me alone with the women. Normally, I wouldn’t care, but right now I feel a bit awkward.

Maylene and Lori head right to the kitchen and start filtering around in there, leaving Holly and I standing here like two teenagers at a middle school dance.

“If you’ll excuse me,” I say as I quickly disappear down the hall. I knock softly on Zara’s door, hoping that she’s awake. The waiting almost kills me though. My heart is beating so fast that I can feel it in my throat. She put herself out there earlier, and like an ass, I closed the door after I tasted what she had to offer.

Zara opens the door wide and inviting. I think about stepping in, but I’m not so sure I’d come out in time to entertain my friends.

“Hey.” My voice is soft and quiet, almost as if I’m trying to hide her. “Some friends stopped by. They brought beer and food, and the guys are outside starting the bonfire. Do you want to join us?”

She shakes her head and starts to close the door, but I reach for her hand. “I’m sorry I took so long with the horses. That wasn’t my intent.”

“Okay.” That’s all she says as the door closes, effectively locking me out. I deserve it.

Left with no choice, I head outside with the guys and help put the chairs around the bonfire. I add a seventh for Zara just in case she decides to come out.

“One chair too many,” Quaid says as he points to each one. I can see him counting to make sure.

“I have a friend staying here. I put it out just in case.” I don’t bother to tell them who she is because they likely wouldn’t know her nor do I mention that my guest is a female because they’d turn into vulgar boys and I don’t want to chance Zara hearing them.

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