AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oh no, I couldn’t. That guitar looks special,” I said nervously.
“Please, it would be a pleasure to hear you play it,” he insisted.
I was hesitant, but I obliged. The guitar was a vibrant shade of green, almost like the color of fresh grass in the summer, with darker green striations throughout. The sleek and glossy finish of the body made it even more enchanting to look at. The fretboard was adorned with intricate inlays that added a touch of elegance to it. The sound that emanated from this guitar was just as beautiful as its appearance, producing clear and crisp notes that seemed to resonate with my soul. It was a truly breathtaking instrument that any musician would be lucky to own. It's not something you see every day. The moment I played it, I felt a release of stress.
After playing a few songs, I handed it back to him. “Thank you, I needed that. I'm saving up to buy a new guitar. Someone stole mine from my dorm a few weeks ago, so it felt really good to play again.”
“No problem; it was a pleasure to hear you play.”
He started telling us about his touring days and how his band had opened for some of the greats like Journey, Def Leppard, and even Rascal Flatts. I was blown away by how many pictures he had. He ultimately shared that he stopped touring because his health was declining.
“Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that.”
“Oh, sweetheart, I’m not. I have a beautiful wife and people who miss me when I’m on the road. Spending time with them is more important than being a rock star. My wife is my once-in-a-lifetime love, and I will take advantage of the time I have left with her.” He seemed a little sad at that admission, but he continued. “She and I both help at my best friend’s shop a few towns over. We play and listen to music all day, which is good enough for me. As long as she is there, that is all I need.”
His story was breaking my heart. I didn’t ask exactly what was wrong with him because it was none of my business, and he was a stranger, but my heart goes out to him.
Max was bored, so he went off and found an arcade down the road. Nick and I ended up talking to them for three hours. We got up to leave, and my hippy friend pulled me aside.
“Here, I want you to have this.”
My eyes went wide. I was so surprised that I blushed and laughed. Blushing is my telltale sign that I'm uncomfortable.
“What?” I asked.
He stood there with his arm outstretched, holding the guitar towards me. I put my hands up in protest. “Oh no, I can't. Thank you so much for the offer. It's very kind.”
He continued looking at me but pulled the guitar back and set it down. “Please, I insist. It sounds like you have an amazing music career ahead of you, plus it's filled with good juju. I got it from my best friend. You actually remind me of him.”
This man. This is the sweetest thing someone has ever offered me. I don’t know how else to politely decline. I could never take something so precious. I declined his offer once more, insisting again that I couldn’t accept it, and he dropped the subject.
I walked around and said goodbye to everyone else we had met. Finally, I said goodbye to my new hippie friend. He told us to look him up if we ever returned to Nashville.
I couldn't shut up about them after we left. They were so cool. They almost felt like old friends; it was weirdly calming.
We stopped at our first gas station about two hours into the trip home. Max ran inside to pay for the gas, while Nick and I got out to stretch quickly.
“Hey, Aubs,” Nick grabbed my arm. He looked a bit nervous. “There's…um, something for you in the trunk.” I gave him a puzzled look and followed him to the back of the car as he popped open the trunk.
“What...I can’t…How?” I was almost speechless; I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. There, lying in the trunk, was the beautiful green guitar. I looked at Nick with tears in my eyes.
He shrugged. “He told me not to tell you until we were far enough away so you wouldn’t make me turn back,” Nick said hesitantly. “Maybe it was just one of those serendipitous things, and you were meant to meet. He said to contact him if we ever return, so maybe we can do that.”
I looked back at the guitar as the tears wet my cheeks. I looked at Nick as a surge of regret struck me. “Nick…we didn’t get his name.”
CHAPTER ONE
Aubrey
November Five Years Later
Istood in the attic silently for what felt like forever. It was as if time was standing still or I was having an out-of-body experience. I wasn’t quite sure what I was looking at, but I got the feeling that this paper was about to change everything.
I’ve seen this document a few times throughout my life, like when I needed it for important things such as obtaining my driver’s license or signing up for college. I would remember if it looked like this. Now that I think about it, I’m pretty sure I packed it already. Even if this is a duplicate, why would they be different? I definitely would’ve noticed…right?
My name on this birth certificate was different. I had my mom’s maiden name. But the weirdest part is where my father’s name should be…is blank.
I had to sit down because I was starting to have a panic attack. The walls felt like they were caving in around me, and I couldn’t steady my breath. I don't know the cause of these panic attacks, but I do remember when they started.
