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“I thought we could play a little bit,” he tells everyone.
“I’d love to hear you guys play,” Mom says.
“Me too,” Aunt Ellen chimes in.
“I’ll grab mine,” Aiden says before making his way into the house. He returns quickly, holding one of his guitars.
The guys get together and begin strumming a bit. A few are tunes I recognize. They’re slower and more somber for the occasion. It’s when Aiden begins singing by himself that I realize they’re sharing a new song.
You taught me peace.
You taught me to feel comfortable in my skin.
You helped me learn and grow.
I’m a man because of you.
Because of you.
The song is a tribute to my father, and it’s beautiful. My mom and I have tears in our eyes when he finishes.
“It’s beautiful, dear,” Mom says. “Will you play it on the album?”
“I think so,” he tells us.
I get up and give him a hug. He squeezes me back tightly. He’s been doing that a lot lately.
“Actually,” Aiden starts, “Derek wrote it and said I should sing it. I helped with some things, but mostly it’s him.”
“I just took some things you were attempting to use in your speech and put them into a song. You could have played that for everyone today.”
“I didn’t want to do that. It seemed like I’d be stealing focus from Dad.”
“You wouldn’t have been,” my mom tells him.
“Either way, I wasn’t going to do it. I think we’ll release it on our next album. I know Dale is happy about it. I just don’t want to make Dad’s death about business, and I fear that’s what it will do,” he says with a shrug.
“I think it’s fine. It’s about your feelings,” I remind him. “You should do it.”
“Well, Derek’s feelings,” he corrects again.
Derek chuckles, shaking his head. “How many times do I have to tell you, I used your words when you were writing drafts of that speech. I just worked with what you were feeling.”
“Do it, honey. I really think you should,” Mom reassures him.
She rises and hugs each of the men. “Thank you for that. Thank you for playing that here tonight. It reminds me of the last time we were all together, and I needed that. I could almost feel your father here with us. Right now, I’m going to get some much-needed rest.”
“Me too,” Aunt Ellen says, following Mom.
“I love you, baby girl.” Mom comes over and wraps me in a hug.
“You know, I could stay here with you for a few more days. I really don’t mind,” I tell her.
“No, it’s time for you to fly away, my little butterfly. But I know you’ll be close, and you’ll come and see me for Sunday dinners sometimes.”
I did agree that I would come visit and do dinner on Sundays. It’s usually a slower day for me. It’ll just be weird not having my dad here, but I know it will be harder for her than me. So, I can be here without him for a few hours while she’s enduring it every day.
She heads into the house, and we all watch her go.
