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“Alright, take it a little higher. No, not that high. And hold it. That’s right. You got it. Perfect.”
I’m singing my heart out for Sally Landon as she plays along on her piano. It’s tougher than I expected, trying to stretch my vocal chords like they are taffy, but I’ve been at this for a while. I’ve built the wind to keep up those notes and to keep singing efficiently.
I hit the final refrain, and take a deep breath when the song is all done. This is one of my mother’s old favorites from when she sang in church. Sally is one of my mother’s old friends and she’s as well versed in my mother’s tastes as I am.
“You get better and better every week, Carter. I’m forever impressed with how much you’re taking after your mother.”
I can’t help but feel a little bashful from her compliments. Not to go all Mommy issues on people, but she’s been a good beacon of support, and I know her words are genuine, and she’s not just trying to make me feel better about myself.
“Are you ever going to share your wonderful baritone voice with someone besides me? The church would love to hear you among our choir.”
I laugh. “Not likely, Mrs. Landon. This is just for me.”
“Singing is about sharing the joy of music with others, Carter. I think if you’re really trying to follow in your mother’s footsteps, you have to realize that. She never silenced herself for anyone.”
“Really, I’m fine. This is just for me, I assure you.”
“The church would really love you, Carter.”
“Especially not there,” I wave my hand in protest at her. “A guy like me doesn’t belong within ten miles of a church.”
“You know that isn’t true. And not just on a technical level because our church is only a single mile from here.”
“I’m a wreck, Mrs. Landon. I get in fights. I’m trouble on two legs. Do you really want me to start fights with the organ player?”
“You wouldn’t do that, Carter. You’re more of a good soul than you realize.”
Now she IS just blowing smoke up my ass.
I’m surprised I’ve been able to focus on the lesson at all. Not after I asked Cadence out and she actually agreed.
I knew I couldn’t trust myself around her. Not because I would hurt her or anything, but because I knew I’d whip myself into asking her out. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and had to use common sense to talk myself out of.
I guess something in those chocolate chip cookies made me lower my guard.
I wonder if I should mention this to Sally. See if she can put a stop to my horrible mistake. Like, ask permission or something.
I stop myself, afraid of the answer. Besides, Cadence is nineteen, she’s old enough to be making her own decisions on things like this.
“I’ll be seeing you next week, Carter,” Sally says as she closes the cover on her piano keys. “Maybe we can break into something more modern to encourage you to want to share your voice. Your mother did love the classic western songs, you know.”
“I don’t think me singing Tammy Wynette is going to help me break out of my shell, no offense.”
“I was thinking maybe something by your namesake, perhaps. Wilfred Carter? Or you would do some wonders doing some Johnny Cash too, I’ll have you know.”
“Whatever you think will work, Mrs. Landon. I’m up for singing it, but it’ll still just be for me.”
I head home then, wanting to get myself ready for my date tonight. Being presentable for an appointment with a respectable older woman and being ready for a date with the hottest chick I’ve ever seen are two totally different things.
I find a bolo tie, one that I recently wore to Cash’s wedding. Part of me is jealous that he and Williams have both gotten hitched recently, and the two of them have never seemed happier. I look at my cowboy hat and then put it back, realizing that I might be trying a tad too hard.
I take another shower, to make sure I smell right. A bit of deodorant, topped with a little bit of cologne. Combing my hair just right and making sure I’m clean-shaven. I sort of regret it when I’m done, as that scruff was part of my identity. Oh well, can’t go back now. We’re rolling with clean-shaven and presentable tonight.
I head down the stairs, and Cash is there. He sniffs the air. “Is that cologne I’m smelling?”
“What if it is?”
“Who’s the hot date, little brother?”
