65

Pleaseeee ! He breathed.
Okay little man. Well… she said breathlessly. Noah, now you see why you have to carry JJ. Unless you want me to tickle him some more.
Alright bro, I said, laughing when he stood up and launched himself at me. Lets go, otherwise our food’s going to be charred to a crisp before we get down there.
As if on cue, my dad’s voice boomed from downstairs. Any time today guys, he shouted. Hot dogs are ready so get your asses down here.
Coming daddy ! JJ shouted back, patting me on the shoulder to get me moving.
As I walked down the stairs and out in to the garden with JJ in my arms and Lily trailing beside me, I smiled knowing that I was surrounded by people that I loved more than anything. The smell of burgers and hot dogs caught my nose, and I glanced over at Lily. I was momentarily taken aback by how beautiful she looked. The late night breeze was whipping her blonde hair past her shoulders, and the orange hue from the darkening fire illuminated her skin.
Smells good, huh ? I smiled.
It smells great, she nodded as we reached the wooden bench to the left hand side of the fire.
I took a seat next to her and put JJ down, noticing his eyelids drooping. Are you tired little man ? I asked, tiliting his head up as it began to fall.
If he’s tired he can go to bed, my father said, walking around and swooping him in to his arms. It’s already 9pm, way past this boys bed time.
No, JJ squirmed, trying to wriggle out of his arms. I’m not tired. Honest. I can stay awake.
Maybe just this once, my mum said, taking him from my father’s arms and sitting down with him on her lap. After all, it’s a special night.
I don’t know, dad said unsurely. He’s going to be up late because of all this wedding stuff. And Jackie and Rich are coming over tomorrow. Maybe he should get some extra sleep tonight.
No ! JJ said defiantly, folding his arms and shaking his head. I don’t wanna.
I laughed and lent back, putting my arm around Lily’s shoulder as she snuggled in to me. Looks like the man of the house has spoken.
Fine, my father grumbled, taking a seat beside my mum and patting JJ’s shoulder. Ignore me as per usual.
Do you two want some food ? My mum asked.
I looked down at Lily as she shook her head. Maybe in a minute, she smiled. I’d like to just sit here for a while, it’s such a beautiful night.
It is, I agreed, tilting my head back and looking at the sky.
There was something different about being in a city. Out here the stars seemed brighter, and the world beyond the lake seemed like a completely different place. The only thing I could hear was the crackle of the still burning fire and the whisper of the trees as they shook in the wind.
So, Lily, my mum said suddenly. Noah tells us that you play the guitar.
He told you that, Lily smiled, looking up at me. Well yeah I do. I’ve played for Noah a few times. It’s just something that brings a brief escape, you know.
Sounds wonderful, my mum nodded, inching forward with an interested look. You know I miss the sound of a guitar around here.
Oh, do either of you play ? Lily asked, looking at both of my parents.
Not me sweetheart, my father said, shaking his head. Could never get the hang of it. But if you need a car fixed or a bit of DIY, I’m your man.
Neither of us play, my mum said, glancing at me. But Noah, he’s a great player. He used to
I waved my hand frantically behind Lily’s head to signal for her to stop talking. She seemed to get the message as her sentence trailed off and she looked at me, wondering what I was doing. But it was too late. I felt Lily spin around and face me, a surprised look on her face.
You play the guitar ? she asked, her eyes wide.
Well, not really, I shrugged. I attempted it when I was a kid, but I didn’t get very far. I guess I was like my dad, just couldn’t get the hang of it.
Out of the corner my eye, I could see my father with a confused look on his face. In truth, I had been playing the guitar since I was a kid, and I was good at it. But there was a reason I hadn’t told Lily. I wanted to surprise her when I played the first time, something that was going to happen very soon.
You still have the guitar, right Noah ? My mum asked, playing along despite not knowing what for.
Yeah, I nodded. It’s in my room.
Lily, you think you could play something for us ? she asked, smiling over at her.
Yeah, JJ mumbled sleepily, trying his hardest to stay awake. I wanna hear.
Looking down at Lily, I could see the unsure look on her face. I understood. Playing guitar was something of Lily’s that was hers, and nobody else’s which was why she played when she was on her own, or with me. So I was surprised when she nodded and turned to me.
Will you go and get it ? she asked, her hair fluttering in the wind.
Of course, I nodded, getting up from the bench and jogging over to the door.
Stepping over Sammy who was fast asleep in the hall, I ran to my room and picked up the guitar before going back outside. Handing it over, I watched as Lily ran her hands along the wood pattern and tested the strings. Seeing her with a guitar was one of the things that I could watch all day long. And hearing her play, was something I could listen to all day long too. After a minute, she placed the guitar on her lap and stared in to the fire that was in the middle of the five of us.
The songs I usually sing remind me of someone, she smiled, winking at JJ who had sat up and was watching intently. But this song is just one that makes me smile, just like being here does.
I watched as my father reached over and pulled JJ on to his lap. He snuggled in to him and rested his head on my father’s jacket, still fighting the sleep that was coming. My mother shuffled up to their sides and put a hand on JJ’s leg.
Thank you for playing for us, Lily, my father said.
Of course, she nodded, as I stood up and went to sit with my family on the other side of the fire, so I could watch as she sang.
My eyes never left hers as she strummed the guitar, and her voice echoed through the darkened night as she began to sing the lyrics that made me smile like nothing else could.
I want to climb up mountains,
Drink from nature’s fountains,
Who knows what I’ll do on my way,
I want to be lost in transit,
Find love in a different language,
Who knows who I’ll meet on my way
Now I’m sure this is what I needed,
Space to roam, be completely free.
As Lily’s voice faded, she caught my eye and I smiled at her. Whenever I heard her sing, I knew in that moment she was doing something she loved, and that was all I wanted for her. My mind drifted back to the songs I had heard her sing when I first met her. They were sad, just like she had been. But now, her songs were wonderful and heaven to my ears. When she sang now, she was happy.
Lily, that was wonderful, my mother smiled, sounding amazed. You play beautifully. Have you ever thought of playing professionally ?
Lily placed the guitar down on the floor beside her and nodded. I have thought about it, now and then. But playing guitar, it’s just for me ; to help me through things. That’s what it’s always been about.
This girl’s a special one, my dad chuckled, nudging me with his elbow. Don’t you let her go, son.
Believe me, I whispered, staring at Lily. I’ll never let her go.
Did you enjoy that sweetie ? mum said to JJ, but I laughed when I looked down at him.
He was snoring lightly, and had started to dribble on my fathers jacket. He’s drooling on me, dad said, stating the obvious.
We’re going to put him to bed, my mum said, following as my father lifted a sleeping JJ in to his arms and carried him towards the house.
As my mother walked past Lily, she squeezed her shoulder gently and whispered something in to her ear, causing Lily to break out in to a huge grin. Wondering what she’d said, I got up and walked over to Lily, collapsing beside her before throwing my arm around her shoulders and pulling her in close.
What was that ? I asked, as she leant her head on my shoulder and closed her eyes. What did my mum say ?
Just something that made me smile, Lily said, looking up at me. I widened my eyes and nodded for her to continue. She just laughed and put a hand on my chest. Your mum said thank you, and she said she was glad that we found each other.
I’m thankful for that too, Lily, I whispered, puling her closer as she yawned again. I hadn’t even noticed, but I think I was waiting to find you for a long time.
That’s good, she laughed softly, Because you’re stuck with me now.
Resting my head on hers, I smiled as I gazed in to the fire. The breeze caused the flames to dance, and the crackling of the wood echoed through the otherwise quiet night. After a minute, Lily’s breathing evened out. She was falling asleep. Kissing the top of her head, I pulled her closer.
I love you Lily, I whispered, despite knowing she couldn’t hear me. But to my surprise, she mumbled something in to my shirt. And I didn’t have to hear it to know what she’d said.
I love you too, college boy.