“Please, come in.”
We head back into the house where Adam is standing, waiting to make sure I’m okay. When Mom grabs Adam, engulfing him in a hug, he smiles and hugs her right back, winking at me.
“Thank you for bringing my daughter back to us,” she says when they pull back. She’s holding onto his hands, grinning up at him.
“Thank you for trusting me. Your daughter truly is something special. I just held her hand; she did the rest,” he responds.
My mom pats the back of his hand. “Sometimes, that’s all you need in life—to have someone who will hold your hand through anything.”
I wrap my arm around his waist, never feeling so proud as I am right now to stand by his side and show that he’s my man.
Adam leads us into the kitchen where he pours my mom a cup of coffee, and we go over the entire process and what’s happening next. My mom’s face lights up at every turn, and there’s no question if she supports me. The way she keeps reaching for my hand, clasping it with the biggest smile across her face, is the most assurance I’ve ever needed.
When I notice my mom starting to sit back and pause, I look at her in question. “What’s going through your mind?” I ask, praying it has nothing to do with my dad.
“I have a suggestion if you’re up for it,” she says nervously.
Adam and I glance at each other before encouraging her to go on.
“Now, I’ve already spoken to Principal McAllister, and he was okay with it, but obviously, I don’t want to step on your toes, and it’s absolutely up to you.”
“What’s up to me?”
“I’d be honored to help you by taking over your classroom, so you can focus on your music.”
My eyes widen as I sit up straighter. “What was that again?” I must not be hearing things properly.
She places her hand on mine, giving me that motherly stare that comforts my soul, no matter what emotions are running through me. “This isn’t your dream. I’ve seen that since the day I retired. I saw the passion in your eyes on that video. I want to see more of that in you. Besides, I miss those little rug rats. You know I can’t stay away.”
I place my other hand on hers. “But what about Dad?”
She blows me off. “Let me worry about him. I was made to be a teacher, not some sit-at-home, retired housewife. I’ve been going crazy and can’t take it anymore, which he was going to eventually have to pay for, so he’s going to have to be okay with it.”
I pull her in for a hug. “Thank you, Mom.”
“Thank you, sweetheart. You’re following your dreams, and I’m not giving up on mine. You’ve taught me a lot these past few weeks. I should be thanking you.”
I pull back to meet her eyes, sighing at her selflessness in this moment.
I lean in to kiss her cheek. “I love you, Mom.”
“Love you too, sweetheart.”
34
Adam
Holy shit, things haven’t stopped since that video released. Our social media accounts have been blowing up, and the record company hired someone to take them over, especially Sarah’s.
She’s not used to this world. Unfortunately, some haters have reared their ugly heads, but that was to be expected. Most of the feedback’s been amazing, and people are begging for more.
She was a genius when she filmed me singingTurn the Pagewithout me knowing. I would have never put that song out there, but with our song taking off so much, when they asked for more, she suggested the personal video, and they loved the idea.
I even got a call from the man himself, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bob Seger. Linda about died when I told her. You’d think she’d never met a rock star before. It was pretty cool to tell her I spoke to him though, and he promised he’d send me a signed album for her.
They want us to start on a music video for the song I wrote for Cailin, and Sarah and I are currently working on her solo song. She’s titling itBring Me to Life, and I’m fucking digging it. It’s all about how I woke her up again and saved her from what she had been becoming.
Lying on my couch, she holds up the notebook to me that she’s been writing in. “Right here, I think it’d be cool for you to come in and have a small piece.”
