Out of The Box Awakening (41 page)

The guys laugh hard and then they can’t stop laughing.

I wave my hand at them. “Todd, Tommy, Ha-ha very funny! Y’all are getting way ahead of yourselves though, Geez! Besides, the twins would probably freak out!”

Tommy laughs again and says “Ha-ha! Wanna know what Todd calls them?”

I giggle and say “Dickheads? At least that’s how I think he referred to them”

He shakes his head. “That and Dicks on a Stick. Ha-ha! If the shoe fits, huh?”

We all laugh.

“Seriously, though, I think they’d be on board,” Tommy says “You broke through them Olivia. Don’t you see? No one’s done that man. I mean, they’re my brothers and all. But geez! They are so straight laced. Breaking though… that’s gotta mean something!”

Todd interrupts. “Enough about the sticks. So, back to the Ashster, you gotta love him, huh Olivia?”

I smile. “Yeah, something like that!”

He laughs. “See, I told you Tommy. She says that all the fucking time. She freakin does it without even freakin knowing it. Kind of like her yall’s!”

I come back with my own assessment. “Yeah, kinda like you and your f-bombs Todd! You do that all the time without even knowing it too. Matter of fact, you use the word as a noun, an adjective and a verb.”

Immediately after I say that, I realize I’ve just set myself up for a classic Todd comeback when he smiles and says “Yeah, but I much prefer it as a verb though. A very active verb if you get my drift!”

He knocks into me and we all laugh.

“So, do you miss Texas, Olivia?” Tommy asks.

“Well, yeah guess I do. Texas is where I was born and raised, so yeah. But I do like my life here. I’d really love for us all to take a trip to Texas someday soon.”

“So if we did, where would you take us? Dallas? Austin? The Alamo?”

“Well, right off the top of my head, I’d take you to the Hill Country. It’s breathtakingly beautiful! And there’s a little town between San Antonio and Austin called Groene. We used to go there when Dalton was in Austin at college. Lots and lots of good memories. Matter of fact, Texas’ oldest dance hall is in Groene. It’s called, appropriately, Groene Hall. Y’all would love it!”

“Sounds like fun!” Tommy says.

“Oh, you’d have so much fun there! We used to go there and listen to Texas Country musicians. It’s pretty amazing.” I tell them.

Todd comments “Well, tell ya what when we get back from our tour, we should all go and you can teach us all how to country western dance!”

“Oh, you can count on that!” I say. I’m totally starting to feel lightheaded from the champagne. “I probably shouldn’t be drinking so much champagne. It’s so darn good though.”

“Come on Olivia, you deserve it. We’re gonna get you trashed today. Your Independence Day drunk. Besides, you have designated drivers. We’ll take care of you, you know that. Hey..sit tight. BRB!” Todd goes to the car and gets their guitars. “Oh! I get to hear some more music?”

“Sure do Olivia! What do you want to hear?”

“Well, all day, I’ve been thinking about the song Free Bird for some reason.”

“We actually know it! We’ll have to wing it with these though. Sounds much better with the electric guitars, but we’ll give it a try! We’ll have to show you how this sounds balls to the wall with the whole band. Gonna help us sing?”

“Ummm...I don’t think you want that!” As they play, Tommy motions for me to sing along. I’m sitting cross-legged and singing my heart out. I’m probably butchering the song, but I don’t care. I’m having the best day and I just wish Lainey were here with me. She and I used to sing Free Bird all the time. She grew up singing it. Tommy tells me “Okay, Olivia, one more song…name your poison.”

“Do you know ‘Forever Young’?”

“Yeah, sure I think we can pull it off. We know everything good, girl! You gottta help us though.”

As we sing, people who are passing by are watching us. Several people stop by and sing along.

“Damn! Didn’t know we were gonna be doin a concert!” Todd laughs.

“Hey, practice for the tour.” I say.

Tommy gets a text and it’s from Ash. “TELL OLIVIA TO CALL ME! I deserve more than a group text! We all do!”

He looks like he’s worried. “Uh Oh! Shouty capital letters. I think Dad’s pissed about the group text! You’d better call him. Sorry Olivia! I think I got you in trouble.”

I immediately call Ash and he answers on the first ring. “What’s up with the group text? Goddammit! I wanted to hear from you! Not Tommy! You promised you’d call when it was over.”

“Ash, I’m so sorry. Tommy and Todd were at the courthouse to pick me up after the divorce. They brought a bottle of champagne and they took me on a picnic. We’re in Evanston on the university grounds. Time just got away from me.”

“Geez honey! I’ve been sick worrying about you! I needed to hear your voice. And a picnic? It’s winter for God’s sake! Are you guys totally nuts? Have you lost your minds?”

“Well, I’m sorry you’re angry. I’m fine and I’m in very good hands. No, we’re not nuts. It’s sunny and we’ve got blankets, coats, and mittens. We’re all bundled up.” I sense his anger has died down a bit.

“Arghhhhhh! Dammit, Olivia! Okay, honey, look, I’m sorry I overreacted ……so everything went okay?”

I fill him in on all the details and let him know that everything went smoothly. He’s totally calmed down now and speaks to me in that damn sexy voice. “So, bottom line is that you’re finally divorced and you have this incredibly handsome sexy man who loves you to death and thinks you hung the moon. Call me when you can and just know that I love you.”

Feeling better now that he’s calmed down, I kid around with him. “Hmmmmm, pretty conceited, aren’t we Mr. Harper? You stole my incredibly sexy line. And yes, I’ll call you later after they drop me at home. I love you back!” I walk back over to the guys and our blanket.

“Everything patched up with dad?” Tommy asks. I smile and give them the thumbs up.

Todd gets a text from Kyra. He tells her that we’re on the campus grounds and she asks if we want to meet her for coffee, since she’s just finished with class for the day. His eyes light up. “Wanna go meet Kyra for a coffee?” he asks. I jump up immediately and am the first to answer. “Yeeeesss! Actually, I’m pretty much freezing my behind off and a good hot cup of coffee sounds to die for right about now!”

We all meet up at the coffee shop where Todd and Kyra met. We walk in where the smell of fresh brewed coffee is divine and we find Kyra at a table waiting for us.

“Hey, babe! Whassss up?” Todd says. She stands up and he wraps his arms around her. I have to say that seeing Todd interact with Kyra in this way as opposed to the other girls who manifest themselves on him is quite refreshing. I always knew that Todd was a caring affectionate guy and he more than proved it to me when we had our talk about Kyra’s virginity.

“Awww, how cute!” Tommy jokingly says and Kyra sarcastically rolls her eyes at him. We all sit down. Kyra starts the conversation.

“So, Mrs. Petersen, did you have fun with these wild and crazy guys today?”

“Please, Kyra, call me Olivia. And yes, I’ve had the best day! These guys are the best and they took really good care of me, although I do think they set out to get me plastered; but I didn’t fall for that!” We all get a coffee and it feels so good to finally get warm. Tommy gets a text from Emily. His smile gives that away.

“So, what’s Em doin today?” Todd asks.

“Same as Kyra. Goin to class and studying.” Todd laughs and says “Glad someone is an academic, cause we sure ain’t!”

We all laugh. We stay for about an hour and Kyra tells us she has a big test to study for and needs to get to the library.

“There you go, see; I’m gettin blown off for the books. Fuckin-A!” Todd laughs and says.

Kyra punches him in the arm. “God! I love it when you abuse me, babe!”

Tommy and I laugh and walk to the car leaving Todd and Kyra behind. From the car, I see them talking. He’s brushing her cheek and tenderly kisses her. They are wrapped in each other’s arms and it makes me feel so good to know he’s done the right thing and worked it out with her.

Sensing that I’m wondering what the guys think about her, Tommy says, “She’s pretty cool.”

I smile. “Really, so y’all like her?”

“Yeah, we do. She gets along really good with Emily, too, which is pretty cool, because once we go out on tour; they can hang out and travel to see us together. Funny how things work out, huh?”

“Yeah, I was kind of thinking the same thing Tommy. I like Kyra. I really do.”

Todd gets in the car. “Ready to head back to the casa? You’ve had a big day, little lady!”

I yawn and tell them “Yeah, I should probably get home. You’re right; I’ve had a pretty big day.”

“We can stay and help you cook if you want. Not that we know how to cook or anything, but we could try.” Todd says and Tommy nods yes.

“No guys, I’m sure you’re both tired of hanging with an old divorced lady today. I’m fine, really. Besides, I need to call my kids and Ash.”

Once we get back to the house, they walk me in and make sure all the lights are turned on. We look in the refrigerator.

“Dang. Olivia! Reba’s sure got a lot of things in here for you. Looks like all you have to do is warm something up.” Todd says.

Tommy walks over to the table “Hey…did you see your flowers? I’ll bet a hundred bucks they’re from dad.”

I walk over to the table and there is a beautiful huge sunflower arrangement with a card.

“So, open the card and read it to us!” Todd says. I read the card, hold it to my chest and smile.

“Well?” They ask in unison.

“Well, what? I can’t read this to you!” I say.

“Why, does it have mature content?” Todd asks.

“No silly! But I’m not sharing it with either of you! None of your business!” They both give me a hug.

Tommy tells me. “Well, if you’re okay, I think we’ll head out. We’re rehearsing tonight.”

“I’m absolutely wonderful guys! Thank you both again for the best post-divorce day I could ever have asked for. Seriously, I couldn’t have made it through the day without you both and I want you to know it means the world to me! Thanks for the impressive ride, thanks for the songs, the champagne, the balloon and well for everything! You guys are the best! I don’t care what they say.”

“Awww, we’re glad we could help out. We had fun today too! Love ya girl!” Todd lifts my chin up and looks me in the eye. “You, Olivia are gonna do just fine. No regrets, promise?”

“Yes. No regrets. I Promise!” Tommy puts his arm around me and pulls me to his side. “Olivia, call me if you need anything and I mean it! Doesn’t matter what time, you need anything and I’m here!” He kisses me on the cheek. And with that, they’re out the door and off to rehearsal.

As soon as they drive off, I’m by myself and its quiet. Then, suddenly, the reality of what happened today hits me. Divorced. Status: single. I’m no longer a married woman. Thirty years of
my life has just gone down in the record book as having been declared over. I sit on the bottom stair, put my face in my hands and cry. I cry because, well, I really don’t know why I’m crying to be honest. I realize through all of this that my heart doesn’t ache for Alan.

Am I sad that we’re not still married? No. I’m honestly not. Never, until I met Ash did I realize how wonderful a relationship could be and how my marriage was lacking is so many ways that hold two people together. I just never took the time to think it could have been so much better. With Alan, we just kept drifting farther and farther apart and neither of us knew how to stop it. It’s actually sad. Sad because he found someone to connect with, to make him feel alive. I wonder what our life would be like at this very moment if he hadn’t been transferred and we were still in Houston. Would he still have divorced me? I’ll never know the answer to that, and I can’t dwell on what I have no control over, but I can thank God for Ash. I think to myself that Alan really did kind of push us together. I mean, after all it was his absence that did in fact bring Ash and I together. So in the big scheme of things, did I really come out so bad after all? I stand up, smile and tell myself that it’s time to stop thinking, leave my pity party, but on my big girl panties and call my kids, starting with Lainey.

“Mom, how did it go? You okay?”

“I’m fine sweetie. It’s over and I’m relieved. Spent a wonderful day with Tommy and Todd. They came to pick me up in Todd’s mustang and we went for a picnic!”

“How totally cool! Isn’t it too cold there for a picnic?”

“Yeah, pretty much but they had blankets, coats, gloves and several bottles of Cristal!”

“Well, that certainly works!” I call Bradley and Dalton and fill them in as well. My next call is to Ash, the love of my life.

“Awww honey! Damn! I wish I were with you right now! It just kills me that I can’t be!”

“Well, your amazing son and Todd made sure I had a good day. Ash, your son is definitely his father’s son.”

“Yeah, he is. You and I know that is totally true! Gotta love him!”

“Yeah, I do!” I say. “Well, honey, get some sleep and I’ll see you soon. Oh, by the way, I won’t be in until late Sunday night.”