Our Song by Ashley Bodette Read Free Book Online

it was bad enough that I played flute in band, and took piano lessons, so I let him talk me into putting it aside for a while. After all, it was a small price to pay to get him to really like me. Compromise, right? But that was really stupid. This is actually the first time I’ve picked it up since I started dating Trip. It was Mom’s idea to bring it along, and now that I think about it, she probably knew it would be therapeutic as well.
    “Okay. What song is up first?” Robert asks.
    “Oh, can we please sing ‘Grandma’s Feather Bed’ first?” my sister begs.
    Everyone else starts laughing. “Well, if you’re so anxious to sing it, your wish is my command,” Robert replies. “What key are we all playing in?”
    “In G?” I ask. “That’s where I usually play it for her.” Although, usually is probably a bit too strong of a word, considering it’s been over a year since I’ve played it for her.
    “Sounds good to me,” Asher answers.
    Robert counts us in, and we begin: When I was a little bitty boy…
     
    -----
     
    Asher
     
    We’ve been singing around the campfire for almost an hour, when Becca jumps in and says, “Asher promised to sing “Silhouettes on the Shade” with me earlier, and he’s going to play.” I’m pretty sure my face is turning red, but I hope, now that the only light is coming from the campfire and the almost non-existent moon, that nobody else can tell. Becca doesn’t know this, because whenever we’ve sang this song at a campfire, we’ve ALL sang along, but “Silhouettes on the Shade” is sort-of my mom and dad’s “song.” The first time they ever sang together in high school, they sang this song…and they’ve been singing it together ever since.
    Plus, what happens to the guy in the beginning of the song kind-of actually happened to me once. The tennis team was out for a run last March, around town. As we passed the local bakery, Becca walked out, carrying a paper cup of coffee and a bag of donuts. I was about to wave to her when Trip walked out behind her, grabbed her around the waist, and turned her around to kiss her. His eyes were wide open, and he looked right at me. It felt like I had been punched in the gut.
    “Just the two of you?” Livvie asks, her brows scrunched together.
    My dad shoots me a knowing look, and I’m sure my face is looking like a tomato about now.
    “Yes, just the two of us,” Becca says quietly. I look up at her, wondering if she’s changed her mind. But she has the most shy, beautiful smile on her face. This boosts my confidence a little, and I begin to pluck out the intro chords to the song.
    “You’re singing harmony, right?” I ask, just to make sure.
    “Of course,” she answers, as if to say would there BE any other answer to that question? I smile, looking back down toward my guitar, and come in on the next bar.
    When I get to the part where I'm wondering why I'm not the person whose shadow is next to hers, I look up at Becca. As we’re singing the next line, about tears, it almost looks like Becca has tears of her own in her eyes. But why would she be crying right now? I guess I’ll have to ask her about it later.
    I focus back on the song, and then it’s like the whole world disappears, except for Becca and me, our voices mixing together to create something beautiful. Becca closes her eyes and we continue to sing.
    As I strum the last chord, our surroundings come back into focus, and I look around the fire to see smiles on our parents’ faces, and my mom is openly letting tears fall down her face. Livvie starts clapping, and then our parents join her. I look back at Becca, and now she’s the one who looks embarrassed. The thing is, she shouldn’t be. Anyone would love to sing with Becca, because she is that good. I just happen to be lucky enough for her to choose me to sing with her.
    She shakes her head, then smiles and looks around the campfire. “Now that we’ve totally embarrassed ourselves with our song,