Chapter 5

For a couple of weeks, it was like Hollywood magic. Don couldn't believe his good fortune. His time with Jessie was just as special as it had been so many years before. Kasey was wary at first, but she quickly warmed to him. Now it was as if they had been together the whole time. Even his song writing had returned. His life had focus once again.

Barrier Riff returned to the studio and even Keys was enthused by the new songs Don was writing. With the new songs, Don was moving the group in a different direction from their last CD. The sound was much closer to their first CD.

Don watched through the glass as they played. Kasey, Jenny and Robin Matthews were bopping along with the newest song. Stix was hamming it up as he added percussion fills here and there. Keys sang a harmony as Don overdubbed a quick solo. Life was good. The Gibson sang to him as his fingers caressed her neck, much like Jessie's passion song the night before.

The song ended and Stix whooped. "Perfect!"

Don hauled the axe off his shoulder and set it down on the stand next to the studio amp.

"One more take on the solo?" the engineer said into his mike.

"We're done," Don replied.

"Axe..." Keys started.

"We're done."

"But it needs polish," Keys said. The engineer nodded behind the glass.

"No way," Stix butted in. Bass nodded and opened the door to the soundproof room.

"Mix it and press me a copy," Don told the engineer. "I think we're ready to send it to Hatfield."

"I don't know, Axe. I think we need to add 'Your Eyes' to it."

"No."

"Come on, Axe. It's as good as 'Forever' or 'A Heart Knows'."

Don stared at Keys. Keys was serious. He turned and looked at Stix who shrugged. Don took a deep breath and turned to the engineer. "Add "Your Eyes' to the CD and press it."

Don dropped Jenny off at Lisa's shop, but not before extracting a promise that Jenny would badger her mother into driving out to his house after the shop closed. He had something in mind and he wanted Lisa there.

Kasey watched him as he drove silently down the streets.

"'Forever' is about Mom, isn't it?"

"Yes," Don admitted.

"So were 'Lost Without You' and 'Love's Sweet Pain'."

"Yes."

"It's not fair."

"What's not?"

"You and Mom. I mean we just found you and soon Mom's going to leave."

"Life isn't about fair, Kasey."

"I know."

Don turned into a Dairy Queen parking lot and stopped the truck. "We're going to get through this together, Kasey. You and I. I wish I could turn back the clock and be there for both of you, but that isn't going to happen either. But you need to believe me. I love you. I will be here for you as long as I can be. I wish I could promise forever, but you know that's just not possible."