Page 6 of Sing Me Home
Millie
Sorry I had to miss commencement. But look!
A picture popped up on the screen.
Addie leaned over to get a look. “She missed your graduation because she needed to get the Hokie bird painted on her nails?”
“She said commencement is too long and boring. She sat through it in December when her brother graduated. Besides,” I chuckled uncomfortably. “We’re not that serious.” It was true. So why did it bug me so much that she didn’t show up?
Dad snorted. “Itwaslong and boring but we supported you anyway.That’swhat you do when you care about someone.”
I said nothing because what do you say to that?
“Your girlfriend missed one of the most important events of your life to get a manicure?” Mom asked.
I clicked my tongue. “Keep frowning like that and you’ll need Botox.”
“Boy. I already get Botox. I’m a forty-seven-year-old woman playing a movie character in her early thirties. And we still have two movies left to film.”
On top of being a famous country music singer with five Grammys and more People’s Choice Awards than I could count, Dad played Jack Steele, the lead male character in theSpy vs Sighmovie franchise. Mom was his co-star and on-screen love interest, Raven Nightshade.
Mom flipped the visor down, stared at her reflection in the mirror, and scowled. Unsuccessfully.
Dad leaned over and pressed a kiss to her temple. “Baby, you still look twenty-five.”
She slipped her fingers into his hair and gazed into his eyes. “Keep it up, 3673.” Her tone was as seductive as Dad’s had been a moment earlier. “And I will makeallyour dreams come true.”
Mom had called him by hisNashville Launchvote code since I was thirteen.The Nashville Launchhad only lasted six seasons but it gave my dad the record deal that “launched” his career. Hence the name.
“Moooom,” Addie complained.
I groaned. “That’s it. I’m moving in with Theo and James.” My oldest cousins had bought a fixer-upper on fifteen acres next to Uncle Silas and Aunt Lemon’s farm. “I cannot live with you two.”
“Last I heard, Theo accidentally cut the power line to their house.” Dad chuckled. “So have fun not taking a shower.”
“Watching TV,” Mom added.
“Surfing the net,” Dad sang.
“Silas says the boy is lucky to be alive,” Mom laughed. “It’s going to cost him $4,000 to fix.”
“Fine,” I grumbled. “But you two need to knock that off.”
A pickup truck cut in front of us and Dad honked the horn. “This is why I live in the country!” He blew out his breath in a long exhale. Then he laid his hand on the console between the seats, palm side up.
Like she had Ford Dupree sonar, without even looking Mom slid her hand against his and twined their fingers together. I doubted Dad realized it but Mom was his grounding device.
Maybe Millie and I could have that someday if we tried really hard. But I doubted it. Millie expected me to beonat all times. Always charming, never too serious. Heaven forbid I ever have a down day.
“Oh, looks like we’re finally out of here.” Dad pressed on the gas and pulled onto the road.
“We forgot to say a prayer,” Mom said. She always made us pray before a long car ride and Seddledowne was two hours away.
“I’ve got it.” Addie wiggled, sitting up tall. Everyone bowed their head but Dad. “Dear God, thank you for this day, and thank you that Cash could graduate and finally move back home. You know I missed him.” Eyes still closed, I smiled. I’d missed her too. “And give us a miracle so Cash doesn’t keep dating Millie. Because we all know dating leads to marriage. I only get one sister-in-law, you know. So I’m putting Millie in the ‘nope’ pile, right next to broccoli and eight o’clock bedtime.”
I peeked an eye open to see Mom biting her lips so she wouldn’t giggle. Dad’s shoulders shook with silent laughter.
I nudged Addie. “What do you have against Millie?”
