What Dreams Forget

James was awoken from sound sleep with a pile of clothes hitting his face. James moved the clothes and sat up. He saw Beau standing at the foot of the bed drinking a cup of coffee. "Get dressed. I brought you clothes so we don't mess up your fancy city clothes." said Beau walking out of the room. James stared after him. He wondered if this was the point in time where Beau killed him and buried his body somewhere on the farm. James got out of the bed. Beau had given him a UK hoodie, a pair of jeans, and the boots he had worn before. James jerked the clothes on over his undershirt and boxers. He didn't bother with his hair. He quickly used the bathroom and brushed his teeth. Beau was sitting at the kitchen table with Gemma drinking coffee. James smiled at Mamaw Gemma.

"I guess you'll do" said Gemma handing him a travel mug of coffee "Sugar and cream on the counter if you need that stuff." James accepted the coffee and stuffed his feet in the boots. He glanced at his watch. It was 5:30 in the morning. Yep, it was definitely love for him to be up this early. "We'll have breakfast at the big house when y'all are done."

"Come on, Neal" called Beau heading out the door "We've got stuff to do." James followed him out the door. Before the door shut Neal turned to Gemma and called out "In case I don't survive this tell Tori Lynn I love her."

"Oh, you drama queen you'll be fine." laughed Mamaw Gemma. James started laughing and joined Beau at the pickup truck.

"So" said James looking at Beau. He didn't answer just put the truck in drive. James took a drink of coffee and waited for a response. It never came. James gave up conversation and stared out at the darkness because yes, it was still very dark outside. Beau stopped at the barn and got out of the truck. James was sitting in the passenger seat.

"You gonna sit there or help me boy?" asked Beau. James scrambled out of the truck and into the barn. Tori Lynn's horses were making noises and snorting at Beau. James followed Beau into the tack room. He watched as he gathered up feed in different buckets. Beau handed James a pitchfork and shovel. James eyed both of the items. "You know what to do with those?"

"I've shoveled snow"

Beau started laughing. "Same idea. Smells a lot worse." Beau pointed at the wheelbarrow. James was looking around the barn for what Beau wanted him to clean up. Beau was still watching James and laughing. The boy had no clue. "You have to take each horse out and tie them to thehitch over there. Then muck out the stall. You want to be with my baby girl? Then you are gonna have to learn to take care of her damn horses." Beau turned and walked back into another stall of the barn. "Hurry up, we have to go feed the cows and check the fences." James was left standing staring at Tori Lynn's horses. He wasn't sure where to begin.

Beau was watching the boy. He wasn't sure James had ever been around horses. Beau watched as he approached Shadow. James held his hand out to the horse. Beau could hear him talking to the animal.

"Tori Lynn says you are like a big puppy. I have a puppy. His name is Nixon." said James. Shadow snorted at him and he stepped back. He remember that Tori Lynn said you couldn't show fear. He put his hand on the horse’s muzzle. He petted him. "You are Tori Lynn's good boy aren't you?" James opened the door to the stall and stepped closer to Shadow. James took his lead and walked him out to the post. "See you can walk for me on your leash."

Beau almost laughed out loud. He watched the boy tie the horse to the post. He grabbed the shovel and pitchfork but left the wheelbarrow. The kid wasn't making this easy. Beau sat on a bale of hay and watched him. He probably should help him.

James eyed the mess in the stall. Maybe he should bring the wheelbarrow closer. He walked back out grabbed the wheelbarrow. He cleaned the mess into the wheelbarrow. "Beau" called Neal "Does he need fresh hay?" He heard an affirmative response. He spread the hay. James got the horse by his leash and put him back in the stall. He stroked the horse a few times before moving on to Shine.

"Don't forget to feed them" called Beau. James grabbed the bucket and emptied it into Shadows feeder. He moved back to Shine. Shine snickered at him. Then began to chew at his hair.

"Come on. Don't eat my hair." said James pushing the horses head away. "James stroked his head and neck. You going to be a good boy like your brother?" The horse shoved at James with his face. "So that's a no, eh?" James petted him again. He opened the door and took Shine by his leash. Shine made a snorting noise. James tugged on his leash "Come on, Shine. Don't make me look stupid in front of her dad." James led him out to the post and tied him up. "See not so bad, eh?"

James cleaned out the stall, put in new hay, and put in fresh feed. He then walked the horse back to the stall. After James shut the door Shine bumped him a few times. James called out to Beau. "What do I do with the old hay?"

Beau came out and showed him where to empty the wheelbarrow. As soon as that was done, Beau motioned for him to grab one of the large buckets of feed for the cattle. James fell into step behind Beau. The sky was starting to have a pink tinge as the sun was coming up. They loaded the buckets in to the truck and climbed in. Beau drove down the drive past the big house and past the 3 car garage. Beau stopped the truck at the gate. "See that chain" explained Beau pointing the gate "Unhook it from itself. Then swing the gate open. After I drive through shut it and re-latch it. Then we’ll feed the cows and check the fence rows." James hopped out of the cab of the truck and did as instructed. Beau pulled the truck up ahead. James locked the gate back and headed towards the truck. Beau handed him a bucket of feed. Beau started shaking the bucket calling "Here girls" at the cattle. James watched the cattle all come up the pasture. Beau dumped the first bucket of feed in the trough and motioned for James. He copied Beau's action. He couldn't believe the cattle just walked up. It was a cow buffet.

"Come on, Neal" said Beau "We need to check the fence rows before the mamas have breakfast ready." James loaded back into the truck. "Tori Lynn said you gave her the truck."

"Yes, Sir" replied James.

"Said you did a lot more than it needed"

"I don't think so. It's mostly original." replied Neal "I had the seat belts updated. I wanted her safe. I wanted airbags. But they couldn't do it without changing out a lot of stuff. I put a stereo in it that she can hook her phone into. Plus, it works as a Bluetooth for hands free phone use. I worry about her being safe. Especially, since I'm gone on road trips a lot."

"Tori Lynn said you made sure to keep Bodie part of the truck. He is important to her. That truck didn't need to be a living shrine. But I'm not sure I would have put a pink Chevy bow tie on It." said Beau "So how long are you gonna play house with my baby? You think I don't know what goes on in Tennessee?"

"I love her." replied James "I don't think I have really loved anyone other than my family before. I sure as hell didn't put anyone else first. It's different with her. She balances me out. She doesn't just see dollar signs or the Real Deal. In fact, I think she hates the Real Deal stuff. But I think if I asked her to marry me she would say no. I think she needs more time to realize I'm serious. I royally fucked up a few months ago." James grimaced he probably shouldn't have said fuck in front of her daddy. "Sorry."

"Boy, I was a Marine." said Beau "Bad language is the least of your worries." Beau drove them through a creek and up into the pasture. He was looking all along the fences. He explained what he was doing to James. It made sense you wanted to keep the cattle in. He pointed out the different fields that would grow soy, corn, and tobacco in the spring. James listened. It was no wonder Tori Lynn said he was a city boy. "I know you boys like to go out and drink. I know winning the Cup means huge parties. But that isn't her scene. She promised Beau David that she wouldn't get into drinking or drugs. To my knowledge she never has. Her mama and mamaw can't handle losing another child. It's bad enough knowing what the music scene is like, adding pro athletes is a recipe for disaster."

"Cherry coke" replied James "She only drinks cherry cokes when we are out. If they don't have cherry cokes she will drink ginger ale with three cherries. I'm not sure why three, but it's what she wants. The entire team knows. Hell, her rowdy country boys know. She doesn't judge. She is strict about DD's. During my big fuck up she took care of me when I probably didn't deserve it. Hell, I know I didn't."

Beau nodded at Neal. He didn't say anything to him. He was raw at that moment. James might just be the right man for his daughter. But he wasn't about to tell him that. "I don't want to change her." said Neal "But she changes me every day. It’s usually for the good. I'm not sure her teaching me about cheese toast is good for my diet."

Beau laughed "She’s loved that since she and Bodie were little." Beau stopped the truck at the gate. James opened the gate and so Beau could drive out. He quickly shut it and got back in the truck. They drove over to the big house and parked near the walk. James looked at his watch, it was around 7:30. "Hey Neal" called Beau "If you hurt her, I promise Mamaw Gemma will be the least of your worries." Neal nodded. Everyone was always threatening him over her. No one seemed to realize her leaving him would kill him.

James kicked Bodie's boots off near the door. He opened the back door and went into the mud room. He came around the corner into the kitchen. Mamaw Gemma was busy mixing dough with her hands. James watched leaning against the door facing. "Want some help?" he asked.
"Nobody wants biscuits that smell like horses, James Neal" admonished Mamaw "Go wash up. No funny business, and get that damn phone and see why it won't stop going off."

"Yes, ma'am" he laughed and grabbed his phone. He took the stairs 2 at a time. He knocked on Tori Lynn's door. He got no response. He opened the door and found her curled up asleep in her daybed. He was rarely awake before her. James sat down on the edge of her bed and watched her sleep.

"You smell like my horses" yawned Tori Lynn. "What are you wearing?" Neal had on one of Bodie’s hoodies and jeans that she was pretty sure were Bodie's as well.

"Whatever your dad threw at me at around 5 am" replied Neal."I totally deserve a kiss. I fed your horses, cleaned out their stalls, opened gates, fed cows, and checked the fences with your daddy."

"Cattle" laughed Tori Lynn "you fed cattle." The UK blue hoodie made his eyes bluer than normal. She needed to make him wear it more often. Maybe a shirt or tie that color. She leaned over and kissed his cheek "Did you and daddy make nice?"

"I don't think he wants to kill me anymore." answered Neal stealing another kiss "However, Mamaw said no funny business. I need to wash up and get back downstairs so you can get ready." James walked into her bathroom and washed his hands and face. He walked back into the room to find Tori Lynn stretching. He stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "I redneck up pretty good, eh?" She started laughing. She turned in his embrace and smiled up at him. He leaned down and kissed her. She was still laughing as he headed down the stairs.

Tori Lynn came down the stairs 15 minutes later. She was dressed in jeans and a Larue County football t-shirt that said 72 and Jackson across the back. She was barefoot and had her hair in a high ponytail. No make-up and James thought she looked perfect. Except he preferred his number on her. Mamaw had put him to work. He was currently pulling random jars of jelly from the fridge. Her mom and dad were both sitting in the wingback chairs watching the morning news.

"Hey babe" said Neal juggling tiny jam jars "Mamaw is sending us home with jelly. Apparently, jelly doesn't come in squirt bottles. I made coffee. It's in your UK travel mug."

"He thinks he’s Martha Stewart because he turned on the Keurig."explained Mamaw. Tori Lynn kissed her face as she grabbed her mug.

"He can burn water" laughed Tori Lynn "He’s only been using the Keurig for the last 2 months, and I wouldn't let him make the toast."

"She made biscuits" said James smirking at her. "I helped with the eggs."

"Tori Lynn what is he going to do if you go on the road?" asked Mamaw

"Addi or Prince will feed him." said Tori Lynn "Plus, he is learning. He can make cheese toast, pasta, mac and cheese, scrambled eggs, and he can make brownies. As well as, a completely stocked and labeled freezer. I've been making doubles of everything."

"I told you they were playing house" grumbled Beau. Tori Lynn's mom swatted at him.

James laughed. He was starting to feel at home there. They sat and had breakfast with her family. "So Tori Lynn is going to come to Whitby with me for Christmas for a few days. I would love for all of you to come down to the last home game before Christmas and have Christmas with Tori Lynn and I. We have room for everyone between the two apartments." He turned that megawatt smile on Mamaw "You said you would think about it, Mamaw."

"I guess I'll go boy, but you better win that game." said Mamaw. Tori Lynn looked slightly taken back.

James leaned over "I told you she loves me.”

"Careful boy" said Mamaw "I only kinda like you." James smiled at Mamaw. "You two better get on the road. You’re gonna be late for practice." Mamaw started to clear the table. James stood and helped until she shooed him to her house to get his things and his Rover.

James was back in about 5 minutes. Gemma had packed up biscuits and several jars of jelly. He laughed when he saw the Ski and gummies in the bag. "It'll save you time, boy."

Tori Lynn and James were on the back porch getting ready to leave. Tori Lynn hugged her parents and her mamaw. James shook hands with her dad. Tori Lynn's mom hugged him. He waved at Mamaw Gemma.

"James Neal, get over here" called Gemma "I hug all my grand-babies good-bye. You'll not be the exception, Mr. Pro Hockey Player." James smiled at her. Gemma hugged him. Then pointed a finger at him "No more fightin' on the ice. You hear me boy?"

James nodded at Gemma. "See you all at Christmas if not before" called James taking Tori Lynn by the hand. "I told you she loves me." he said opening the Rover door.

"I guess I'm stuck with you then." replied Tori Lynn smiling at him.

"Damn straight, babe" said Neal coming to a stop at the top of the drive "I love you."

"Love you too, Jamie." said Tori Lynn.

James laughed 30 minutes on the road and she was asleep in the passenger seat. He popped open her Ski and drank it listening to Blackberry Smoke as he drove. He might get to be a redneck boy yet.

Notes