Torn Between Two

Chapter Six

Ashley was released from the hospital two days later and she was home in bed with Alex watching over her. Jessica got home from work and checked in on them and they were asleep in Ashley's room. She went onto her room and closed the door and sat in her recliner and started thinking of her choice she had to make between Nick and Brian. She got out her phone and called Brian.

"Hey Jess, what's up?" Brian said.

"Hey Brian, is Nick with you?" Jessica asked.

"Yeah, we are sitting here watching TV," Brian said.

"Put me on speaker, please," Jessica said.

"Okay, you are on speaker," Brian said.

"Hey Jess," Nick said.

"Hey, okay I know you guys are waiting for me to make a choice, it's going to take me longer to decide, you guys are both great, and I had a good time on both dates and there wasn't anything that stood out on either day so this is a tough choice so I will need more time," Jessica said.

"We understand, Jess," Nick said.

"Take as much time as you need, we won't stop being your friend," Brian said.

"Yeah, Jess, we can all be just friends until you make your choice," Nick said.

"Thanks guys, you guys are coming to the coffee shop tomorrow night?" Jessica asked.

"We'll be there, Jess," Nick said.

"Yeah, we will be there," Brian said.

"Okay, bye guys," Jessica said.

"Bye Jess," Brian said.

"Bye Jess," Nick said. Jessica hung up and sat back.

The next night, Alex helped Ashley into the coffee shop and got her settled in a comfy chair. Kyle and Melanie cuddled together. Brian and Nick came in and sat with them. They saw Jessica sitting with the other singers.

"Hey guys," Melanie said.

"Hey Melanie," Brian said.

"Hey Melanie, hey guys," Nick said.

"Just a warning, the song she's singing, she wrote it herself, and it really happened, the song isn't made up, it's from her heart and it's the truth," Ashley said.

"So the words of the song?" Brian asked.

"Is what really happened, all fact, not made up," Melanie said. They looked at each other and sat back. They watched and listened to all the other singers. Then it was Jessica's turn.

"This song I'm going to sing, it's dedicated to a special someone who is no longer with us, only two people in this shop know who it's about," Jessica said. She looked at Ashley and Melanie who nodded. Ashley held Alex's hand as Melanie held Kyle's hand. The song began and they listened to the song.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It was two weeks after the day she turned eighteen
All dressed in white
Going to the church that night
She had his box of letters in the passenger seat
Sixpence in a shoe, something borrowed, something blue
And when the church doors opened up wide
She put her veil down
Trying to hide the tears
Oh she just couldn't believe it
She heard the trumpets from the military band
And the flowers fell out of her hand

Baby why'd you leave me
Why'd you have to go?
I was counting on forever, now I'll never know
I can't even breathe
It's like I'm looking from a distance
Standing in the background
Everybody's saying, "He's not coming home now."
This can't be happening to me
This is just a dream

The preacher man said, "Let us bow our heads and pray
Lord please lift his soul, and heal this hurt."
Then the congregation all stood up and sang the saddest song that she ever heard
Then they handed her a folded up flag
And she held on to all she had left of him
Oh, and what could have been
And then the guns rang one last shot
And it felt like a bullet in her heart

Baby, why'd you leave me
Why'd you have to go?
I was counting on forever, now I'll never know
I can't even breathe
It's like I'm looking from a distance
Standing in the background
Everybody's saying, "He's not coming home now."
This can't be happening to me
This is just a dream

Oh,
Baby, why'd you leave me
Why'd you have to go?
I was counting on forever, now I'll never know
Oh, I'll never know
It's like I'm looking from a distance
Standing in the background
Everybody's saying, "He's not coming home now."
This can't be happening to me
This is just a dream
Oh, this is just a dream
Just a dream
Yeah, yeah

(Song:Just a Dream by Carrie Underwood)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

They all sat there watching Jessica as she sang and tears running down her cheeks. After she was done, she broke down crying. Melanie ran up to her and hugged her. The whole place stood up and clapped and cheered for her and a few people had tears in their eyes. Brian and Nick sat there with tears in their eyes as well. Alex was holding Ashley as she cried. Kyle was wiping his eyes. Melanie brought Jessica over to their table. Brian and Nick stood up and they both hugged Jessica.