9. Bran
Chapter 9
Bran
“ S eriously? You’re not going to let me drive?”
I almost choke on my laugh as I throw open the car door. “Not a chance. I’ve always been the better driver. It’s Nickel Creek day! You know I’ve always wanted to see them in concert and now I have all this pent-up energy.”
“Precisely why you’re not driving. We don’t need a speeding ticket because you’re a little overexcited about a concert.”
Heather huffs and rolls her eyes. “Fine. But I’m picking the music.”
“I’m sure I don’t have to guess what you’ll be playing.”
She smiles at me as she climbs into the passenger seat. “You know me too well, brother. We’ve got to warm up our voices for the concert. If they play The Fox tonight, we’ve got to be prepared.”
I start the truck and back out onto the road. “Heather Alice Finch. Lover of goats. Protector of pigeons. Nickel Creek super fan. The sunshine to anyone’s cloudy day.”
“Aww,” she sings. “That’s so sweet, Bran. See?” She smacks a hand to my chest teasingly. “You really do have a heart in that chest somewhere.”
“Nah. That’s going to be your obituary one day.” I pass her an ornery smirk and her jaw drops. She swats my arm and laughs.
“Oh, very funny, Ass.”
“I’m only kidding.”
“Yeah, well your obituary will say something like “Here lies Christopher Brannon Finch. Grumpy ass problem solver, lover of nothing except butterscotch oatmeal cookies and watching his sister get in trouble for living life to the fullest.”
I grin. “Yep. That about sums me up.”
“Ugh,” she huffs. “You’re ridiculous.”
She turns up the music and zones out for a while as we travel down the highway toward Tuft Swallow.
The name of the small town where this concert is taking place sounds like something out of a kid’s book. Actually, it is more like an adult kid’s book.
“Tuft Swallow,” I mumble to myself as I list in my head some of the other inappropriate town names I’ve heard of.
Heather turns her head, scowling at me. “Huh?”
I shake my head with a laugh. “I was just thinking about this town we’re going to. Tuft Swallow.”
“Yeah.”
“I mean, who the hell came up with that name?” I ask. “And the town next to it? Spitz Hollow?”
“Probably the same person who decided to call that one town in Pennsylvania, Intercourse.” She smirks.
“You’re not wrong,” I laugh with her. “Or maybe it was the person who gave Swallow Hill, Delaware, its name.”
“Oooh yeah! Also, did you know there’s a pee-pee township in Ohio?”
“Nope.” I shake my head. “But I’ve heard of Dickshooter, Idaho.”
“How about Gross Tete, Louisiana?” Heather laughs again, picking up her phone and typing out a few words. “Or Sugar Tit, South Carolina.” She drops her phone and unbuckles her seat belt so she can reach it.
“You’re not serious.”
“As a heart attack!” She beams back at me and gestures to her phone again. “Oh! Here’s another one. How about Wankers Corner, Oregon, or Nuttervi ? —”
POP!
“What the…”
The front left tire blows off the car in the lane next to us, causing it to hit our truck and send us flying through the air.
“Shit!”
“Bran!”
“Fuck! Heather, hold on!”
Heather’s arms fly out to her sides as she tries to grasp whatever she can hold on to. My eyes bulge and I grasp the steering wheel with all my might, as if I can control any piece of what’s happening to us in this very moment.
I’m scared…Terrified as a barrage of thoughts flicker through my mind before our vehicle hits the ground.
Will we live through this?
We have to live through this.
What do I do?
Mom? Dad?
They won’t know.
Who will tell them?
We’re an hour away at least.
They’ll never get here…
Fuck. I’m so sorry.
I love you all.
“Heather!”
I squeeze my eyes closed as we hit the ground with force and flip over once, twice, three times, landing on the roof of our truck and skidding across the northbound lanes. The sound of crushing metal rings in my ears, deafening me. I open my eyes just in time to see headlights headed right toward us but we’re not hit as the northbound car comes to a halt in front of us.
Breathing.
I’m still breathing.
Am I alive?
Is this real?
I’m breathing.
Maybe I’m okay…
Heather…
“Heather?” I say her name but she doesn’t answer me.
“Heather? You okay?”
Still no answer.
“HEATHER!”
I wake up in a pool of sweat, my heart racing as I push my eyes open and force myself to look around and realize I was only dreaming.
Wiping my hand over my face, I take in a deep calming breath and try to slow my heart rate. I haven’t had a nightmare like that in years. And it didn’t fucking feel good.
Stealing a glance outside my bedroom window, it must be near dawn as the sky is awakening and a few birds are singing in the trees. Though it’s early, there’s no way in hell I’m falling back asleep after the memories of my sister have slapped me wide awake. I lie back against my pillow and stare up at the ceiling. These are the hours during the day when I feel the loneliest. At night, I can just fall asleep, but in the early morning hours, before the town wakes up, before people start milling around in everyone else’s business, before I busy myself with everyone’s cars for the day, there’s nobody here for me to talk to.
The house is quiet.
The air is still.
And I’m left alone with my thoughts.
As weird as it sounds, I kind of wish Paige were here with me.
There’s something comforting about her. She’s so easy going. Like not much really bothers her. Well, except for cramps, that is. She’s got a cute personality.
If nothing else, her smile puts me at ease.
Her laugh lightens my mood.
And stealing glances at her…the freckles across her heart-shaped face, the way her eyes twinkle when she laughs, the way she gasped last night when we almost kissed.
Christ.
I almost kissed the pigeon last night.
Correction. She almost kissed me.
I haven’t kissed a girl in…wow. Longer than I can remember.
I don’t know why I didn’t just go for it.
The way she leaned into me, I think she was expecting it. I noticed the way her tongue darted out to moisten her lips. She definitely wasn’t giving off the don’t-do-it vibes.
Hell, maybe I missed my one good chance.
I could’ve finally felt those pretty pink lips against mine.
I could’ve tasted her.
Maybe she would’ve let me wrap my arms around her.
Hell, maybe she would’ve asked me to stay?
Would I have done it?
My body would’ve screamed for me to hell-yes-fucking-stay! But my brain…I suppose my brain knows better. Sitting up once more, I finally climb out of bed and gaze out the window. Checking for any sign of life across the street is futile. It’s way too early for Paige to be awake and alert. I’ll have to watch for her so I can offer her a ride into town since we didn’t get her car last night.
Before I throw on my overalls and head outside to feed the goats, I grab my phone and send a message to the one person in this town who understands me besides Larry. The only one who has been by my side since I moved to Tuft Swallow.
The only one who knows my pain.
Me
You awake?
JW
Of course, dear. The Tit Peepers are meeting at seven in the square. Early birds get the worms. *Smile emoji*
Me
It happened again.
JW
What happened again?
Me
I had a nightmare.
JW
Hmm. It’s been a while since you’ve had one. Was it as bad as the others?
Me
Yes. I woke up a sweaty mess.
JW
I’m so sorry, Bran. What brought that on? Have you been thinking about your sister?
Me
Only when Paige is around.
JW
Paige Starling? You’ve met Paige?
Me
You knew I would meet her eventually. You know she lives across the street. You know everything, remember?
JW
I knew you had met her because of this: *Picture of front page of Nosy Pecker with caption that reads: PECKS IN THE CITY ALERT! WE’RE GOING CUCKOO OVER THIS SWEET GESTURE!*
Me
Christ. That’s just what I need.
JW
Something you wish to share, Bran? *smirk emoji*
Me
No. She fainted at work and I just happened to find her. I got her to my truck and drove her home.
JW
Goodness, me! Is she alright?
Me
Yeah. She’s fine now. At least she was when I left her after making her dinner last night.
JW
Such a sweet man you are, Bran. I figured you two would meet eventually but why is she making you think of Heather?
Me
I don’t know. Same sense of humor. Same sense of compassion. Just reminds me a little of her. Also, she’s really pretty…
JW
*Smile emoji* She is indeed. And what do you think about that?
Me
I almost kissed her, Judy. And now that you ask why she reminds me of Heather I’m really hoping you’re not thinking that the fact I almost kissed her and she reminds me of my sister are two connected thoughts because they are not. That being said, I can’t stop thinking about her. It’s like I’m a different person when she’s around.
JW
Different could be good for you Bran. Are you wanting me to tell you not to go for it because I don’t think I want to do that. I believe the universe puts people in our lives for a reason. You and I are examples of that.
Me
Yeah. I know. You’re right, but I’m sure she’s not here long term. Rosie and Javan will be back eventually.
JW
Why worry about the future when you’re not living in the present?
Me
I hear you. Thanks Judy.
JW
*heart emoji*
Slipping my phone into my pocket, I take another brief look outside hoping to see Paige but there’s no reason for her to be outside this early. I know that. I brush my teeth and then head downstairs to pull on my boots. May as well get a head start on feeding the goats before we have to head into town.
“Maaaaaaa.” Winston is standing at the front of the pack right next to the gate when I enter the barn.
“Yeah, good morning to you too, bud. Sleep well?”
“Maaaaaaa.”
“No way. You had enough straw. I always give you a scoop more than the rest of them. You’re just a spoiled old man.” I quickly make my way through the barn cleaning out last night’s shit and letting Winston and the rest of his rascally friends roam in order to partake of the alfalfa hay available to them. I refill their water trough with fresh water and then fill their grain buckets for those who prefer it. By the time I’m finished, I’m a sweaty mess and in desperate need of a shower.
“Well good morning to you too friends,” I hear Paige’s voice coming from outside.
“Maaaaaaa.”
“Oh, I don’t think so.” She laughs at one of the smaller goats she rightfully referred to as an asshole not too long ago. “You fooled me once. Twice actually, but I will not be fooled by you again, Mister. Besides, I need to get a shower and get into work. Maybe another time, alright?”
“Maaaaaaa.”
“Good morning, Winston!” I glance out the window of the barn just in time to see her lean down and give Winston a kiss on the top of his head.
Aaaaand now I’m wishing I were a goat.
Would she kiss me if I bleated at her too?
That damn old man got a kiss from her before I did.
I suppose that’s my fault. I shouldn’t have pulled back when I had the chance.
“Maaaaaaa.”
“I’ll probably see you in town today, huh?” She looks at her house and then turns back around to Winston. “Actually…I think I might have to beg your hot daddy for a ride into town. Do you think he’ll do that for me? Is he here? Maybe I should ask him.”
Hot daddy?
That makes me smile so big my face hurts. Clearly I don’t use my smile muscles very much. I know I could pop out of the barn right now and tell her I’ll absolutely give her a ride, but then again, maybe I can spin this around a bit to make myself look good.
Hot daddy.
I chuckle inwardly as I unclip my overalls and let them hang down my body, showing off my ripped chest.
Yep. I’m going to play the hot daddy card.
She said it, not me.
I saunter outside as if I hadn’t heard her at all and then pretend I’m startled to see her standing at the fence.
“Oh,” she says with a sweet gasp. I don’t miss the way her eyes rake up and down my body.
Eat your heart out, Pigeon.
“Uh, good morning, Bran. You are here.”
“Thinking of jumping again, Pidge?” I ask, leaning on the pitchfork in my hand.
She smiles. “Uh, not today, no. Though I think that’s much to their disappointment.”
“They’re all assholes you know?”
“What?”
“You called them little assholes that day, but I never told you that you’re right about that. They are indeed little assholes.”
“Right.” She laughs. “I’ll try to remember that. No more cookies for them.”
“You getting a head start on walking to town or what?”
“No.” She shakes her head. “I just wanted to take a walk this morning since it’s so nice outside. I need to get a quick shower, but actually I was hoping you might be willing to give me a ride into town when you go? We kind of left my car at the shop yesterday so…”
I gesture with my chin. “Did you ask the old man?”
Her beautiful round eyes meet mine and her mouth falls into that cute little O shape.
Why does she have to be so pretty?
“What?”
“You have to ask the old man. He’s the one who will have to give up his seat.”
“Maaaaaaaa.” Winston bleats and Paige beams, pointing at him.
“That’s a yes! You heard it, right?”
I smile back at her but narrow my eyes in suspicion. “How do you know that’s a yes?”
She gestures with her finger between herself and Winston. “Goat telepathy. I know these things.”
“Ah.” I nod. “Alright then. Meet me out here in about forty minutes?”
“Alright. Thanks, Bran.”
“See you soon, Pidge.”
“But that’s love. One day you’ll find your pigeon and you won’t want anybody else.”
As I walk back to the house, I murmur to myself, “Alright, Heather. I hear you.”