Chapter 24 #2
The couple sitting on Leslie's porch swing is exactly what I'd expect from Leslie's description. Kip Knox is tall and lean with an impressive collection of tattoos and the kind of natural charisma that makes crowds swoon. His girlfriend, Henley, is striking in a rock-goddess way, with platinum hair and the confidence of a woman who owns every stage she steps onto. The woman exudes the kind of energy that suggests she’s either your best friend or your worst enemy, but she also has a peaceful air about her. Her partner seems more like a toddler who can’t sit still… or stop grinning.
“Gray fucking Garrison!” Kip jumps up from the swing with a grin that lights up his entire face. “I heard through the grapevine you were living up here, but I figured it was just industry gossip. Bruh, we’re only like two hours and change from here down in Macon.”
“Kip Knox,” Gray responds with equal enthusiasm, accepting a bone-crushing hug. “What are the odds?”
“Apparently pretty good when you're both friends with your favorite village uncle.” Henley stands to introduce herself, outstretching her hand to Gray. “Henley Hendrix. I've been listening to Case in Point since its inception.”
Henley Hendrix is tiny, measuring shorter than me at 5'5, and she’s petite. She’s one of the most beautiful celebrities I’ve ever seen up close. Most pictures are edited in some way, but she’s a knockout, indeed.
“This is Rhea. The woman who saved my life.” Gray pulls me forward with obvious pride.
“The woman who let you save your own life,” I correct, accepting hugs from both Kip and Henley as if this isn’t our first time meeting.
“Ooh, I like her already,” Henley says with approval. “Smart and beautiful. You've got good taste, Garrison.”
I bask under her approval for just a moment and allow a woman like her to boost me a little.
The evening is full of laughter as Kip recounts their latest tour days with four-year-old twin boys.
The room smells of fresh coffee and Leslie’s French candles.
Henley matches Kip’s energy, her laughter shining as brightly as the sun.
Between clinking glasses and Leslie’s commentary on everything, the mood is warm and easy.
This isn’t just a fun night. It’s more of a shared experience.
“So how did you and Leslie meet?” I ask during a brief lull in Kip's story about a particularly disastrous show in Memphis.
“Prison,” Kip says with a completely straight face, then breaks into laughter at my expression. “I’m just fucking with you! We both have a soft spot for the unfortunate. I rescue horses from sex clubs, and he rescues… well, everyone.”
“I thought we weren’t talking about Jack anymore,” Leslie chides gently, though he's clearly delighted by Kip's irreverence over him.
“Jack is a good boy.” Kip glares in Leslie’s direction, challenging him to disagree.
“That fucking horse tried to mount me!” Leslie exclaims.
I don’t have the first clue what they’re talking about or whether the two jokers are even being serious. “Who’s Jack?”
“Oh! Let me catch you up, Suga Boo Boo,” Leslie says, before he shushes Kip’s attempt to answer my question.
“Jack is the poor horse soul who was being victimized at a club known for certain vile acts, and Kip discovered him.” Leslie signs the cross.
“Bless him, if it hadn’t been for Kip, that poor horse would’ve known such a cruel and unfortunate life and likely a worse ending. ”
“Jack’s my emotional support horse,” Kip tacks on. “I rescued him from Miami, rode him down the streets with my best friend’s girlfriend, and took him to my hotel room, but an undisclosed snitch ratted us out. We had to relocate Jack until I could get him back to Macon.”
We’re all in stitches by the time the two finish telling the story together. Gray holds his sides like they hurt from laughing too much. “How in the hell did you get the horse in your hotel room?”
“Freight elevator, bruh.” Amusement dances in Kip’s eyes. “Anyway, Leslie and I met when he coordinated an event for the label we own in Atlanta several years back. He took one look at me and decided I was a hell of a specimen, and while he can’t have my body, he can have a friendship with me.”
Leslie bats his lashes in disbelief. “I never said you were one hell of a specimen. I believe the word I used to describe you was ‘lunatic’.”
“Leslie has a gift for seeing potential in people. He walked into our recording studio for the first time and saw everything it could become.” Gray shares a brief little backstory about how we befriended Leslie.
“Speaking of which, we'd love to see it tomorrow if you're up for giving us a tour,” Henley directs her words to me.
Even after spending half the afternoon and evening with her, I still can’t believe I’m sitting around all casual-like, talking to Henley Hendrix like she isn’t a legend in the blues and rock worlds.
We all work together to help Leslie cook our dinner.
I see Henley pause, smiling and intently dialing into Kip's stories.
Gray and Kip join in, and soon we're all sharing stories and laughter as we prepare a meal.
While we pass dishes, Gray gives me a look that quietly says, “Look how far we've come.” This small moment of working together shows the spirit of our village, where everyone helps, and even simple chores become a task to enjoy.
Our village is more than a place. Dogwood Hollow is a community revolving around shared efforts and care.
We're surrounded by people who have chosen to be family, all connected by the land and the work we do together.
“Thank you for tonight, for this weekend, and for everything you've brought to our village,” I tell Leslie as Gray and I prepare to leave.
“Suga Boo Boo, this village saved me just as much as I've helped it. Sometimes the best thing you can do is find your people and love them as loudly as possible.”
Walking back to my apartment with Gray's hand in mine, I think about Xavier's words about taking care of ourselves first so we can take care of each other. For the first time in years, I feel like we've found that balance.
We're not just surviving anymore. We're thriving.
Looking ahead, I know new challenges and surprises will give us joy and make us stronger.
The band tour brings new opportunities, but also time apart, which might be tough.
We might expand the studio—exciting, but it is a little scary due to costs.
There will be difficulties, but we’re ready to face whatever comes next together.
Shyness creeps in as I lean over and ask him, “Do you want to stay the night?”
A knowing grin spreads across his lips as he leans in and answers, “And wake up with you in my arms? Yeah, baby, I want nothing more right now.” Pressing a kiss on my lips, he lingers there for a long moment, searching my eyes and face. “I love you, Rhea.”
“I love you, too, Gray.”