Gifted Connections 3

“Let me guess… it’s a lap top,” I joked, remembering that’s what he got me the first times.

He fake-glowered at me. “It’s not fair that you remember what I got you the first time.”

I laughed. “I still need it and it will come in handy this weekend to finish my papers that are due.”

He smiled as I opened the gift. I kissed his cheek and smiled at him when my assumptions were proven correct.

Jaxson handed me a square box and I was surprised to find, in addition to the bracelets, there was also a gift card for a tattoo shop in town. He grinned at me. “I knew you wanted to cover up the scarring on your back. I figured it was time for another tattoo for me, too.”

I leaned in and kissed him. “Thank you. Now I need to figure out what I want.”

Jace came over and handed me two large boxes. “I know this is a violin,” I teased him. “But what’s that?” I asked him.

He gave me a smug grin. “Open it up.”

I opened it up and gasped as I looked at the guitar nestled inside. I immediately took it out and realized it was already in tune. Everything faded in the background as I began to play the song I had begun to compose in the laundry room. It felt like I was getting reacquainted with a long-lost friend. I immersed myself in the music and smiled to myself when the final note wrung out.

I was brought back to reality as there was applause surrounding me. I looked up, slightly startled and smiled. “Thank you,” I said a bit sheepishly.

“Sing us a song,” Troy bade me.

I looked over at Gavin and gave him a teasing smile. “Only if Gavin will accompany me.”

“Gavin can’t-” Jemmy looked at Gavin. “Can you sing?” She looked at him with accusatory eyes.

Gavin glared at me. “Only in the shower,” he denied vehemently.

“Come on,” I bade him. “I know you like country. Let’s sing some Whiskey Lullaby,” I insisted.

“Ake!” he said in exasperation.

“Come on,” I wheedled once more. “It’s my birthday!”

“Gavin. Gavin.” Jemmy started to chant and most of the others joined in.

Gavin caved under the pressure, and soon he was sitting next to me and singing the song with me. We got lost in the eerie melody of the song about a woman’s transgressions and her husband killing himself over the pain. In essence, he drank himself to death. Eventually she succumbed to death, too, with her guilt following him to her grave. They were buried beneath the same tree.

I missed singing. I still wished I would have known where that path would have led had I had the chance to find out. Maybe one day I would be able to follow that path once more. It was hard to plan a future or know where it may lead me without knowing when or if Horatio could be taken out.

The song ended and we were met with applause once more.

“You can sing!” Sierra and Jemmy said simultaneously. Sierra seemed pleasantly surprised, while Jemmy sounded like Gavin had hidden a deep dark secret from her.

Gavin ducked his head and nodded before he sent me a perturbed look. “I can carry a tune.”

“You can carry more than a tune,” Megan said impressed. “You guys sounded great. Can we hear another?”

“Can we hear a less depressing song?” Marcel quipped.

I laughed as Dawn stood up. “Firs

t, Blake needs to open her other gifts.”

“You haven’t eaten your cake either,” Micah nodded towards my cake.

“I will.” I smiled as Troy proffered a fork with cake on the end of it. I opened my mouth and took it with a smile.

My birthday celebration was more than I could have ever dreamed of. I had been spoiled beyond any expectations. Most of my presents were still stacked on the kitchen table. I didn’t want to find homes for all my new stuff yet. Our apartment was tight on space, and we had to find more storage solutions.