Late in the concert Jessie wandered onto the stage, her dad’s Gibson at her side. She sat on a wooden stool and introduced a friend. Jacob made his way to a stool near her, and together they played a song they had just written. It was ethereal and sublime, a ballad, and elevated the mood of everyone in the building who instantly recognized the power of music to heal.
For Josh, watching Jessie share this experience with the man who saved his life and then gave him back to her - the woman Jacob himself loved - it was heavenly. He trusted Jessie implicitly, and was proud of her ability to soothe past hurts and encourage Jacob to play music again, to share the stage with her, even after all they had been through, and what Josh knew Jacob himself had given up.
But then – that was Jessie. She was forgiving and kind, respectful and compassionate, and those were only a few of the reasons why Josh loved her.
He settled back in the darkness to watch his girl share her soul with the people of the city she had feared for so long and, as her soothing voice filled the rafters, Josh exhaled and let the magic take him.
For, after any arduous journey, must come a time for respite. After the show, he would wrap his arms around her and never let her go. For both Josh and Jessie were aware that the stars were on their side once again - for how long neither could possibly know - and so they would not waste a second. They would cherish each other always and forever, and life would continue on its merry way of ups and downs and hills and valleys, rolling along like life does, on its gift of translucent fairy wings.
Josh closed his eyes. He didn’t need to see her, for he knew she was there, in the spotlight on the stage not far away; he could feel her presence even without the music.
Her spirit filled him as if she were calling him, demanding he listen.
I am Jessie, and you are Josh; believe in me as I believe in you.
When Stephen glanced over to his friend he saw a warm divine light shining from within, and if he ever doubted the love of God or any all-powerful loving energy, for certain he was witness to its presence now.
On stage, Jessie and Jacob finished their song, and Jessie stood to thank him.
“Jacob Ryan, everybody. Someone you will all hear a lot from in the days and years to come.”
Crazy cheering accompanied Jacob off stage. He waved as he left, after giving Jessie a chaste kiss on the cheek.
She had a little more to say. “There is no greater love than to lay down your life for a friend. Just so you know, everyone. Just so you know.”
And as she picked up her guitar to sing another song, she glanced over to the wings, where Jacob leaned against a railing in awe of the girl he once knew as Annie Hayden, and whom he missed desperately. Her smile was wide, and it was meant only for him. He nodded in gratitude, for even if she would never belong to him – and really, she never did – they would always be connected in their own simple way. Through music.
In the audience, Josh and Stephen exchanged warm glances. Friendship. It could be the oddest thing, or the simplest thing, but regardless of where it fit in the world it was everything, and it encompassed love in ways too complicated for folks to even begin to understand.
But what the boys knew, and what Jessie knew, is that friendship began with one simple phrase – love one another.
And that was always a good place to start.
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Lyrics from Jacob and Jessie’s Open Mic Tune:
“Silence, Bloodhound” by Christopher Rodgers
Used with permission of Christopher Rodgers
Available in the iTunes store
All other lyrics by Susan Rodgers
Like what you read? More Books by Susan Rodgers:
A Certain Kind of Freedom (July 2013)
Drifters Series:
A Song For Josh
Promises
No Greater Love
Riptide (July 2013)
Facebook as Susan A. Rodgers, Writer
Goodreads
Twitter: srbluemountain
[email protected]
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No Greater Love Page 45