you and I will have a much better life than the one we have now. You won’t have to walk around in fear of saying or doing the wrong thing, and you’ll finally be able to live your dreams. I’m taking you away from here, my beautiful girl. We’ll build a log cabin in the woods, just like you’ve always wanted. You can play this guitar out under the stars, and you can finally be happy. If for whatever reason, something happens to me before I can make this a reality for you, this letter serves as legal and binding proof that sole ownership of Hummingbird Records transfers over to you immediately. Your mother’s stake in the company was never legally binding; it only existed on paper, and only for the length of our marriage, so she would let me keep you. You are the sole owner of your life and the decisions you make about your future. No one can tell you what to sing, what to play, or who to be. It’s all up to you, hummingbird. If I’m not around and you ever forget for one moment how much I love you, just take out this letter and you’ll always be reminded. Sing what you want to sing, write what you want to write, and play what you want to play. Be amazing and be free. Let the music take you where you want to go.
Love,
Dad
My fingers trace Jack's handwriting as I read through the letter one last time. It was signed and notarized by Jack Carlysle’s private attorney who coincidentally passed away from a heart attack the week before Jack died. By making a few copies, I was finally able to set Layla free. Sitting here in my office, I look around at the emptiness and realize that I’m not ready to be free of her. I don’t know how to be free of her. I don’t know how to move on without her in my life, and I don’t think I’ll ever learn. Shutting the file and shoving it back in my drawer, I jump up from my desk and run towards the door, opening it quickly and running right into Gwen.
“Jesus, it’s about time. I was wondering how long it would take you sitting there feeling sorry for yourself before you finally got your head out of your ass,” she says with a roll of her eyes.
“I thought you went for coffee?” I ask her, staring down at her empty hands.
“Nope. I knew what you would do as soon as I walked out the door. You read that letter every time I’m not in the room. I was standing out here with my fingers crossed hoping this time it would finally sink in,” she explains.
“Hoping what would sink in?” I ask her dumbly.
“Duh. That you can’t live without her. And that Emma and I will be okay. You’ve done more than enough, Brady,” she replies softly, reaching into her purse and pulling out her cell phone.
I stand there staring at my sister with a look of shock on my face as she dials the phone.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got it all under control,” she tells me as she puts the phone to her ear. “Good thing I’m the smart sibling in this relationship and kept in touch with June.”
I continue to stare at her in wonder, but she keeps right on talking without waiting for a reply.
“I’ve been talking to her every couple of days to see how things are going and I swear to God, it took everything in me not to punch you in the face for staying away, making both of you completely miserable. June’s going to be so happy that we won’t have to talk about what an idiot you are anymore. Hi, June, it’s Gwen,” she says into the phone, no longer talking to me.
I stand there not saying a word as I listen to Gwen making plans and arrangements for me, laughing and joking with June about how I’m finally finished being pig headed. I’d scoff at her, but she’s right. I’ve been an asshole. I’ve made so many mistakes that I don’t even know where to begin making amends. Thank God I have Gwen.
I’ll do whatever she tells me because I want this to work. It has to work. I can’t go on living like this anymore.
“Pack your bags, Brother. You’re going on tour,” Gwen tells me with a huge smile a few minutes later as she hangs