The taxi stopped at the end of a long dirt driveway. John paid the bill and rushed out to open Dawn's door. He extended a hand as she exited the vehicle. Off in the distance, you could see strings of lights woven between tall trees and there was a smell of brisket and boudin in the air. As the cab pulled away, John started walking and turned to look at Dawn. Knowing RayRays wife, she would thwack him over the head if he didn't walk with her. Bending his arm towards her, he beckoned her to follow him. Dawn looked at him and crinkled her nose slightly when she smiled at his chivalrous gesture. Johns heart jumped. God, what was it with this woman? She walked up to him and instead of taking his arm, she put her hands on his waist and began untucking his shirt from his waistband. “What are you doing?” he laughed. After his shirt was free, Dawn looked at him. “If you are going to some shindig in the woods, you are gonna stick out like a sore thumb with your shirt tucked in. You need to relax dude.” Dawn held her hand out. "Give me your phone." John didn't budge. Not accepting his reluctance, Dawn reached her hand into his front pocket, pulling herself closer to him as she grabbed his phone. He smelled so good. Old Spice. Retro, but she liked it. After removing his phone, she powered it down and put it in her bag. "You can have it back at the end of the night." Dawn turned and walked ahead of him toward the soiree. John stood there slightly perplexed for a moment and took after her. He could have sworn it was his idea to come here. He wasn't going to be able to think about anything but her for the rest of the night. Tomorrow, he would devote all of his attention to what happened to Jason. He would be the devoted brother, the reliable son, and the upstanding member of society. Tonight, he was going to be himself. It may be the last chance he got to do so.

The closer they got, the louder the music got. There was a plywood dance floor with children running around on it as the band strummed away on their instruments. No sooner had they passed the first table, they were spotted. “AYYYYY JOHNNY BOY!!!” A short portly woman wielding a large mixing spoon came running up to him. “Sha, where you been?” She wrapped him up in a huge hug. John hugged her back. As she finally let him go, she spotted Dawn. “Did you walk with her?” John nodded as she grabbed her hand and pulled them toward the main gathering of folks over by where the smells were coming from. “Ey Ray? You nevah gonna guess who is here!”. The crowd split as the music stopped and an elderly man turned from standing over the grill to look at them. John brushed Dawn's hand as he approached them. “And just who might you be Mon Cher?” John snickered at his adoptive father. Ray was a 67 year old backwoods sweetheart. Every weekend, you could find him cooking and having some kind of party. There wasn't a soul for miles who didn't love him like a father. John included. He practically raised him. John worked with his son when he was younger and when they had a long day, Ray's wife Anita would insist he stay over. He thought of them like family. John hugged the man with his free arm and looked around. It couldn't have been easy setting all of this up every weekend. “Boy am I glad to see you Ray, it's been way too long.” John let go of Dawn's hand just as Anita came up with two big plates. After shoving one in Dawn's hand and the other in Johns, she looked around at the crowd.”Lionel? Who told you to stop playing? You better start picking at them strings before I bust that guitar over your head!” The crowd laughed as the music resumed and people went about their business. John pulled up a chair for Ray and they all sat down to eat. Ray sat back and took a deep breath. “ You here cuz of Jason?” John almost choked. Ray was never one to sugar coat a question. He could tell by looking at John that something was on his mind. Anita sat a drink down next to each of them and sat down next to her husband. “Talk about that another time now, he just got here. Let them eat.”

John took a drink and began the introductions.”Dawn, this is Anita and Ray Durand.” John turned to his faux parents. “And this is Dawn, I met her tonight.” Ray perked up. “Dawn? Like the mornin?” Dawn smiled, happy someone got it. “Yes sir.” Ray sat back. “That's a beautiful name. Well, we sure glad you here Dawn. Stick around and I bet you a biscuit before this night is over, Ma here gonna get dat boy up on dat stage.” Josh paused for a moment and took a drink. “And what makes you think that?” she asked. Anita got up and walked toward the stage. “Easy, just wait and watch.” Dawn laughed. He was so charming. “Don't count on it Ray. Ive had a long day. She can ask as much as she wants, but it's not happening.” Ray just sat back and laughed as they ate. Dawn started her food again. Oh it was so good! The brisket meat was so tender and the potato salad was like heaven. Before she knew what was happening, John turned and raised his hand to her face and wiped her chin. Dawn froze at the feel of his knuckles grazing her jaw. "You had a little something", he said as he went back to his plate. Anita came back and sat down by her. A new song started as she leaned in close to Dawn and whispered in her ear. “Countdown from ten.” Dawn looked intrigued and puzzled at the same time. Johnny Cashs Ring of Fire started to play.

10….the singer started forgetting words to the song. A nerve in John's jaw ticked but for the most part he was fine.

9….. The guitarist started getting chords wrong...John re-positioned himself on the bench they sat on.

8….John itched his right ankle with the toe of his left...

7….he kicked his shoes off...

6… his socks came off….

5…. He put his fork down and stared at Anita. “Seriously? Did you put him up to this?” He laughed as Anita sat there shaking her head and giggling. She knew exactly what she had done.

4…...His foot began to tap in frustration as his fingers tapped in tune with the song.

3….John stood up.”Excuse me Dawn, I'll be back in a moment.” He walked toward the stage. The guy singing started laughing hysterically as he removed the guitar strap from his neck. "You son of a bitch!" John shouted as he stepped up and took the guys place. Dawn was enthralled with whatever that woman had done. The song wasn't anything special really. It was an old Johnny Cash song. Obviously it had meaning for John though.

2…. John picked up the instrument, raised the microphone, and sat on a stool…

1….John started to play...

“What happened? Does he not like the song?” Dawn raised a brow as she tried to analyze what had transpired. Just as Ray began to answer, John began to play. Dawn was speechless. After a few chords, he looked up and began to sing into the microphone. The crowd went silent as wave after wave of Cashs cover of Nine Inch Nails “Hurt” washed over the crowd. She was fixed on him. His voice was deep and rough yet smooth. As he moved his hand along the neck of that guitar, a gentle side of him emerged. He seemed almost lost in the words as he played on. Anita looked over at her as the music picked up. That girl was hooked on her boy and she didn't even know it yet. In all her years, she had never seen a woman look at John the way Dawn was looking at him now. "John is a funny boy." Anita turned to face Dawn. "Ya see, he has this thing about Johnny Cash. It drives him nuts if it gets messed up." Anita picked up her drink and took a sip. "If you dont mind my asking, why is everyone barefoot? Why did he take his shoes off before he started to play?" Ray smiled and took a drink as Anita began to explain. "Well we have a tradition here. If you get on the dance floor or the stage, you gotta be barefoot. that way, if you step on anyone's toes, it doesn't hurt. John used to be very clumsy so it just became habit after awhile. Most folks just wear flip flops." Dawn smiled and took a drink as he played on. “And you can have it all, my empire of dirt. I will let you down. I will make you hurt.” Goosebumps rose on Dawn's arms as she listened intently. The final verse was over before she realized she had tears in her eyes. A pin could drop out there it was so quiet. Anita stood up and shouted as John got off the stage. “LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER!” and the crowd resumed its previous actions. Ray leaned in close.”You owe me a biscuit Cher” he said while he chuckled at what his wife had done.

John made his way over. “ Why don't you dance with that girl boy, before I do.” John stood in front of Dawn and extended his hand. Not a single word escaped his face. Dawn set her drink down and placed her hand in his as she stood up. Noticing everyone else too had removed their footwear, she followed suit. The grass was thick and soft between her toes. They walked over to the dance floor as the band started playing again. His hand was so warm. As they joined the other couples, John placed his hand on her waist and they began to dance. “ I'm sorry if that made you uncomfortable at all. She likes when I sing.” Dawn looked at him. Was he not able to hear himself? The way he carried himself after he got off that stage, one would think he was ashamed of his performance. From where Dawn was, it was flawless. “ Oh no, it's fine. I enjoyed it a lot. You are really good. Does that song have a specific meaning to you or anything?” John had to focus in order to answer her. She smelled of lavender and vanilla. He gathered his thoughts and spoke. “My dad really liked Johnny Cash and he would hum it all the time before he died.” Dawn felt so bad for asking. “I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to pry.” John shook his head. “Don't worry about it. I just haven't heard, much less played it since he passed. It was nice to revisit that again.” Dawn moved closer and rested her head on his shoulder. His heartbeat echoed in her ear. There was a pain in this man. She didn't know why nor what it was but it was there. The night wore on and they flitted across the floor as the guests thinned out. Eventually the music stopped . John looked up, having become enthralled with the feel of this woman in his arms. Dawn lifted her head and looked around as well. They looked at each other and chuckled. “I think we better go, huh?” Dawn asked. They remained standing, looking at each other for a few more moments. “I guess so” John finally replied. Dawn stayed looking at him. His eyes were spectacular. Green with flecks of amber. As they stood there captivated by each others gaze, John dipped his head ever so slightly as Dawn rose on her toes towards him. Their lips brushed softly as he raised his hand to brush the hair from her face. His fingers entwined in it as they kissed… Warmth rose from the center of their bodies and spread throughout every inch of their extremities. John pulled away slightly and rested his forehead on hers as he took a deep breath. He could feel her pulse quickening. She traced her fingers up his arms and clasped her hands behind his neck.

Anita opened the screen door to the house and hollered. “You sleeping outside?” Both John and Dawn laughed and separated. It's too late to get home now so you bettah just come on inside. I done made up a room for you.” The couple turned toward the house and walked up the steps to the door. “You,” Anita said. “You can get the couch tonight.” John smiled as Dawn went up the stairs after her. He ran his hands over his face to try and clear his head. What had happened tonight? He had been roped into singing before, but this was different. As soon as he finished the song, all he saw was Dawn. He needed her near him. He would have run to her if he wouldn't have looked like an idiot. Now she probably thinks he was trying to get fresh with her. God! who even used the word "fresh" anymore? Thoroughly embarrassed with the events of the evening, he walked through the Foyer to the living room and sure enough, the couch was made up. Sheet on the cushion, pillows and all. He had really missed being out here. He took off his pants and shirt, folded them, and placed them at the end of the couch. As he climbed under the covers he tried to make sense of the evening. Eventually he drifted off to the sound of the frogs outside.

Dawn followed Anita up the stairs to the first bedroom on the left. “There is soap in the bathroom around the corner and fresh towels in da pantry. Me and Ray are just at the end of the hall if you need anything.” Dawn nodded as Anita turned to leave. The door creaked on it's hinges as it was swung closed. Dawn giggled and put her hand to her lips. Had that really just happened? She had never in her life felt a pull that strong towards another person. The sound of him playing still resonated in her mind. She had always been good at detecting how others felt, but this was on a whole other level. Getting in the bed, she tried to clear her mind. The evening certainly turned out different than how she imagined it would. At most, she was thinking they would get burger or something. She was glad though. She might lose her job over one of those photos, but she hadn't had this much fun in years. Letting out a big yawn, she nestled into the blankets and fell asleep.