| Chapter Nine |
| Justin hurried and grabbed his stuff, it was late, very late, he was ready to go. Him and Shaye planned their escape out, where to meet, what route to go, every little detail. Justin had said goodbye to his Dad earlier that day, knowing that his plane wasn't gonna leave until late. He grabbed the last of his things and put them in the truck, heading to him and Shaye's meeting place. When he got there, there was a note on the tree, it ready, "Justin, I'm sorry, but I can't go with you, I'm going somewhere else. Go on and live your life, forget about me. I still love you with every breath I take, but this is the only thing that feels right, right now. I love you deeply, Shaye" It took Justin a moment to take it all in, she said she still loved him, maybe that was a good thing? He felt his eyes tearing up, he got up his courage and walked to her house, banging on the door, the lights came on, "Justin? What are you doing?" "You have to talk to me, Shaye," "About what?" "What happened to us running away, together? What happened to all the plans we made?" "Justin, I'm only 17, I'm not ready for all this," "Do you love me?" "Yes! I love you," "Than come with me!" "I can't!" "Why?" "I just can't!" "So that's it? No more me and you? No more us?" "Stop it," "NO! For once Shaye, I'm gonna break your heart," "What?" "I'M breaking it off, FOR GOOD!" He tossed the crumpled note at her feet, "Have a nice life," He said running to his truck. He got there and leaned over the hood, trying to catch his breath, tears flooded his eyes. How could he let her slip away like that? He got in his truck, and cranked up his radio, as a song that reminded him of Shaye, played, He was working through college on my grandpa's farm. I was thirsting for knowledge and he had a car. I was caught somewhere between a woman and a child. When one restless summer we found love growing wild. On the banks of the river on a well beaten path. It's funny how those memories they last. Like strawberry wine at seventeen. The hot July moon saw everything. My first taste of love oh bittersweet. Green on the vine. Like strawberry wine. I still remember when thirty was old. And my biggest fear was September when he had to go. A few cards and letters and one long distance call. We drifted away like the leaves in the fall. But year after year I come back to this place. Just to remember the taste. Of strawberry wine at seventeen. The hot July moon saw everything. My first taste of love oh bittersweet. Green on the vine. Like strawberry wine. The fields have grown over now. Years since they've seen the plow. There's nothing time hasn't touched. Is it really him or the loss of my innocence. I've been missing so much. Like strawberry wine at seventeen. The hot July moon saw everything. My first taste of love oh bittersweet. Green on the vine. Like strawberry wine. The End! ("Lyrics and Title credit to Deana Carter's 'LIKE STRAWBERRY WINE.' I changed just a few words to go with the story :) Same song though!") |