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"There she goes, listen. Isn't that the most hypnotizing sound you have ever heard. It just demands your attention." Rob shared. "It, she's a thirteen year old little girl, that's gone through a tragedy hopefully none of you will never know. Her name is Jessy. I'm sorry, right now I think listening to you was the biggest mistake I've ever made." Christi insisted as Jessy stopped singing. "Christi, let me apologize for his rudeness. I researched Rob's claims before ever setting this appointment, I understand what Jessy has been through. She's a remarkably strong young lady." Chris Sabec explained. "I'm sorry I tend to be over protective of her, she's always complaining of that, when she decides to talk. You know she used to be such a chatter box, she made everyone smile just being around her." Christi shared as she looked out the window at her, shaking her head before finishing, "Now she can't stand being around people. She ups and leaves, just like a few minutes ago. Chrisit was referring to the discussion between Jessy, herself, Rob, the Uncle of one of her closer friends who happened to know Walker Hanson, who in turn called Chris. Chris had given up his Law Practice, to personally represent Hanson, a trio of long blonde haired brothers from Tulsa who rose to super stardom almost four years ago and at this point in their life, they were considering starting their own recording label. That's what brought Jessy to the point of saying, "I'm outta here. Call me when you're ready." she said making her way out the door and heading for the edge of the small lake near the studio. Laughter filled the air suddenly and Jessy stared at the big house across the lake, as memories filled her mind. She was left with only memories thanks to the stupidity of one man who ruined the lives of so many because of alcohol. Like so many others, he felt he wasn't drunk, just had a few with the boys after work, but he was wrong, dead wrong. That fateful night in his alcohol induced relaxed state he crossed over the center line and her mother and four brothers were his first victims. They were on their way home from the airport where they had just put her on a plane to finally meet her 'internet sister', Chele. The second victims, were his wife and two young children who were now without a provider, a husband and father, because he now was imprisoned for five counts of involuntary manslaughter. Jessy will never forget the night when her grandmother called to tell Chele's folks then told Jessy, she screamed her last word for months, "No." Six hours after arriving, she returned home for the funeral, surrounded by her Grandmother, cousins and close friends she had gone to school with all her life. They were determined to protect her from him, not allowing him to even speak to her. The him was her father, a man that only three years before this tragedy had told her he hated her. Jessy understood it was because she would not waiver from staying with her mother during and after the divorce. At times she felt that everything bad, all of his hatred and the terrible things he put her mother through, were all because she had foiled his plan to take all the children from her mother to punish her for filing for divorce. What he would never understand was Jessy was proud of that fact. Over the next few months, he reaffirmed her beliefs that he preferred living in hatred not peace by trying to gain custody of her. Her mother had named her mother guardian of the children to assure that they were raised in a loving not hate filled environment. Her father's taking her Grandmother to court for custody of her, brought Jessy's first words in months, "Your honor, I beg you to allow me to stay where I am. There is no relationship between the two of us worth speaking of, it actually fills me with shame that I am related, but I can't change the fact that I wouldn't be here now begging you not to make me see or be with him, if not for him, he is my father. It's a fact that I cannot change nor am I proud of it. Thank you for allowing me to speak." Jessy stood proud and spoke clearly, not to utter another word for another month. Then instead of talking, Jessy who had turned to pen and paper as a means of communication, stared at the words she had written over and over and suddenly she began singing them. Her Grandmother was so shocked, you see before this, they had always teased Jessy about her singing because she had a tendency to sing off key at times. But this was something totally different. "Sweetie, where did that come from, you've never sung like that before?" Grandmother asked. "I guess it's how I feel Gramma. I don't know." Jessy explained. "What's the name of that song, I don't think I've ever heard it before this?" Grandmother asked. "Well maybe it's because those are the words I had just written down and I just felt the music." Jessy shared. At that point Jessy borrowed a keyboard from Erica, a friend from school and began writing down her song. Erica told another friend and soon word was out that Jessy had written a song, and in a required Music class, Jessy was approached by her teacher, Mr. Franks, to share. She wrote her excuses, and he respected her wishes but offered any help she might need. It was a few days after that, when the last bell rang, Jessy rushed to his room to ask his opinion. They waited until the hustle and bustle of everyone leaving school and the last of the baseball and track members making their way outside, before Jessy played and sang her song for the first time. "Jessy I don't know what to say. I'm embarassed that I thought I could help you in anyway, that is one of the most lovely pieces I've ever heard. Such talent, have you always been able to sing?" he asked. Jessy explained what she thought had happened, that the pain she lived with manifested itself as music, her special way of communicating since she didn't feel like talking. He spoke of singing professionally and suggested that she go back through her other writings to see if she felt more music. Unknown to both of them, one of Jessy's friends, Melissa her friend that had promised her Hanson concert tickets and backstage passes over a year ago, had been doing some weight training instead of running outside. Melissa sat in the stairwell leading to the band room listening to her friend. Melissa also heard Jessy begging that he not tell a soul, that noone else new except her Grandmother. Melissa had every intention of honoring Jessy's wishes to keep it to herself, but when she arrived home that night to find her Uncle Rob that knew Walker Hanson, she figured it was a sign. She told him of Jessy and he asked her to get a tape of her singing. Melissa knew the chances of that happening were slim so the two of them headed to Jessy's house, parking down the street and walking the rest of the way. As they neared they heard her song and they rushed the rest of the way to tape what they could. This was the tape that he shared with Walker Hanson, who then contacted Chris Sabec. When her Grandmother was contacted, after the initial anger of Jessy's privacy being violated, she called her granddaughter Christi, 27, who was studying Law, to take over Jessy's guardianship when Jessy decided she wanted to try for the recording contract. At first she was totally against it, positive she could never sing publicly, share that part of herself, but when Christi came back from her initial meeting with Walker Hanson who had explained that they were about to start their own record label, Jessy's interest was peaked and here they were in Tulsa, at the home of Hanson, the big house across the lake, and she had walked out of their recording studio as everyone talked about her. "Hanson. Sis would never believe it. Sis. I'm so sorry." Jessy mumbled staring at her reflection in the lake and suddenly all she saw what Chele. "Excuse me I need a telephone, Christi where's the cell?" Jessy interrupted. "I think it's in the car. You okay?" Christi asked. "I have to call Sis and tell her I'm sorry." Jessy said. "Chele? You haven't spoke of her..." Christi stopped in mid sentence as Jessy turned and headed to her car, grabbing the phone and dialing. "Excuse me, Jessy hasn't spoken to Chele since she returned home from there for the funeral. Jessy feels guilty, because her mother and brothers were on that road that night because they were headed home after putting her on a flight to spend Sring Break with Chele. She was there a total of six hours before returning home to bury her family. She hasn't spoken to or of her 'Internet Sis' since." Christi explained watching her through the window. "So many firsts, to worry through. It does end in time." Chris said patting her hand. "Hello. Momma Donna. It's me Jessy. Is Sis home, I have to tell her how sorry I am. I felt so guilty that I took it out on her. I have to tell her." Jessy explained almost in tears. "She knows sweetie. She's been waiting for you to write or call. Let me get her." Donna said. "Sis is it really you?" Chele asked excitedly. "Yeah, well that is unless you replaced me?" Jessy teased. "You Panda Boob. How blonde are you?" Chele teased. "As blonde as you, Monkey Butt. Sis. I'm sorry, I sort of blamed you along with me. You know." Jessy shared. "I figured as much. I was going to come out and kick you butt for it, but Mom said no you had enough to deal with and maybe facing me wasn't what you needed." Chele explained. "What? Mom go dye her hair blonde or something?" Jessy teased. "Hey Mom Jessy thinks you dyed your hair blonde!" Chele shared and Jessy listened as she explained. "Sis I'm calling to see if you'll skip school and come see me for the weekend?" Jessy asked. "What me skip school? How soon do I leave?" Chele answered. "I don't know I haven't called the airline yet. Umm hang on while I go borrow another phone. Are you packing?" Jessy asked as she walked back into the studio picking up the phone book, looking up a number then dialing the phone, "Oops can I use your phone? It's local." Jessy asked embarassed for her lack of manners. "Sure Jessy. Need any help?" Walker asked. "Nah. I've gotten use to doing things by myself. And don't bother to call me stubborn. It won't change it." Jessy answered then quickly faced her cousin and warned her. "Yes looking for a direct flight, Charleston, West Virginia to Tulsa, Oklahoma and as soon as possible of course." Jessy asked teasingly as Christi just stood smiling, shaking her head in disbelief. "Hey that's great. It's a good thing she's packing." Jessy said giving her the needed billing information and then ticket pickup information on Chele. "Did you hear all my answers and am I still a good sister?" Jessy asked. "Yeah you're a good sister, everything is correct." Chele said and Jessy told her the flight information. "Let me ask Mom, I forget all about that you have.." Jessy stopped in mid sentence looking at the picture of her family as she put away her charge card. "Sorry, that you have parents to ask permission of. It's the one perk in all this." Jessy finished. "Already asked her, no told her I was going to spend the weekend with you and she said fine." Chele informed. "Oh Sis, I forgot to tell you, I'm not at home, I'm in Tulsa with the Hansons." Jessy explained and quickly pulled the phone away for her ear as her volume soared. Two or three times Jessy brought the phone nearer only to extend her arm again. "Are you through? Geez Sis that's embarassing." Jessy said and started laughing. "Just get on the plane, go." Jessy choked out between rounds of laughter. As soon as she hung up, she immediately dialed the hotel they were staying at, "Hey front desk this Jessy room 346. Yeah the quiet one. Can you get me a room next to mine, or move me to an adjoining I have a friend coming in for the weekend and I haven't spoken in three or four months and I have a lot of talking to catch up on." Jessy asked. "Whew girl, take a breath." the clerk teased. "Jessy see about getting me a room near you too. I think I'll stay through the weekend too." Chris asked. "Sure Chris. Hey front desk can you make that two rooms, that makes three all together and two adjoining if possible. That sounds great. Umm we hadn't unpacked yet, just dropped the bags off and left. Do you think you could do me a favor?" Jessy asked. "Sure Jessy, we'll take care of it for you. Just stop by the desk when you get back." the clerk said. "That's great. Thanks again." Jessy said flipping through the phonebook and dialing one more time and arranging for delivery of flowers to the desk clerk. "You can run them down now. That's great thanks alot." Jessy said turning to the group. "You guys ready yet or not?" Jessy asked. "Let's go for it Jessy." Walker said taking her by the hand and leading her to the recording booth. "We thought we'd have Tay play and you just worry about singing. He's listened to the demo you made and sent in, gone over your notes. I think it'll be good Jessy." Walker explained. "Hey you been at this a long, long time. I'm no fool, I'm not going to argue unless you turn out to be wrong." Jessy teased as he moved the mic into place. "When ever you're ready Jessy." Taylor said. Jessy stood there, shutting her eyes, breathing deep, then grasping a locket she wore around her neck before opening her eyes and nodding yes to Taylor. First time through it was a charm and she had them all in tears by the time Walker called it a wrap. "Beautiful Jessy." Walker sniffled. "You're just an old softy like I imagined all these years." Jessy teased. "If that's it. There is something I'd really love to do if Taylor's game, 'With You In Your Dreams'. Man you guys have no idea what that song has meant to me lately." Jessy said tears filling here eyes and making their way down her check as she took a deep breath. "I'd love to Jessy. Since you've thought of doing a duet, how'd it go?" Taylor asked. "You're lead of course. Me I just get to sing a little harmony. We sound great together in my room." Jessy teased as they moved in a mic for Taylor. "I'm ready. You ready Dad, Chris?" Taylor asked and when he received a thumbs up, "How about you Jessy?" he asked. "Make my day." Jessy smiled and it was better than she had ever imagined. "God Jessy, I've never felt so right about that song. Thanks. That was awesome!" Taylor praised. "We kick butt." Jessy said sweetly then giggled. "That you certainly did young lady. Anymore bright ideas in that pretty head of yours?" Walker asked. "Me? No I've just listened to that one in particular a lot lately and geez, I love all of the guys' music. They're great musicians. I've got a couple other songs I haven't finished yet." Jessy shared. "Hey Jessy will you sing my favorite with the guys?" Chris asked. "Sure you've been nice. What's your favorite?" Jessy asked. "'I Will Come To You" answered Hanson in unison. "Wow that was really good guys. How come you can't do that when you need to?" Jessy teased. "Jessy. I like the talking model better." Zac shared making Jessy smile. They moved to the larger recording booth already set up with the guys' instruments and they quickly sat up a mic for Jessy. "Jessy don't be shy. Even if you feel like outsinging Tay, go for it." Isaac said wrapping an arm around her. "I couldn't do that." Jessy argued. "I bet you could and the song would be great. At least give him a good run for his money." Isaac insisted. They ran through the number a couple of times, each time Isaac pushing Jessy to go after Tay. On the third try, Isaac kept after Jessy, teasing by nudging her with his guitar until she finally let loose and sang what she felt. "That's my girl. I knew you could do it Jessy. I've never heard that song done as well." Isaac complimented her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and hugging her tight. "You rock Jessy. You have got to sign with us. We'll have a great time promoting you." Taylor insisted. "Yeah right." Jessy said sarcastically as she removed her headphones and made her way to the control room, talking with Chris and Walker before making her way to the bathroom. When Jessy was finished, she headed out to the lake again skipping stones. "You tired? Sometimes I get so tired recording I feel like I need a nap." Zac shared as he neared. "Yeah. I'm whooped emotionally. I just didn't know how to tell you guys without making you think I'm a bigger lunatic than you already think I am." Jessy answered as she walked off towards the woods, picking up a stick and returning to the sand surrounding the lake, drawing and scribbling. "Cool. Can I borrow your stick a minute?" Zac asked and began drawing a shapley person with long hair that he labeled Jessy. Then he went to work on a long haired stick person he labeled Zac. "Nice a Zac and a Jessy. Very good Zac." Jessy teased as Zac drew a smile on Zac and then a smile on Jessy. Jessy glanced at Zac noticing him smiling before she looked away. When she turned back she found he was either still smiling or smiling again and Jessy couldn't help but smile. "You have a pretty smile Jessy. Thanks for sharing it." Zac said so sincerely Jessy was drawn to him, their eyes meeting. "Zac why?" Jessy asked. "It's just I'd hope someone would care enough to make me smile, help me see that as much as it hurts, things will get better. And someday I'd smile again." Zac shared as Jessy was overcome by his kindness and her eyes filled with tears again. As she turned to walk away, "Jessy you don't have to walk away. I understand if you cry. And if I don't, I'll ask." Zac insisted. "I don't know Zac." Jessy said looking away. "Just try Jessy?" Zac asked lightly stroking her hand then gently holding it. "Sis? Jessy." Chele called out. "Chele?" Jessy mumbled as the two turned to see Chele stepping out of Christi's red Mustang GT convertible. "Sis." Jessy screamed heading her way. "Sis" Chele screamed racing towards her. They screamed, hugged, jumped and then they cried, mostly Chele cried. "I'm sorry I shut you out the way I did. I don't know what came over me. How could I think I'd survive this without you?" Jessy asked holding her tight as she cried.
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