December 24th, 1999

Clinton, Mississippi

Darren pulled his gloves off of his hands before setting them down onto the table in the Little Ole Miss Diner. He unzipped his coat, letting out a breath of air ash he was able to remove his arms from the constraints his coat put on him. He smiled as the warmth of the diner washed over him, warming him from the inside out.

“Sorry, I’m late.” Darren looked up as his sister, Jasmine, rushed through the front doors of the diner before hurrying to his booth. Her cheeks were a bright pink, and her hair was pulled in different directions, dotted with snow. She let out a sigh as she threw her gloves onto the table, taking off her coat. “The snow is really comin’ down out there.” She gave a grin. “It’s just what I need to put into the Christmas mood.”

“Don’t worry, I just got here,” Darren replied, putting his hands up defensively as she settled down into the booth across from him, adjusting her pink and white Christmas sweater. “I ordered you a milkshake.” He then gave her an odd look, shaking her head. He reached for a sugar packet, slapping it against the heel of his palm. “How you can drink this in this weather, I’m not sure.”

“Its tradition,” Jasmine replied with a toothy smile. “We always come to this diner on Christmas Eve, you get apple cider and I get a milkshake and we toast ta the upcomin’ New Year.” She lifted a hand in the air, pretending to be holding a glass before she made a clinking sound with her mouth. “I’m just glad I was able to get home before the snowstorm hit.” She then reached across the table and hit Darren’s shoulder with her hand.”You look great, Dare.”

“So do you, Jazzy,” Darren replied with a warm smile. “I’m glad you were able ta make it home. So, how is school? MSA treatin’ you well?”

“Perfect,” Jasmine replied with a bright smile, tilting her head to the side, her hair falling over her face as she clasped her fingers together. “I love MSA and I’m so glad mom and dad allowed me ta go.” She rapped her knuckles on the table top, her eyes glowing. “Let’s order the Big Ole Miss. I’m starving.”

“Sounds good,” Darren replied with a nod of his head, tossing the sugar packet aside.

“So how’s she doing?” Jasmine asked, lifting her hands to brush her dark air behind her ears.

“You know Ace,” Darren replied with a sigh, running his hand over his mouth. He gave a shrug as Jasmine slowly nodded her head. “Doesn’t have much ta say, but a lot is said in her silence. Keepin’ herself busy.” He lifted his eyes to look up at the clock on the wall above her head. “Should be here for her shift soon, anyway.”

“And you’d know that because?”Jasmine asked, her lips stretching into a sly smile as she peered across the table at her brother.

“You know, it was a lot better without you around,” Darren replied with a small laugh before giving their server a nod of thanks as he set down a steaming mug of apple cider in front of him before handing Jasmine her milkshake. “Could we have the Big Ole Miss?” The server gave a nod of his head before going to make their order. “Quieter…the townsfolk didn’t have a lot ta gossip ‘bout.”

Jasmine stuck her tongue out at her brother before she moved her straw to her lips, slowly sucking back on it. Darren watched as the whipped cream lowered in her cup before she let out an “Ahhh” of satisfaction as she sat back in her chair. She then reached for the container of napkin and wiped at her upper lip. “You missed me and you know it, Dare.” She then waved her hand in the air. “I’m just teasing you.”

“Jazz, Ace told me that she used ta be sweet on me,” Darren said and Jasmine gave him an amused look.

“That much was obvious,” she said as she tapped her fingernails on the side of his glass. “But it’s not ‘used to’ she’s still smitten with you.” Darren’s eyebrows twitched. “Don’t think she won’ be, actually. In fact, sometimes, I think she’s kept ya ‘round ‘cause Lance hasn’t been ‘round much lately.” She put a hand up into the air. “Don’t get me wrong, y’all are great friends. I could see y’all being friends forever; you, Anna, and Lance. So how are rehearsals going?”

Darren lifted a hand to rub at his temples before he reached for his mug of cider. He took a sip, wincing as the hot beverage burned his tongue. He quickly swallowed, his eyes watering and he coughed lightly. “Not bad,” he managed to choke out before taking her milkshake. Ignoring her shriek of protest he put his mouth to the rim and drank the soothing cold beverage. “Pretty good. It’s going ta be a good show.”

Jasmine slapped at his hand when he handed his sister her milkshake back before giving him a bright smile. “Any room for one more act?” she asked.

“Why?” Darren slowly asked, his eyebrows slowly coming together until they formed a line.

“I’ve been working on a song while at school,” Jasmine replied. “Maybe seeing if I could do it with Ace. It’s a total girly song, but I’m sure everyone would love it and since you’re the assistant director…”

“How girly are we talking, little sister?” Darren asked.

“Don’t worry, it keeps with the Christmas theme,” Jasmine replied with a roll of her eyes.

“I’ll see what I can do,” Darren replied, his lips twisting up at the corner. Jasmine let out a small squeal, clapping her hands together.

“You’re the best big brother ever!” she cried, punching the air with her fists.

“You say that now,” Darren pointed out to her. “Calm down, Jazz, you’re not in, yet. Sides, it’s very last minute.”

“Details,” Jasmine replied, waving her hand in the air. “My turn to pay or yours?’

“Mine,” Darren replied.

“Maybe should’ve gone for the onion rings, too,” Jasmine said with a teasing.

“Sure, if you want to drive people away,” Darren replied with a shrug. He then paused for a moment, a thoughtful look crossing his face. “On second thought, let’s make that a double order.” Jasmine kicked at his leg under the table, missing him, slamming her foot into the wood support. Her face scrunched up and she let out a noise of pain as Darren started to laugh.

“So, how’d you react?” she asked, reaching for her milkshake again. Darren gave her a confused look. “When Annaleigh told you she was sweet on you?”

“Surprised,” Darren replied after a moment of silence. He gave a shrug, scrunching up his nose slightly. “I didn’t know she was. Always thought she liked Lance to be honest with ya.”

“No way,” Jazzy said, shaking her head. She then let out a pitying sigh. “Men. You’re all so stupid.”

“Hey!” Darren said with a frown.

“Come on, Dare, all we ever did was talk about you,” Jasmine said, wiping her damp fingers on her napkin. As she swallowed the ice cream in her mouth, her lips made a small popping sound. “Embarrassing stories, most of the time, but they were always about you.”

“Gee, thanks,” Darren said, his words dripping with sarcasm. “You could’ve told me she liked me.”

Jasmine’s eyes popped open and her jaw dropped in shock before she gave a grin. “You’re sweet on her, aren’t you?” she asked, pointing a light pink nail polish covered finger in her brother’s face. Darren pushed her hand away.

“No,” je replied with a shake of his head. “I’m worried about her.”

“Mmmhmmmm,” Jasmine replied, crossing her arms over her chest. “Look, even if I was, I don’t think I’m the best person to help her out right now.” He let out a breath of air. “I mean, apart from—never mind.”

“Never mind, wha-?” Jasmine asked, a curious look on her face.

“Ssssh!” Darren interrupted her.

“D, you tell me and you tell me right now,” Jasmine said, jabbing her finger onto the table. She stomped the ground with her foot before pouting, crossing her arms over her chest. “Imma tell momma if you don’t.”

“See if I even care,” Darren replied, in the same tone of voice.

Jasmine huffed, unfolding her arms. “Come on, D, what is this big secret?” she asked, sticking her bottom lip out in a pout.

“Just pray for me, little sister,” Darren replied, his chest swelling as he sucked in a breath of air. “You can’t tell Ace.” Jasmine lifted a finger and drew and X over her heart. “Lance told me that the bass player for his traveling band is leaving at the end of the tour and they’re looking for a new one. Ace has gotten pretty good with it. We—Lance and I—were going to video tape her and send it off to his manager Johnny.”

“I see,” Jasmine replied with a nod of her head. Her eyebrows inched up her forehead and she folded her arms down onto the table. “I think you’re going to be praying a lot if you don’t want Ace pummeling you.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Darren replied with a heavy sigh. He looked up when he heard the bell over the door ring and sat up straighter in his seat when he spotted Annaleigh stepping in through front door of the diner. “Think about it, though, Jazzy, she could use the money and the experience. Plus, she’s always wanted to get out of Clinton.”

“I’m just saying,” Jasmine replied in a whisper. “You know what her dad is like. Besides, with his injury, I don’t think it’s a good idea for her to leave him alone.” Darren opened his closed his mouth when she turned in her seat. She got to her feet and all but leaped onto Annaleigh. Darren watched as Annaleigh stumbled back in surprise before she joined in the shrieking that had already burst out of Jasmine’s mouth.

“Some best friend, why didn’t you tell me you were back in town?” Annaleigh asked, brushing her damp hair out of her face before giving Jasmine a proper hug. “I’ve been waiting for your call.”

“I just got back a few hours ago,” Jasmine replied, “besides, a little birdie tipped me off on when you would be coming into work today.”

“I see,” Annaleigh replied as she looked over at Darren before removing her coat. “Is this an intervention or something?”

“No way,” Jasmine replied, shaking her head, her tresses flying. “Just the easiest way to see my two best friends once I got back in town.” She then pouted. “Unless you didn’t want to see me.”

“I hate it when you do that,” Annaleigh said with a roll of her eyes. “Of course I’m happy to see you, Jazz.” She then gave a smile and gave her friend a hug. “Now I have to get to work before I get in trouble. Have you already ordered?”

“Yup, The Big Ole Miss,” Jasmine replied with a smile. “And two orders of onion rings.”

Annaleigh looked Jasmine up and down, shaking her head. “I don’t know how you can eat so much, and still stay so skinny,” she commented, shaking her head back and forth. She then grinned before putting her fingers to Jasmine’s forehead, pushing her back. “Although, I guess that’s what they’re looking for at that fancy-schmancy performing arts school you ditched me for.”

“Oh, stop being so dramatic and go make me my food,” Jasmine said, waving her hand in the air.

Annaleigh’s eyes widened as she gave a laugh of disbelief. Jasmine pushed her towards the counter and Annaleigh put her hands up defensively before heading around the counter. “Sorry I’m late, Mitch,” she called as she headed into the back to hang up her coat before reaching for her apron, pulling it over her head. She tied it around her waist before adjusting her name tag, heading back out to the floor. “Snow’s snarling traffic. It has to be against the law to work Christmas Eve.”

“Thought you needed the money,” Alan replied as he pulled the basket of onion rings out from the bubbling oil.

Alan McIntyre had been one of her old friends, whom she hated to say she had lost as she got to be closer with Lance and Darren. While she had started to cut back on her soccer playing to get into singing like the two of them, Alan had stuck with his passion for playing baseball. Singing and baseball were the two things that had single handedly put Clinton on the map.

“Don’t remind me,” Annaleigh replied, reaching for the second basket.

“Plus, with how often Darren has been hangin’ ‘round lately, figured you’d want to work those extra hours,” he commented with a grin. Annaleigh stuck her tongue out at him before jiggling the basket, making sure all the oil had dripped off. She then reached for the stack of plates underneath the counter and set them down on the table top. “He has been comin’ round here more often.”

“There’s nothin’ going on between us, Al,” Annaleigh replied as she started to carefully place onion rings onto the two place. “I told him I liked him. We’re just friends, that’s all. I mean, he’s been great, helpin’ me out and everythin’.”

“But?” Alan asked, turning on the grill before heading to the freezer to get a pack of hamburgers.

“Makes me feel like a charity case,” she replied.

“Naw, you know that ain’t true,” Alan replied with a shake of his head before moving to start a batch of French fries. “Lance and D have both been lookin’ out fer ya since y’all met.” Annaleigh made a noise in the back of her throat. “It’s not a bad thing. Used ta be known as chivalrous.”

“Not chivalrous when ya got no room ta do things fer yourself,” Annaleigh mumbled before grasping the two plates of onion rings before turning back towards the counter. She leaned across it and set the two plates of onion rings onto the table that Jasmine and Darren were sitting at. “Jazz, you coming caroling wit’ us tonight?”

Jasmine’s nose wrinkled. “And force myself to stay out in the cold?” she asked. Her eyes flickered towards her brother and she gave a smile. “On one condition; I’ll go caroling if you do a duet with me for the Christmas Showcase, and you play the bass for the song.”

“I…” Annaleigh blinked in surprise before looking over at Darren who reached for the plate of onion rings. He blew hard on the ring before he popped it into his mouth, chewing loudly. “Kinda last minute dontcha think?”

“The song is great, I swear,” Jasmine replied, “besides, I have an in with my big brother.” She threw Darren a grateful smile and he managed to smile around the onion ring in his mouth. “It’ll be lots of fun, I promise.” Annaleigh’s eyes narrowed slightly and she raised a warning finger. “No pink. Swear!”

“Don’t swear,” Darren automatically said and Jasmine gave a shrug before reaching for an onion ring. She picked it up between two fingers and took a bite out of it.

“So, what do you say?” Jasmine asked, chewing happily. “Will you perform with me?”

“What’s one more show?” Annaleigh asked after she let out a heavy sigh. “Need more practice anyway.” She gave a shrug. “Besides, it’s the first time in a while dad’s actually getting out of the house, I want him to have a good time.” She then turned and headed back to the fryer. “I don’t know how she’s always done that.”

“Shoot, like you’d turn down any chance to spend more time with ‘im,” Alan said with a grin, bumping Annaleigh’s side with his elbow. She pressed her lips together before elbowing him back. “Just sayin’, I always thought it’d be him or Lance who’d be courtin’ ya.”

“Why does everybody think that?” Annaleigh asked, letting out a huff of air and Alan chuckled. “Me’n Lance? We’re best friends, tha’s all.”

“And Darren?” Alan asked as she moved past him to the refrigerator to get out a carton of eggs. He chuckled when he didn’t get an answer. “Come on, I know you have at least one reason why he’s so special.”

“You better hush up,” she said smacking the back of his head with her hand. She turned on the stove top and grabbed a skillet, dropping it on top of the stove before reaching for the container of butter. “…He’s just so cute!”

“There ya go,” Alan said with a grin.

“I’ll knock you so hard, you’ll see tomorrow today if ya don’t hush up,” Annaleigh said, shoving his shoulder. She glanced over her shoulder at Darren and Jasmine as they talked quietly at their table, splitting their order of onion rings before going back to what she was doing.

“You ok?” Alan asked, looking over at her before flipping over a hamburger.

Annaleigh grabbed an egg from the carton. She tapped it on the side of the skillet and allowed the egg yolk to slide out of the shell and onto the hot skillet where it instantly started to cook. “Jus’ fine,” she replied.

“Lance?”

“In here,” Lance replied, draping a string of Christmas lights around the tree. He turned his  head when he heard the front door close and gave Darren a nod in greeting. “What’s up?” He stepped down from the ladder he was standing on before moving to slap his friend’s palm in greeting. “How’d it go?”

“Smooth sailing,” Darren replied, brushing snow off of his shoulders before shaking some of them out of his hair. “It was as easy as sliding off a greasy log backwards.”

“That’s good,” Lance said with a nod of his head. “I’ve set up the camera in the chapel, we can go double check everything when we go for service tonight.” He then clapped his hand on Darren’s shoulder. “Are you sure this is going to work?”

“Isn’t that my line?” Darren asked with a small laugh. “This was your idea, wasn’t it?”

“Yes,” Lance agreed with a nod. “But, let’s be honest here, if she were to pummel us, I wouldn’t hesitate to jump behind you.” He gave a teasing smile as he crossed his arms over his chest. “I bruise like a peach, you know that. Besides, with how much she likes you, I bet she’d take it easy on ya.”

“Gee, thanks,” Darren replied with a roll of his eyes. “Seriously, though. Do you really think this is going to work?”

“We both know how much she wants to get out of Clinton,” Lance said, briefly closing his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. “We both also know how important music is to her. If it wasn’t for her dad she’d probably be out doing what she’s always wanted to be doing.”

“I wouldn’t write Mr. Carr off right quick, boys.”

Lance scrunched up his face before turning to face his dad, who he had forgot was decorating the other side of the Christmas tree. James stepped out from the back of the tree, carefully laying his string of Christmas lights. He kept his eyes on the tree for a moment before turning towards the two boys.

“Man has his reasons for not wanting his daughter to get into the business,” James continued, crossing his arms over his chest. “In fact, James, I seem to remember we had concerns for you before you went off to Florida.” Lance silently exchanged glances with Darren. “There’re just some things you boys shouldn’t be messin’ with, an’ this is one of those times.”

“With all due respect, sir,” Darren spoke up, scratching the back of his neck, “we’ve always heard rumors ‘bout what happened, but we don’ know for sure.”

“Cause it ain’t none of yer business,” James replied, moving from the tree to sit down on the couch. “Boys, come and sit.”He reached out a hand and tapped the oak table that sat in front of him. Lance looked over at Darren a second time before doing as his dad had asked, moving to sit down on the table in front of him. “Now, what’s this plan the two of ya are cookin’ up?”

“Uhhhh,” Darren stalled.

“Naw, now don’t start clammin’ up on me now,” James said with a shake of his head. He gave a small laugh, rubbing at his jaw with his fingers. “Now, the two’a you used to get into loads of trouble and I would just let it go.”

“You’d let it go to mom,” Lance said and James merely shrugged. “Besides, that was never my fault. It was always D and Ace.” Darren elbowed him in the side.

“Way I see it, you were always there to try and stop the two of ‘em from bickerin’ and to keep the peace, so you’re just as big an accomplice,” James said with a little laugh. Lance closed his mouth, bobbing his head back and forth. “So, what’s this plan?”

“The bass player of our touring band is leaving after the tour ends and Johnny asked us to look for someone to audition to replace them,” Lance replied.

“And you want to record Annaleigh playing to give to Johnny to give her a chance,” James finished for his son, nodding his head. “What if I told you boys that Ryan has a pretty damn good reason as to not want her daughter to take part in the music. Now, I’m tellin’ you two with the most confidence that you won’t tell her and that you won’t tell your mom-“ he looked over at Lance, before turning his gaze to Darren, “or your parents, that I told you.”

“What is it, dad?” Lance asked. Darren pulled a knee to his chest, wrapping his arms around his leg, resting his chin on his knee.

“When Ryan and Caroline were pregnant with Annaleigh, he was really into music at the time,” James replied, letting out a long sigh through his nose. “He had a band at the time, and thought music was more important than her pregnancy. That’s not to say he wouldn’t be there for her when Caroline gave birth and he was. Problem was, he was trying to hold off on being a parent for as long as he could so he really got into the music lifestyle. Sex, drugs, and rock and roll as they say. He had’n affair with another woman and got her pregnant while on the road. Caroline was about a month pregnant at this time.”

Lance felt the breath he didn’t realize he was holding rush out of him. His chest deflated and his eyes darted around the room, his mind swirling. He looked over at Darren out of the corner of his eyes, and saw that his face was set into a deep frown.

“She has a half-brother,” James continued and Lance felt his jaw drop. “And she was, actually supposed to have a baby brother or sister from Caroline and Ryan, but Caroline had a miscarriage. They stopped tryin’ after that. Anyway, after Caroline found out about Ryan’s affair, they had nearly been broken apart without any way to reconcile, but it was obvious the two of ‘em have a deep connection, and a deep love for each other. The two of them wanted to make it work.”

“But, lately, she’s been calling…the mother to Annaleigh’s half-brother. Demanding all the child support he had never paid for. He had just wanted to forget about his past mistakes, they both did. While he reassured her that he was doing his duty by her, he just wanted to forget about her. They both did. They never told Annaleigh about her, and the more her interest in music grew, the more tense the two of them had become around each other. It’s why they were always fighting. They couldn’t ever address their problems, they just wanted it all to go away.”

“This summer, Caroline left them out of the blue after a visit from the woman Ryan had had an affair with. Annaleigh was with you, Darren, helping you pack to head out to Ole Miss.” Lance looked over at his friend and watched as Darren made a face, but didn’t say anything. “Two of ‘em just couldn’t handle all the arguments and keeping their secret from Annaleigh. Caroline felt that she had the right to leave since she was the one who had been, uh, according to her, screwed over. She had come over here before she left to explain everything and to hope that we’d look out for her and make sure that she was ok.”

“She never got an explanation for it; she was there when she left home and gone when she got back. It was hard on her, and Ryan didn’t have much of an explanation for her. His way of dealing with it was working more, and the more Anna was alone, since, at this point Jasmine went off to MSA, she did everything she could to not be so lonely. She focused on school, soccer, singing, work, anything she could do to be around people so she wouldn’t have that time being lonely. Although, that ain’t the first time she felt that way. That’s why she had grown attached to you, Darren, a little bit after Lance had gone to work with *NSYNC.”

“Then Ryan had gone and hurt himself at work. He says it was an accident, but a part of me wonders if he gone and done it on purpose. To see if Caroline would come back after knowing how much Annaleigh was going through just to be sure that the bills were paid, to see if she would come back. If not for him, but for her. Now, I hadn’t asked him that, but I can assume all the same. Jus’ like I’m assumin’ that the reason he had turned around and started to live by the word of God those few years ago, to teach his meaning to students, was to try and give himself a new slate. Thing is, this wasn’t about either of ‘em, it was always about their daughter. Unfortunately, neither of ‘em can see that.”

“Annaleigh thinks she’s the reason why her parents split up and in a way, she’s right. She’s always wanted to get out of Clinton, to get away from her parents arguing, and to get away from the guilt that she was the reason why they was always fightin’ and now it’s that guilt that’s keepin’ her here. She couldn’t leave her dad alone knowin’ that he couldn’t do much for himself. An’ he doesn’t want her to leave to go out and find out about his past without him telling her first.”

James looked back and forth between the two boys before letting out a heavy sigh. “Now remember, y’all both promised not to tell anyone ‘bout this,” James said, looking back and forth between the two of them. He then focused his attention on Lance. “Your mom will downright do me in if she finds out I let you know ‘bout this.” Lance nodded his head, licking his lips.

“D’you think it’s a good idea, dad?” Lance asked.

“Between us men, yes, I do think what you’re doing is a good idea,” James replied and Lance felt himself smile. “I believe you’re both goin’ ‘bout it the wrong way, but I think what you’re doin’ is  good idea. ‘Course, you’re facin’ the repercussion from not only Annaleigh, but from Ryan, and Diane if she finds out. The thing is, I’m proud of the two’a you, always lookin’ out for her. Lance, I also know that this is a way fer you and Annaleigh to build up your friendship again, but the thing is, y’all need to give her room to find out what it is that she wants to do for herself.”

Lance opened his mouth, but stopped when he heard noise above his head. He heard the thud of footsteps heading out of the room and then down the stairs before Annaleigh appeared around the corner. Lance felt a smile come to his face as he got to his feet to greet her.

“Did you come in through the window?” he asked, stepping towards her, opening his arms for a hug. Annaleigh gave him an odd look, quirking an eyebrow.

“Tree’s still out there ain’t it?” she asked, before stepping into his arms, giving him a quick hug. She then stepped back away from him and clapped her hands together. She looked over at Darren, then at his dad, and then back at Lance. “So…we going caroling or what?” She gave a half smile. “It’s tradition, right?”

“Right,” Lance agreed with a nod, smiling in return.