| Chapter One |
| "...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...." "...Like Strawberry Wine, 17, hot July moon-" She sang, soon to be cut-off by an odd slang, "Scuse me?" She turned around, he was so different lookin'. "Hi, what can I do ya for?" She grinned, revealing her heavy country twang, "I apologize for interrupting, but I'm a bit lost," "A bit? Ya look totally lost?" She giggled. "Actually, I know where I am, I just don't know where I'm goin'," "Oh that makes sense, what ya lookin' for?" "My Daddy's house, ya see, he moved here when I was two, and I haven't got the chance to come by, and up at the little store up the road, the lady said you could help me," "Yeah, I've lived here 17 years," "His name is Randy Timberlake," "Oh yeah, him and my Daddy have worked together for years," "Great, so you can tell me how to get there?" "Actually, I was on my way over there now, ya welcome to follow me," "Ya know what, I got a better idea, can I park here?" "Yeah, sure, just park away from the chicken coop," "I will," He was absolutely adorable, blonde curly hair, piercing baby blues, and a sick color of tan. She watched him get outta what he called, a truck, and walked to her, her mother came out rubbing her stomach, "Shaye, who is this..oh my goodness, Justin?" "Yes ma'am," "I'd know you anywhere Boy! Your ya Momma all over!" "Last time I remember seeing you, you were in the same shape, haven't you found out what's causing that?" Justin laughed, rubbing her oversized stomach. "Give me a hug Boy," "How are you Isabella?" "I'm just gettin' ready for a baby, that's all, have you met my daughter?" "We weren't properly aquatinted, I'm Justin," "Shaye Smith," She said extending her hand. "It's a pleasure," He smiled, he was breathtaking. "Momma, I gotta show him over to Randy's, I'll be home in a few hours," "Be careful," "I will Momma, stay off ya feet, I'll cook dinner when I get home," "All right Sweetheart," "So, Shaye," She nodded. "Anyway, what do ya think of good OLE' Tennessee?" "I love it here! Course, I've never been anywhere else to compare it to," "You'd love Orlando," "Who?" "Orlando, Florida," "Oh, yeah, Randy talks a lot about Florida," "Really?" "Yep, anyway, I don't think I'd make it in the city," "That's the way it was for me, I don't think I could make it out here, in Millington, Tennessee. I mean, I lived here up until I was two, and everything..." Shaye watched, and hung on every word he said. "...So, Shaye," "Justin," "Do you have a boyfriend?" "WHAT?! No! No, I don't have a boyfriend," "You don't? Than why are you wearing a ring?" Shaye looked down at her hand, "Oh yeah, my ring, it's stupid really," "Tell me?" "Well, my grandmother got it out of a crackerjack box, and gave it to me before she died, so, it's really just a keepsake," "Oh, okay," "Justin!" "Daddy!" He ran to his Dad, it was really kinda sweet. Shaye stood there and smiled, "I see you've met Justin?" Shaye's Daddy smiled. "Yes Sir," "He's a good-lookin' boy," Shaye's Daddy, Johnny said, matter-factly. "Mm-hum," Shaye never quit starring. The way he walked, though unusual, the way he dressed, everything about him was so new, and different. "How ya doin' Boy?" Johnny asked shaking Justin's hand. "Fine, what about you?" "Great," "Ya hungry?" Randy asked Justin. "I'm starved," "I'll fix ya somethin'," "You can cook Shaye?" "Can't you?" "Well, sure, but, your just so, I dunno, young?" "I'm not THAT young, plus, I learned to cook long ago," "Trust me Boy, ya haven't tasted fried chicken, 'til ya tasted Shaye's," Randy smiled. "I guess I better try it huh?" "Ya know where everythin' is, right Shaye?" "Yes, Sir," Shaye and Justin walked inside of Randy's house. "So Shaye, how old are you?" Justin asked, plopping in a chair at the old table Randy had built a long time ago. "Seventeen," "No kiddin'?" "Why would I kid about that?" "No, no, don't get all upset, I'm just so surprised," "I'm sorry," "No, no, don't apologize, I'm 18, I just had a birthday, in January," "Mine was last week," "When?" "May 6th," "Wow," "Yeah," Shaye smiled. After he ate, Justin went outside to offer help to Randy and Johnny. Shaye sighed, he made her feel, different, and that was that. "Momma," Shaye asked her Momma, that night after dinner. "What Darlin'?" "I need to know somethin'," "Anythin'," "Well, I got this feelin'," "What kinda feelin'?" "A weird feelin', in my belly," "Maybe you should go and rest?" "No, no, not a sickly feelin', a tingly feelin'," "How long have you felt this way?" "Sense Justin got here earlier this afternoon," "Ah, I see," "What is it Momma? It's a strange feelin', that I like," "Your in love," "What? With who?" "Justin," Her Momma smiled. "But, I just met 'em," "Honey, have you heard of love at first site?" "Yes?" "That's what your feelin'," "What do I gotta do?" "Randy said he'll be here all Summer, get to know him, see if he feels the same," "What if he don't?" "Than you'll move on," "Is it that easy?" "Sometimes, yes," "Sometimes?" "All I can say, is let him come to you," |