From All Ends

Tour has been going great, I talk to Matt regularly as promised and I feel as if we are getting somewhere. We met up in Memphis, he had a concert the night I got in and the following day I had a concert. It worked out as following our concerts we both had a couple days break except for my last free day I had an interview. I was in my hotel room getting ready to head out when there was a knock on my door; opening it up I came face to face with Matt. “Hey beautiful, how are you?” “Mattie! I didn’t think I’d ever say this but I missed you.” I said as I gave him a hug and pulled him in my room. “What are you doing?” “I thought you had a show tonight and I wanted to come along; the other guys too.” “Well I have sound check here in like an hour-hour and a half. I’ll get dinner with the crew after and then hang around the venue.” “I’ll come too, the guys can meet us there later.” “Why do the guys want to come? I thought they didn’t like country.” “Well none of us really like it, we all have a tolerance for it and seeing as you are becoming a constant in my life we all want to at least see you.” We sat down on the couch in silence before Matt spoke up, “When are you going to tell me what’s going on with Brian.” “Matt, it’s complicated.” I said with a heavy sigh. “I won’t say anything; I just want to understand.” “Promise not to freak out?” “Yes, just tell me what’s going on, I feel on edge not knowing when I want to take things further with you.” “Fine. I was going to tell you soon anyways, probably easier face to face. From the beginning; I was born July 7th, 1981 in California,” I saw the gears turning in his head trying to make sense of this little fact. “As you know I have told you I was adopted. I have told you that I have six brothers to that fact, but one biologic brother. Part of that is a lie, I just found out that I have two biologic brothers and some half siblings. I was given up at birth, I was a twin in my biological life, my mother didn’t want two kids, let alone a girl, and my father didn’t fight. Leann and Christopher, my parents wanted a girl, they were supposed to be on a hold since they were pregnant with Luka but the agency hadn’t pulled their profile from the website. My birth father saw it and demanded I be placed with the Birchers. Luka was born a day before me and we were raised as twins.” Matt looked up at me from his hands, it was looking like things were clicking in his head but he was still confused. “I was supposed to meet my family when I was sixteen or eighteen; whenever my parents deemed it was a good time. They tried with correspondence which was always returned so we gave up. Larry as you know is my uncle, he doesn’t manage me because of this, but if it wasn’t for him we probably wouldn’t have learned why correspondence was returned.” I looked at my phone and saw that I have to start getting ready to leave so I stood up and headed into the bedroom. “Where are you going? I thought we were talking?” “We are Matt, but I have to get ready to go too.” “Can you continue as you ready?” “I can try, just move with me when we go and I will try not to lapse.” Matt nodded his head in understanding so I continued as I got my stuff together and fixed my hair, not bothering with makeup until later. “The truth in this story Matt, is Brian is my brother. I know he is, I have seen the pictures from when we were born and the pictures his father sent to my parents before communication stopped. Larry knows this, he has actually talked to Senior and Senior knows that Larry knows who his daughter is.” “Wait, what? You’re saying that you are my best friend’s sister? A sister I don’t even think he knows about?” “Yes Matt, I am. That is what I am saying. If you don’t believe me I can get you pictures for proof depending on where your next concert is, or you can call Senior and ask. Honestly, I would love for you to call Senior; I would love to hear what he says.” “Ummm, I think I need to process this. I don’t know what to think right now.” “Okay, then I guess I might see you at the show? Text me if you guys won’t make it. I’ll talk to you later.” I slipped on my shoes and headed to the door. Just as I opened it Matt jumped up and raced to the door. “What are you talking about? Where are you going?” “I told you Matt, I have sound check, you said you needed to think, I assumed you were going to stay behind.” “No.....no, I’m coming with you. Yes, it’s a lot to take in, I can think about it while you do check.” I nodded my head and walked out the door with him behind me. On the ride over it was pretty much silent. He asked if my family was coming to the show since I was in my home state and I had told him no. He was surprised but I told him that in a couple of weeks I had my last show in Knoxville and it’s closer to my home town of Gatlinburg in which I would return home with them for a bit. “So I get done with my tour June 6th, your last concert in Knoxville is June 23rd. You’re not coming home right after?” “No, I go home every year. Either before tour or after. This year tour ends before my birthday so I will spend it with them, and go to the 4th of July celebration as well.” “Oh.” Matt responded sounding depressed. I didn’t respond as we pulled up to the venue and stepped out. I led Matt in and saw my crew finishing up the final touches and tuning instruments. I told Matt to sit down on the chairs that were on the side and joined my crew on stage. Before getting started I got drilled on who Matt was and what he was doing there. I answered all their questions and we got down to business. After sound check the crew was going to order a bunch of random food while I took Matt to The Olive Garden. “So, have you processed everything yet?” I asked Matt after we placed our orders. “I think so; can I rephrase everything to make sure I got it?” “Go ahead.” I stated one the waiter placed our drinks on the table. “You were born to my band mate and friends parents, they gave you up, and you grew up in Tennessee. You know your story and who your family is but is unsure if my friend knows the same and that is why you tend to freak when you see him?” “Sounds like you got it. What do you want to do?” “I would love to see pictures, not saying I don’t believe you but,” “You still want tangible proof?” “Ya, I guess that’s it. I also want to call Papa Gates and see what he says. Maybe tomorrow?” “That’s fine.” We finished up eating and headed back to the venue, as we walked in the rest of Avenged Sevenfold was pulling into the parking lot. We all talked for a while before I left them to get ready. I had just finished changing and was starting on my hair when Matt walked in. “Hey, can we talk?” “About what Matthew?” “Where we stand?” “That’s a question I have heard you utter in a minute.” “Please agree to be my girlfriend, I think we have made great progress and you know you can trust me and” I cut him off as I walked over to him stood on my tiptoes, wrapped my arms around his neck, and kissed him. He was caught off guard but quickly came too and started kissing me back, I heard my first opening act end their last song so I pulled away knowing I only had about 40 minutes now to finish getting ready. I looked Matt in the eyes and he seemed surprised and speechless so I turned and walked back to the mirror and started fixing my hair again. Once I was done I looked in the mirror back and Matt who was just staring at me, I gave him a smirk and started on my makeup. “Are you okay back there?” “Ya, just confused now.” “That was me finally putting feelings and pride aside and saying yes.” “Are you serious?” “As a heart attack.” Matt came up behind me and spun me around kissing me again and saying finally. Matt gave me another kiss and said he was going to go back out to the guys and telling me I won’t regret giving him this chance. I just laughed and finished my make up; once done I gave myself a once over and pulled on my stiletto cowboy boots that finish my outfit. By this time my second opener was halfway done, I walked passed the boys to the tech booth to let them know I was ready, make sure the set list was good, and get my in ears. After that process I walked back over to Matt and his friends, I was just going to stand until Matt reached up and pulled me on his lap. We all just made small talk until the opener was finished before heading over to the stage, I place my in ears in and the sound tech turned them on, just before I was handed my mic I slipped off my jacket revealing my corset making Matt groan in the process. Set up didn’t take long and my first song started playing, I turned around giving Matt a quick kiss and walking out to the stage; two and a half hours later I was finished. I walked off stage and talked with everyone for a while and headed back to the hotel. The next day I woke up late afternoon with a text from Matt asking if I was awake. I told him yes and headed into the shower. When I came out he was laying on my bed, I quickly dressed and sat by him. He took out his phone and asked if I was ready, he said he’d already texted Senior to let him know they needed to talk. Matt dialed the number and as the phone rang I became so nervous. “Hello?” He answered, “Hey Papa Gates how are you?” “I’m well, what do I owe this pleasure of speaking with you today?” “I wanted to talk to you about something and don’t bullshit me.” “Of course, what is it son?” “Tell me about your daughter?” “McKenna? What for?” “No Brian, your other daughter..........Braelynn. Don’t deny her, she’s here with me.” We heard stuttering on the other side before hearing, “How do you know? Brae, is she really with you?”

Notes