Another Cold State Line

Five years could do a lot to a person. I was in my thirties now, living my life without my best friend. Do you know how hard it was to go through life without your best friend? Jimmy hadn't just been my drummer, he had been my best friend.

We had had a hard time getting over him. Brian often still dealt with bouts of depression, as we all did. We were trying to get over him, to keep playing our music, but he had been such a light and joy in our lives, that it was hard.

Nightmare had helped, and with our latest album, Hail to the King, coming out, we were on a path to doing better. But it would be our first real tour without our best friend, and it was absolutely terrifying. I was going to miss that little shit.

"Matthew, are you feeling okay?" My mother asked. It was a question she asked me every day since Jimmy had died and every day since I had chosen to stay with my parents. My house just felt so alone and empty without him and the guys in it.

"Yes, Mom. Today I'm gonna head up to the cabin to write."

She quirked an eyebrow at me. "Before a tour?"

I nodded. "I just have a lot on my mind."
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The cabin was a great place to let my mind roam. It was located up in Northern California, but I loved it dearly. Though I had told Mom I was there to write, I was really here just to clear my head. We were about to go on an eight month tour, and I wasn't sure I was ready for it. We had pushed through on Nightmare because we knew the fans needed it, but this just felt like a betrayal.

I wanted to reconnect with the reason I fell in love with performing and with music in the first place. This was my time to remember who I was and why we needed to keep touring. Jimmy may be gone, but he wanted us to keep performing and keep playing. He would hate for us to quit what we loved just because he was dead.

The cabin was old and worn, but it was home. It was just a couple of bedrooms and a kitchen and a bathroom, but it would work for now. I took one look at the kitchen and immediately left to go get some food. I was far too hungry to just get right to reconnecting with myself.

The cabin was near a small town filled with farmers and ranchers. I liked it here, even if I stuck out like a sore thumb. I got so lost in my thoughts that before I knew it I was standing at the register with a full cart. Who knew what I had even bought?

As I started to unload my shopping cart, someone bumped into me. I turned only to spot someone I hadn't seen in five years. The sight of her put my stomach somewhere near my knees and my eyes became the size of saucers.

"Oh, Lord! I am so sorry," she said, her eyes meeting mine. "Matt?"

"Haylee?"

Notes

Short, but cliffhanger?