"Baby, Just Let It Be"
Shiloh found herself on a hike in the middle of nowhere.
"Ya know..." she said as she tried to keep up with Judah without falling on her face. "I actually think I would have preferred to be at work right now."
Judah laughed. "I swear it will be worth it."
"How is a hike in the jungle gonna make my life so much better."
"I never said I'd be makin your life better, but I would like to think I'll be addin' some cheer." He grinned cheekily.
Shiloh eyed him warily. "How's that?"
Judah had slowed his pace so he was helping her along the trail. "So you know how you used to be crazy about mom's renovating houses, mostly the Victorian ones?"
Shiloh stopped and looked at him. "Um...your point...?"
"Sorry I don't mean to open up wounds or anything, but I do have a point, I swear. I'm gettin' to it."
Shiloh sighed. "Yes. I've always loved Victorian homes."
He continued tentatively. "Okay. So you remember the home you were helping mom renovate just before they died?"
Shiloh swallowed with difficulty, blocking out the rush of memories threatening to overtake her. "Yes, Judah. I think I would remember better than you, considering you were 10."
"Well... the realtor of that house is friends with Lovelace, and he came to one of the dinner party things ya know? And well anyway... come see."
Shiloh furrowed her brown. "I don't see how any of that comes together though."
Judah took her hand and led her to the clearing which brought them to a road. "Just look."
He pointed at a beautiful Victorian home across the road with a gorgeous garden. "I bought if for you. We started renovating it..."
Shiloh's mouth dropped open as she looked where he pointed "Judah...how...?"
Judah grinned like a child on Christmas. "The realtor guy cut me a great deal. I won't bore you on how it happened."
"But these places are worth..."
He cut her off. "Yeah... I know, but see the thing is. when mom and dad, you gave up your dream job, making old run down places look like this, to ya know bein' a lawyer, which, I don't doubt you love but like, I know that this is your passion and I don't want you to give up on that. Having a little passion in your life makes for a great escape on days like today, and since ya helped me find my passion, here's me helping you relight your flame."
He shrugged awkwardly. "I dunno, all that may have sounded better in my head."
Shiloh laughed and let the tears fall as she gave him a bear hug. "Boy, it sounded great. I love this place and I love you for doing this for me." She looked back over to the house. "Can we go see the inside?"
Judah shook his head firmly. "Nope."
Shiloh's face fell. "No...?"
He lead her back the way they came. "It's not done yet. You can't see it 'til it's done, but don't worry I will let ya furnish it."
"Ok then..." she answered a little begrudgingly, she looked back at the house wistfully, and contemplated going in anyway, just for a second, then continued following Judah through the dense foliage.
"Why couldn't we have driven up here?" she said as she shuddered, watching a jumping spider devour his dinner. She grabbed on to Judah's hand nervously.
Judah smiled. "You wouldn't have been surprised, and this way you were in unfamiliar territory and too preoccupied with stayin' alive, you wouldn't get a chance to ask questions."
Shiloh nodded. "Fair enough."
They soon got down to where he had parked his truck, as they got in, Shiloh turned to Judah. "Thanks so much for this, Judah. I really did need a break from all that craziness, and a reminder to not be so afraid of the bad memories that I bury the good memories with them."
Judah smiled as he started the truck, "I'm glad. To be honest, I wasn't sure how you would take it."
It was Shiloh's turn to smile. "Yeah? Well now it's time to work out how I am going to make up for missing work today. I am going to have so much to do!"
"Listen, Shy, let's take it one day and one thing at a time. We'll make a list, and you just concentrate on getting one thing done at a time, and checking it off as you go."
"You make it sound so easy, Wise Guy."
"I'll help you. Just relax and let tomorrow worry about tomorrow. Enjoy today while it lasts."
Shiloh leaned her head back against the seat and looked out the window. Judah glanced at her, they pulled up to a red light, and he pulled out his phone and went to play Meant to Be by Bebe Rexha with Florida Georgia Line. As the song started, Judah sang along with them, causing Shiloh to look back over at him with an amused smile.
Baby, lay on back and relax, kick your pretty feet up on my dash
No need to go nowhere fast, let's enjoy right here where we at
Who knows where this road is supposed to lead
We got nothing but time
As long as you're right here next to me, everything's gonna be alright
Shiloh laughed, and Judah smiled as he continued his antics as he saw she was slowly coming out of her funk.
If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, just let it be
If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, just let it be
So, won't you ride with me, ride with me?
See where this thing goes
If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, if it's meant to be
"Come on, this is your part, Shy. Take it away!"
Shiloh laughed, but sang anyway.
I don't mean to be so uptight, but my heart's been hurt a couple times
By a couple guys that didn't treat me right
I ain't gon' lie, ain't gonna lie
'Cause I'm tired of the fake love, show me what you're made of
Boy, make me believe.
Judah chimed in happily and they sang at the top of their lungs, laughing at intervals at the ridiculousness of the moment.
But hold up, girl, don't you know you're beautiful?
And it's easy to see
If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, just let it be
If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, just let it be
So, won't you ride with me, ride with me?
See where this thing goes
If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, if it's meant to be
So, c'mon ride with me, ride with me
See where this thing goes
So, c'mon ride with me, ride with me
Baby, if it's meant to be
Maybe we do
Maybe we don't
Maybe we will
Maybe we won't
But if it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, just let it be
If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be (c'mon)
Baby, just let it be (let's go)
So, won't you ride with me, ride with me?
See where this thing goes
If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, if it's meant to be
If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, if it's meant to be
If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, if it's meant to be
As the song died out they laughed and reveled in the pureness of the moment.
"What would I do without you, Judah?"
"Overthink and worry."