Page 17 of Bless This Hot Mess

“I love this spot,” she said, leaning back in her seat. “From up here, we can see all Greater Napanee. Look at all those little houses with 15,400 people. It’s our own little slice of heaven.”

Japheth, leaning forward slightly to peer through the windshield, snorted. “Or hell.”

Rebekkah turned to him, raising an eyebrow. “What?”

“Seriously,” Japheth said, gesturing to the town below, “it depends on who you ask.”

Undeterred, Rebekkah smiled softly, her gaze sweeping across the landscape. “Greater Napanee was the home of Sir John A. McDonald, Canada’s first Prime Minister. The silent film star Harry Ham was also born right here in Napanee. Not to be confused with Harry Hamlin. And Lesley Thompson, women’s rowing Olympic gold medalist! It’s also the hometown of Avril Lavigne. But her debut album and record smashing singleSk8tr Boiwon’t come out until 2002, so at this point she’s irrelevant.”

Japheth turned to her, brow furrowed. “I was following you until you started speaking in tongues again. Right at the end there. Something about the future?”

Rebekkah shot him a playful glare. “What I’m saying is that it’s possible for big dreams to start right here in Greater Napanee. Why are you looking at me with your nose scrunched like that? What are you thinking?”

Japheth narrowed his eyes. “Are you a witch?”

Rebekkah blinked, taken aback. “What?That’s what you’re thinking?”

Japheth crossed his arms, leaning back in his seat as if preparing for a deep revelation. “You just prophesied something about Avril Lavigne and a debut album three years from now. Isn’t that the girl who always comes through the Saddles ‘n’ Spurs drive-through on her skateboard?”

Rebekkah nodded. “Yes.”

Japheth’s mouth dropped open slightly in disbelief. “Shegets a record deal?”

“It’s just what the voices told me,” Rebekkah teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Japheth pointed at her accusingly. “Okay, and whenyoucame to the Saddles ‘n’ Spurs drive-through last week when I was working…”

Rebekkah rolled her eyes. “And youyelledat me for holding up the line!”

“Youwereholding up the line!” Japheth shot back. “And you said, ‘Just because wedidn’twin doesn’t mean we didn’twinthat talent contest.’ And then we won. So… are… you… a witch?”

Rebekkah laughed, shaking her head. “Was Simon Peter a rock? Was Simon Iscariot a chariot?”

“I’m not sure. I always get the Simons mixed up.” Japheth leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I’d given up, Rebekkah. I had wrapped up my musical dreams in a box. With packing tape. Duct tape. All kinds of…”

“Uh-huh. I get it,” Rebekkah interrupted, smirking.

Japheth held up a hand dramatically. “And put that box of dreams high on a shelf. I was done. I thought it would just gather dust, and I would serve jalapeño-infused chicken wings for the rest of my sad little life.”

“And now?” Rebekkah asked, her voice softer, and her eyes searching his.

“And now…” Japheth took a deep breath, looking out over the town. “Now I’m wondering if I should get out my step ladder. And my scissors. Climb those rickety ladder rungs. Reach way up. And unpack that box.”

Rebekkah grinned, shaking her head. “You are a meandering storyteller, but I’m with ya.”

Japheth bit his lip, glancing down at his hands. “I’m a little scared.”

Rebekkah nodded, her voice gentle. “Me too. Japheth, you are my best friend, my partner in prayer, the Milli to my Vanilli. I’m worried too. What if we meet this Ronald person and we don’t like him?”

“What if he can’t sing?” Japheth added, his brow furrowed in genuine concern.

“I’m pretty sure he can’t sing,” Rebekkah deadpanned. “He dribbled a basketball for the talent show.”

“Exactly!” Japheth threw his hands up. “How isthatgoing to… how canthatbe part of what we do?”

“I don’t know,” Rebekkah admitted, her voice trailing off. “But you and I have been spinning in our heels for years. Trying desperately to be seen, to be noticed. Our music and acting careers have really stalled…”

“But you were so good in our scene study last week!” Japheth exclaimed, his face lighting up as he turned to her on the bench seat of her Oldsmobile.