Southern Rocker Boy (Southern Rockers Book 1) Read Online Free

from Austin. I took a chance with an old boss of mine, someone I worked with a few years before Leah was born, and it turns out he has a position open. It’s not a lot of money, but the benefits are good.”
    I stood and walked away from the desk. What she was proposing was unthinkable. “Mama,” I said with a shake of my head.
    “Beggars can’t be choosers, Jonah. It’s either this or we apply for welfare. You know full well that your daddy would turn over in his grave.” Her voice lowered.
    I sent her a stern glance. “You think it is any better with you working at some factory?” It made Courtney’s offer a little more inviting. I’d never let my mom do hard labor to take care of us. Ever.
    She stood, rounded the desk and approached me. “There’s nothing wrong with an honest day’s work, Jonah. Your daddy knew that. Mr. Bivens said there might even be an opening for you. It’s the best chance we’ve got.”
    I shook my head. “We can’t lose this land, Mama. Daddy worked too hard.”
    I had been there, watching him break his back from the time I was ten. I was out in the fields by the time I was twelve. This was our land. It was in our blood. I’d marry every girl in the whole damned county if I had to.
    She wiped away another tear. It broke my heart to see her cry. “I know. But he would want us to do whatever we could for Leah. In the end this is just dirt and wood and cement. What’s really important is the three of us staying together, and staying healthy and well. If your daddy had realized that, maybe he would be with us right now.”
    I turned away. My words were soft, because I didn’t want to add to her burden. But it needed to be said. “If this land meant nothing, then Daddy’s death meant nothing. He was working as hard as he was so we could have it all.”
    Her hands clasped mine. “And we already do,” she said just as softly as me. “Tell me you see that, Jonah.”
    Again, we heard Leah coughing. “I’ve got it,” I said before lumbering down the darkened hallway to my sister’s sunny yellow room. It had been painted to replicate the outside world she had loved so much. Since she had been sick so much in her childhood, she wasn’t able to enjoy the outdoors as much as she wanted. So Daddy brought a little bit of sunshine indoors for her, hoping it would boost her spirits and keep her well. I rushed to her side as she hacked and sputtered. “I’m here,” I said softly and her bloodshot eyes met mine. She couldn’t say a word, but conveyed her gratitude with the squeeze of my hand.
    “Sing to me,” she croaked, and of course I complied. How could I not? Her eyes were as clear as a blue summer day, and her long brown hair tangled in two pigtails, resting on her sweaty nightgown stained with sputum. She was like a stained glass window, scratched and cracked, but beautiful and priceless. Wordlessly I reached under her bed and fetched my guitar. It was the most logical place to keep it, considering I never sang or played anywhere else.
    Leah was my audience of one.
    I picked one of her favorites. Somewhere Over the Rainbow had been a sentimental favorite for my little sister from the first time she watched The Wizard of Oz . She was three when she first became enchanted with wizards and cowardly lions and flying monkeys, and I had sung that song to her every week since.
    She leaned against her propped pillows as I sang softly. I knew she wanted to join in so badly, but she could barely breathe, much less whisper. She mouthed the words as I lent her my voice. After the last note faded, her hand touched mine.
    “Love you,” her voice strangled to say before trailing off. Instead she made a heart with her hands, resting it on her heaving chest as she gave me a brave smile. The littlest Riley, the strongest fighter of us all.
    And just like that, all the tears I had withheld all day threatened to crash down my cheeks in some unyielding tsunami of grief. I gave her a quick kiss