Free Music of the Heart by Harper Brooks

I own a small house in Birmingham so when I go home to visit, I don’t have to stay at my parents house.  No offense to them but I just like having my own place to stay in when I visit.
     
                  Thursday rolls around and the girls are officially harassing me to come home so we can finalize our Halloween costumes.  Most of them have theirs and they are dying that I have not gotten one yet.  I promise to be home later today and they can have me all to themselves all weekend and make me shop all weekend too.
     
                  After I eat lunch with my mom and sister, I pack everything up and head back to Atlanta.  I know I will see them the next weekend as they are coming into town to celebrate my birthday.
     
                  I call the girls when I am about thirty minutes from my house to tell them I am almost home.  I know they will be waiting at my house as soon as I get home.  And wouldn’t you know it, when I pull up to the house, I see Merritt’s car and all the lights in my house on.  Either they are waiting inside for me or there is a burglar in my house.  Let’s hope it is the first one.
     
                  As I open the door, “What up bitch?  It’s about time you grace us again with your presence.”
     
                  “Ava, seriously.  That’s how you greet her?  Just pour the damn wine and bring it into the den.”
     
                  I walk into the den and see Ava, Ellis and Laken waiting on Merritt to bring in all the food.  I give hugs all around and grab a glass of wine.
                 
    If you’ve never eaten take-out with the five of us, you are in for a treat.  We can’t ever decide on one thing we all want so we get everyone’s favorites and we end up having leftovers for days.  On tonight’s menu is… Beef and Broccoli, General Tso’s Chicken, chow mein and egg rolls for me from the Chinese place, Fajitas, refried beans and chips with salsa for Ava from the Mexican place, Hawaiian Pizza and garlic cheese bread for Laken from the pizza place, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Bruschetta and a Caesar Salad for Merritt from the Italian place and then BBQ Nachos with Ribs and slaw for Ellis from the Barbecue place.  I kid you not, we always order that much food.  And regardless of the fact that I wanted the Chinese, I end up eating some of everything.
     
                  “God, I am starving.  I could just sit here and eat all night.  Please tell me you have dessert too?”
                 
    “Ashleigh, have we ever let you down and not brought dessert?  Ava made your favorite caramel cake petit fours.  We have sopaipillas and tres leches cake too.”
     
                  If my giddy little smile isn’t enough to show my happiness, I stand up and do a little jig.
     
                  “Okay, we really need to make sure everyone has their costumes set.  Mason and I are going as a Cowboy and an Indian.  Ava, Dixon mentioned y’all were going as a football player and cheerleader.”
     
                  Ava nodded her head in agreement as she shoved more barbecue in her face.
     
                  “Then, Laken and Reed are going as a sexy princess and her prince.  Ellis and Jake are going as a cop and a robber.  And now that just leaves you.  What’s it going to be Ashleigh?”
     
                  “I have no clue Merritt.  Why don’t you just tell me what you have either found or already bought or had made for me and I will wear it.”
     
                  With her guilty look on her face, she quickly gets up and walks to the kitchen and brings a hanging bag out.
     
                  “Okay, I may have helped you a little bit.  In my defense, you have been busy and I knew if I didn’t give you a little help, you would never find anything.  So, tell me what you