Chapter 1: Rest stop
The travel to Texas had me feeling aggravated every since we entered the state. What I mean we, is because brought along my little dog; she is a chihuahua-rat terrier mix and she is also my emotional support dog. If she didn't come along on this long, dreadful ride with me then I would be on the verge of panic mode; I can't travel alone.
It was still spring but once you reach the state of Texas, it feels like it's summer already. Good thing I had a small ice cooler in the back with lots of water and cold sandwiches incase we get hungry.
19 hours in this long drive, I reached a sign that said 'Travis county 20 miles'. I sighed, slouching myself a bit and moving my butt around the seat since it was sore. My goal was to aim for Austin, which was near Travis county, then we see what we'll do from there. I always wanted to visit Texas because people always talk about how nice it is, having the best BBQ, nature, beautiful mountains, and most of the time people always play movies that take place in Texas; so I was like why not just take a look around.
Spend a couple of days or something, then head back home to Los Angeles.
Hearing the soft pants from my dog, I pressed the switch to open the window more. Her small head barely peering out of the car window "Try not to jump now because that is suicidal" I chuckled.
We finally reached Travis county...nothing but trees, dry grass, and dry roads. In the next 5 minutes, I saw a little white building from the distance. As we got closer, I realized it was gas station with a small retail shop, it read "Bilbo's Texas Landmark: Run by Texans". My car needed gas anyway and a short rest stop won't hurt. I slowly parked the car beside the gas pumps and got out of the car.
I walked to the passenger seat and opened the car for Freckles. I grabbed her red leash "Come on Freckles, if you gotta go pee pee, then get down" I commanded her. Immediately, she listens and jumps out of the car, showing off her little pink sun hat, purple sunglasses, and her little rest vest that said 'ESA'. As we were walking towards the place, my heart jumped when a man came out of nowhere.
"What can I help you miss?" he said, staring at me and then looking down at my dog. "I just stopped by to take a break from a long drive and gets some gas".
"You ain't from around here arn't yah?" He said with a smirk. I tried to hide my smile "No sir, I'm just traveling. Want to see the heart of Texas and hopefully try their BBQ, since I heard it's the best".
He scoffs "You damn right it's the best. I make da best BBQ and chili in Texas, you should try mah food little miss, ya be eating like theres no tomorrow" I chuckled, blushing pink as I'm not used to someone calling me 'little miss' because I am 5'5 ft tall; average-sized.
"I'll keep that in mind Mr…."
"Oh, how rude of me, names Drayton. And what's your name and that lil pooch their?", he pointed at Freckles, she approached him with curiosity and a wagging tail as he held a hand towards her.
"My name is Alexis and this is Freckles" I smiled, looking at Drayton as he pet my dogs head, making smoochie noises.
"Hello sweetie. It's rare seeing such a cute dog here in these parts, always seeing running strays or dead ones here".
"Do you have a bathroom inside?" I said, pointing at the store. He looked up at me from the ground still petting my dog "Uh...yeah we do, O'l Luda Mae can help you inside while I round up the gas for ya" he said, I smiled and nodded.
"T-thank you Drayton" I said, before calling my dog to come follow me into the store.
I carried my dog as I walked into the store. The outside wasn't the only part that looked very worn down, the inside looked like it also hasn't been used in awhile, as it was extremely empty. My eyes catching a view of the register, I began to approach it. I called out "Hello?" I said, scanning behind the register.
I sighed, before I turned around to look for the bathroom "Need anything?" the voice out of nowhere belonging to an old lady smoking a cigarette. "I, uh, is there a bathroom here I can use?". Her eyes slowly gazing at me and my dog "Yeah we do, is out da back, here are the keys for it" she grunted as she dangled the keys. I softly grabbed the keys from her and smiled "T-thank you Luda Mae". She scoffed "I can tell you already met my nephew Drayton", she puffed out smoke.
"Yeah, he seems really nice. Said nice compliments about me and my dog here" She stared at my dog with a unsure look. "We'll that's a surprise, dat boy ain't a fan of animals".
I nodded, giving her the 'ok uh-huh sure' look.
"You run this place?"
She smiled "Yeah, just me and Drayton. Drayton mostly takes care of em gas while I stay in here, sometimes my boy comes and helps me".
"You have a son?" I asked.
She nodded "Adopted son, my boy Thomas. He's a very good boy but can be very shy". "I would love to meet him".
She chuckles "Boy ain't gonna show himself, especially round girls. Like I said, very shy. He also don't talk, my boy has been mute for many years because everybody kept picking at him for the way he looks, so he rather not peep a word" she said, looking upset.
"Aw, I can't stand bullying. I was bullied too when I was in school" she lifted one eyebrow, as if to say I'm lying.
I laughed "It's true, I got picked at for my acne, skin color, and my timidness. People always pick on the weak ones because it makes them feel stronger and much better about themselves when it really doesn't".
"Those things ain't nothing, I see nothing wrong about you. You haven't seen my Tommy yet, once you see him, I bet you will wanna run away".
I nodded my head "I'm not like that. What's important is what's on the inside, not the outside" I said, pressing a hand on my chest. Luda Mae smiled, eyes with tenderness, almost motherly "I've never met a person quite like you, I'm starting to like you already".
"What's a cute girl like you doing out here in Travis county, Texas?" Luda mae questioned.
"I'm just traveling with my dog. Sooner or later I'm going to have to find a place to stay for a couple of days before I head on back" I said, looking down into the cute eyes of my dog.
Her eyes widened "You can stay at my place darling". "Oh, you don't have to do that, it's -" she cut me off.
"Oh hush now, I don't mind. I'm sure Charlie wouldn't mind either having a pretty lady like you there".
"How much do you want?" I asked, trying to grab my wallet from my black purse while carrying my dog with the other. "No, don't worry bout that, it's in the house and your dog is welcomed their as well, she is such a cutie" she said.
"Thank you Luda mae" I said to her. "You can call me Mrs. Hewitt or Momma" she explained.
"Thank you Mrs. Hewitt".
"No problem sweetheart. Now, is there anything you need besides wanting to use the restroom, like a drink or something?" she said.
"No it's ok. I got some water and cold sandwiches in the back of my car in a ice cooler, thank you though".
"Alright then, the bathrooms is outside, right in the back area" she said, pointing towards a direction in the house.
The bathroom was in one of those portable restrooms, I wasn't a big fan of using those, there always dirty and you can actually see the crap and shit since they don't flush; instead they go to the ground.
As I thought, it smelled and it was disgusting. I held my dogs small frame in front of my face, trying to keep the horrid smell from hitting me; bad smells don't really bother dogs as much, they love eating cat shit for some reason. I had to pee really bad, so I began releasing myself while in a 'squat' position, trying not to touch the toilet. Lucky for my dog, she can pee anywhere outside. She was tied outside next to the bathroom I was in. I tried to get done quickly, it was very hot and humid in here, which made the smell worse.
As I stepped out of the restroom, my heart sank as my eyes caught a huge, muscular man, bulky man sitting on his knees giving my dog from what it looks to be a raw bone. I didn't think he noticed my presence, as he almost fell back once he was aware of me.
One thing I had to say about this man, was that he was huge. He looked like he was more than 6 ft tall, he was very broad-shouldered, very muscular, tan skin, long dark messy hair, blue jeans and a yellow shirt, following by a dirty apron slipped over them. Half his face was covered by a leather looking mask but what caught me most of all, was his brown eyes; shimmering with the sun. He looked nervous, as he flinch when I took a step closer to him; he was trembling. I sank to my knees "You must be Thomas" his trembling stopped, now with a confused look to him.
"Mrs. Hewitt is your mother right?" I asked him, he nodded slightly without saying a word. I didn't forget he was mute just like Luda Mae told me "My name is Alexis and that is Freckles my dog" he looked at me and my dog.
I sighed "I'm sorry, did I scare you? Let me help you get up" I said, standing to my full height before gesturing a hand out to him. When he got up, I dusting myself off before picking up my dog, placing a kiss on her forehead. Her eyes aiming at the bone on the ground, I slowly picked it up, "Did Thomas give you a bone, that was nice of him, say thank you" I looked at Thomas, he turned away probably blushing from my comment.
"Luda told me you didn't talking, so, it's ok if you don't" I said, he looked at me with widened eyes. I pointed a finger toward my face "I like your mask by the way" his eyes widened more.
"Anyways, Luda Mae let me stay for a couple of days at her place before I leave. I only came to Texas to look around and taste their food, traveling you know" I said, he only shrugged his shoulders.
"I know we'll be together for a couple of days, I want to get to know you and Drayton too, he seems also sweet" I said, he tilted his head.
A couple of minutes later, me and Thomas stepped into the store. Luda Mae glanced over at me and her eyes widened to the sight of seeing Thoma beside me before she smiled "Well, I think this is the first time I see him not acting too shy round the females" I chuckled, Thomas just rolled his eyes.
"Now dear, my house is just down da road here, it's a big gray one, you won't miss it. If you want, I'll have Thomas show you the way" I looked at thomas, he nodded.
"That's fine, but what about you?" I asked Mrs. Hewitt. "Don't worry about me, I'm gonna be closing this place in a bit and Drayton will drive me there, now is best you go along now" she said, waving her hand at me.
"Ok, I'll see you then, come along Thomas" I held a hand to him to follow and he did.
As the site of her car drove off and was plain out of sight, Luda mae reached for the phone and dialed "Charlie, there's something I gotta tell ya".