Chapter 2: The House

I gestured my hand to Thomas to follow me to my car. He looked hesitated for a moment, his brown orbs wandered to look directly to his mama's for approval. After she gave him a slight nod, he turned to look at me before moving to follow me.

When we both stepped outside, the deadly bright sun nearly hurting our eyes, I had to extend my arm to cover my eyes. After my eyes adjusted, I caught a glimpse of Drayton leaning his back against my car, waiting for me.

He smiled as I approached him "Thank you for the gas". "Anytime miss...I can see you've met my little cousin" he said with a smirk. I scoffed, "Little" crossing my arms with a smirk to him. Drayton chuckled, rolling his eyes "Yep, I'm older than him by 3 years" he said, brushing his hands playfully onto thomas' long hair; Thomas pushed his hand back out, feeling a bit irritated by his annoying remarks.

I tried to hold back a chuckle, not wanting to make him more upset any further. Thomas cannot argue back using words so it's kinda pointless...

I reached into my pocket, pulling out a $10 bill before handed it out to him. His eyes widened "Wow, thank you, I appreciate that. First time anyone has given a tip". I slightly gasped "Aw, that sucks, you are such gentleman I'll say that. You deserve those tips" I giggled. He chuckled back "T-Thank ya, tis here will come in handy. Anyways, where you heading off too?".

I answered him "Well...Luda mae offered me to stay at her place for a couple of days before I head off to travel home. So Tommy here, I mean Thomas, will show me the way" I said, blushing.

I wasn't sure if Thomas was ok with me calling him; I didn't even bother to look back at him.

"Oh, then you'll see me later then since I gotta drive us back home anyways". "Yeah, and maybe...I can try your delicious BBQ and chili you say you make?". He squinted at me before they widened "Oh, Oh yeah certainly! I can make it tonight for dinner if you like, I make em best". I chuckled "Well I'm excited to try. Well, I'll see you in a bit then" I said, signaling a small wave to him before getting in the car.

While I was in the driver's seat, my heart jumped, to the car sinking, making a loud rusty noise, due to the hulking Thomas sitting in the passenger side. Freckles immediately me to hop into his large thighs "I think she likes you" I chuckled, watching him pet my dog very delicately. Thomas was a very massive guy but he was as gentle as a horse; the way he gently pats Freckles with his huge calloused hands like if she was some flower. "I'm sorry I called you Tommy. I didn't know you'll be ok with me calling you that so that's why I stuttered" I told him, he says nothing and just looks at me.

"It's more further up right?" I said to him, pointing straight to the lifeless dirt road before he nodded.

"Thanks". 'I guess' I thought.

5 minutes down the dirt road I started to see a huge grey Victorian plantation Farmhouse up ahead. "Wow, this house looks so big. Is this where you live Thomas?" I looked at him with surprise. He nodded "It's massive, man I wish I lived here" I said. I turned to look at Thomas when I thought I heard a grunt from him. I looked at him with confusion "What?" I said, he just shrugged.

I parked my small white car in front of the house. I stood still, just capturing the beautiful view of this house. I felt thomas turning to look at me through my peripheral vision, probably wondering why I admired the house so much. The house didn't look clean, no it looked vandalized and it had some discoloring, but it still looked nice to me.

"Well...let's get out of the hot car, I'm beat" I said to Thomas. Before I moved to get out, I felt a warm hand grasp my hand. Looking at Thomas with worry in his eyes "What's wrong Thomas" I asked him. He said nothing and just looked down into our hands grabbing each other. Since he couldn't speak, I don't know what was going on in his mind; I wish I can read him. I wanted to get out of the heated car "Thomas, I don't know what your asking for since you can't talk".

He grunted and let go of his hands from mine. 'Ok, that was weird. What did he want?' I thought. Stepping out of the car, carrying my dog with one of my hands, I started to walk slowly towards the rusty, chicken wired door; Thomas stayed close behind me.

Suddenly, the door swung open making dust hit me, revealing a tall, scrawny, much older man. He looked like he was in his 70's or 80's, he was wearing a red cap, blue dirty jeans, and a white tank top. He was sneering at me, looking through his glasses "Who are you? What do you want?".

I felt nervous washing over me "Hi, I don't know if Luda Mae told you but I'm here to stay for a couple of days. And Thomas helped me the way here".

The old man stood silent and called for someone "Charlie! Charlie! Get over here, Tommy is with some chick and some mutt here on em door!" he shouted.

I sneered my eyes at him for calling my dog a mutt; well...she technically is.

In seconds, another older man with big bushy eyebrows comes walking in the front door. He stared at me with a glare and looked back at Thomas "Uncle Monty, get back in da darn house, whatchu standing there like some dipshit and getom inside!" he yelled at him.

He turned to look at me and suddenly spit his chewing tobacco on the floor. "Luda Mae called and told me everything. Come inside darling, come on" he gestured me, I just nodded.

Cradling my dog protectively in my arms while taking in my surroundings. "Nice house you have here" I spoke softly. The old man chuckled "Been staying here with Uncle Monty and Mama Hewitt since 1970's". "Ya may sit in the couch there til Luda Mae get him with Drayton. Thomas can get ya bags from the car" He said, looking at thomas with testing eyes. My eyes widened "Oh no, that's ok, I can get them myself. Thomas do-" he cut me off. "Nonsense, dat boy needa behave and respect toward women. Now boy, get this ladies bags in da car like a gentleman and don't just stand there, gitty up boy!" He shouted at Thomas, I felt bad, guilt hitting me for the way Thomas was being treated.

This is probably one of the reasons why he's mute and acts so scared. I sighed watching Thomas stomped out of the door. I realized I still had my car keys, so I sneeked out of the door before the old man noticed. "Thomas wait" I told him, he turned around, looking already upset. "I'm not going to have him make you take all my belongings, but you can help me if you want" I said smiling to him, he nodded.

Thomas helped me bring my bags to the second floor, putting them into an unoccupied small room. Mrs. Hewitt came back 10 minutes later and gave me a quick tour of the Victorian farmhouse. They even had a little red barn in the back, with some pigs, cows, and chickens.

Too bad there weren't any horses, I would of loved to ride one or pet them.

Thomas had his own little room in the basement which was off limits. I settled down into the room, with my dog sleeping on the bed, tired out of the whole long trip here. I was looking through my phone "I wonder where we can go visit tomorrow, I want to see as much Texas as I can" I said to my dog, she looked at me with a wagging tail.

I looked at her and thought "What do you think of Thomas?" I said, she still wagged her tail.

I chuckled "Yeah, I like him too. He's just...different and idk…" I stopped my sentence, feeling blush creeping into my cheeks.