Chapter 2: If Cows Could Fly
I don't remember much after that. I had fallen asleep and when I woke up, I was in a room that was...unfamiliar and yet...somehow still familiar. It was a girl's room. The bedding and decor were black and sky blue with silver accents and the furniture, walls and rugs were all done in a matching fashion. I liked it but it was eerily familiar...and slightly childish. But this was like a dream that you remember only vaguely, it was coming back in bits and pieces. I didn't like it but I wanted to know. This was so frustrating that I couldn't simply remember. I have secretly prided myself on a scary good memory and the fact that right then I couldn't just think of what it was and remember was the scariest and most frustrating of all. I wanted to trust these people but every time I think I trust someone, it backfires and I'm the one who ends up hurt. Or worse. I hurt them. I looked at my clothes and saw I was wearing what I was wearing when I was last conscious, so no big scare there. A quick look at the items on top of the dresser showed pictures of a couple who have a boy standing in front of them. He has a big goofy grin on his face and his mom looks pregnant. I can only assume that's Sookie's mom and dad and Jason with Sookie still waiting to be born. Technically they're my mom and dad too but I just don't feel like this is real quite yet.
"That's Jason before we were born. He had a goofy grin back then, too." I jumped clean out of my skin when I heard Sookie speak. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare ya. I woulda knocked but you've been sound out since Thursday. Are ya hungry?" she swiftly apologises. I was listening a little too closely and decided to check my phone. I was on the road late Thursday when I met these people and now it's 4:32pm. Huh. That's not so bad. My stomach decided to answer Sookie's question since I was taking too long. Sookie giggled. "I'll take that as a 'yes.' C'mon. Gran's been itchin' to meet you and celebrate." This time I laughed and it was something that I hadn't been able to do since there was never anything to laugh about. I realized this rather fast and the laughing wouldn't stop. Sookie saw this and must have thought I was insane but when I simmered down some she and I shared a look and before we knew it we were on the hugging and laughing and crying, just letting the relief flow. When we settled, we sat there for a while and just talked. It wasn't until we heard a gentle clearing of the throat didn't we even realize Gran was standing at the top of the stairs, smiling at the two of us. "Gran, I am so sorry! I completely lost track of time. I-" but Gran held up a hand and Sookie's apology faded away as Gran wiped away a few tears. She was smiling and held her arms open and an image flashed through my mind. I leapt up and ran to her arms and held tight. "Sophee! Sophee! My sweet grandbaby's come home! Oh! How I've missed you so!" she was crying. For me. For the first time in my life, i felt loved. We sat down at the kitchen table and chatted away until sookie said she was going to be late for work if she didn't start getting ready now.
"Would ya like to come with me? We can get a few people pranked while we're at it. I know Sam would love to meet you and Tara, she's been a good friend since before I can remember and her cousin Lafayette is...well they're all good friend's of mine and I really want you to meet 'em. Ya used ta know 'em too but this'll really surprise 'em. I'm sure they'll be glad ta see ya. I know y'all will get along just like peas in a pod." "Sure Sookie. A chance to get to know them sounds wonderful but Gran, will you be alright by yourself? I don't want to leave you here to count the flowers on the wallpaper." "Oh, hooey! You just go have a wonderful time for the two of us, ya hear?" I hug her again and wait for Sookie to get dressed and ready to go. "Okay, almost ready but I want you to put this on." Sookie says holding up a spare uniform that reads Merlotte's Bar and Grill. I smirk as I take it and get washed and changed. I also put on lipstick in the same shade as her and tied my hair up into a high ponytail. When I stepped out, I handed Gran my cell phone and gave her a crash course on how to take a photo. Me and Sookie stand side by side in the same pose but in a mirroring position. Gran takes the photo and smiles as we all hug once more and Sookie and I head out.
On the way there, Sookie tried to teach me how to talk Southern and I tried to teach her how to talk street. She had a limited knowledge of it from Lafayette but I helped perfect it. "Sophee?" Sookie began on a more serious tone. "Yeah, Sookie?" "What happened all those years ago?" "I don't really know. I woke up in a hospital after being comatose for eight months. Before all of that, I've never been able to remember. What happened on your end. How did I get there?" "Sophee, you, Mama, and Daddy all went to the hospital because you weren't feeling too good and then there was a flash flood on a bridge and...well Mama and Daddy's bodies washed up so we all thought you died too and after all that time...we just lost hope and figured you weren't coming back." "So, I spent all the time you were looking in a hospital and no one thought to check the missing persons report? That sucks ass! I spent my childhood thinking either no one cared enough to come take me back home or everyone was dead and there was no home to go back to because those fucking idiots in the hospital couldn't call the police and get a God damn list of people who matched my description and were missing! Shit! Fucking God damn Shit!" If I was furious when Bill tried to glamour me, we were lucky that Hell wasn't cracking out of the ground at this point. Right now, I could just scream until I blew up the world by shattering it with non stop screaming and nothing in the world could ever console me. But my sister was sitting right next to me and she might not know it but she was the only thing keeping me anchored to the now.
Some time passed and we pulled up. We ran through what we were going to do and walked through the door. I followed the way she walked and stayed 2-3 feet behind her so everyone saw two Sookies. We stopped in front of a dumbstruck couple. One was a tall and thin redhead who looked to be a few years older and the other was a greying guy who was also a few years older. Sookie gave me the who's who and the what's what before we got here and we proceeded with our scheme. "Hi Sam! Hey Arlene! How're y'all doin' tonight?" we said in unison. "Oh! Sam tell me you see two Sookies, too!" Arlene fretted. We giggled simultaneously and Sam started to fret a little too. "Yeah. Arlene, I think we're being played." Sam looked from me to Sookie. "Well I don't much like being Played, Punked, or Howie Do It. Knock it off, Sookie!" Arlene snapped. "What the fuck is goin' on, hooker?" Lafayette says as he steps from the kitchen. "What do you mean Lafayette? It's the same as always in here." we say in unison again and cocked our heads to the right, just like we rehearsed. Sadly, Sookie couldn't take it anymore and started to really laugh hard. "I'm sorry but I could not resist doing this!" and she continues on laughing so hard, she starts tearing up. "Hi! I'm Sophee! Apparently long lost twins are in this season and if you don't have one, you're a square." I call over Sookie's hysteria which only makes her laugh more. Sam starts to laugh nervously but seems to realize I'm not joking. "Wait! You're serious?" "Serious as serious gets. Now Sookie's told me everything about everyone and I think I got it down pat. You're Sam Merlotte. Spellings out front." I say pointing at the handsome yet greying older gent. "Arlene." I say pointing at the redhead. "Lafayette." I point to the buff dark skinned guy who popped out of the kitchen looking like he got hit by a speeding rainbow through a drag club and landed fabulously into work with a score 10 from the judges. "And last but certainly not least, Tara." I say as I point to a tall thin busty dark skinned girl who stepped up with a wild glaring look in her eye. "You're Sophee?" she asked. "Yes. That's me. Should I maybe get a sticker or something? You know, to make it a little easier?" "Or something." says Sam. He's eyeing me kinda weird but I guess it's a weird situation for anyone to be in. Honestly, everyone was giving a look similar to what he was giving me. Sookie went to clock in and start her shift. "Um, Sam I also came to see if you were hiring, are you?" I asked hesitantly. No matter where you go or what you do, this part is never any easier. Trust me. "Sure I can give you a quick interview in my office and a paid trial run tonight. From what I see tonight, we can make a decision based on your performance." "Great. Hey thanks a bunch." I say and smile pleasantly. "You're welcome." Sam runs through all the typical questions and asks for a list of contacts from previous employers. I went through my cell to retrieve them and saw something that stopped my heart. My phone read Saturday! I met Sookie on a Thursday! She must have tried to pull my leg by manually changing the date on my phone! I ignore the prank and give him the list. He gets rather surprised when the list I give him has more than 15 people on it.
"I move around a lot." I say and shrug it off. "Yeah. About that. Now that you and Sookie found each other, are you planning on sticking around?" "I don't really know yet. I guess I'm just waiting to find out if I feel...something...anything at all and I want that feeling to be something that just grabs me surprise and makes me want to stay. Heh. I guess I sound crazy." I reply. "No. I don't think it's crazy at all. Honestly, I think what you're looking for is a crazy little thing called love. I may be wrong but if I'm right, you're certainly looking in the right place. The Stackhouse's got more love I a toe clipping than most people I'd seen have in their whole bodies." He smiled at this and something inside told me he was right. We talked about a few of the basics and I was on my way. I only had five tables to wait on and 3 years of experience under my belt. I got in and out easily and the customers just loved me. Sookie was right. Me, Tara and Lafayette got to be thick as thieves real quick and we even started to have a few inside jokes about customers which we had to share with Sookie who was really enjoying the company until Jason walked in and then she just looked sad as she made her way to Jason. They talked a brief moment and then she looked even more sad as well as worried. I was going to go talk to her but a riot amongst the customers broke out and I had to diffuse it. "What's going on here?" I asked. Sam sighs and says, "We were supposed to have a live band tonight but the lead singer ate chinese food and discovered he's allergic to sesame oil. So, no band and angry customers." The customers only got louder and Sam went to his office to try and make some calls. I was going to talk Sookie but she went after Sam and I was left to deal with the aftermath. I took a deep breath and got on the stage. I grabbed a mic and fixed it to the piano and proceeded to turn it on. I started the piano intro to Kerli's Love Me Or Leave Me.
"Sitting here watching you go, for all I know this could be it
It's been awhile since you have kissed me like you mean it
Been working out, you smell so good, it's not for me
I don't mean to push you but you say that you don't feel it
Love me or leave me or quit me or keep me
Whatever it is you're feeling, I just need to know
Love me or leave me, grip me or free me
I know that you're out of love so say it isn't so
Or please just let me go, or please just let me go
Minutes turn hours and I keep waiting, staring at the door
I don't wanna' lose you but I can't hold on forever
All these love affairs where no one cares enough for me
So give me your everything or give me nothing ever
Love me or leave me, quit me or keep me
Whatever it is you're feeling, I just need to know
Love me or leave me or grip me or free me
I know that you're out of love so say it isn't so
Or please just let me go, or please just let me go
It kills me every time you can't say it back
I'll pretend I'm fine but I'm about to crack
Bleeding dry of faith, I just miss you so
Pull me closer now or please just let me go
Love me or leave me or quit me or keep me
Whatever it is you're feeling, I just need to know
Love me or leave me, grip me or free me
I know that you're out of love so say it isn't so
Or please just let me go, or please just let me go
Or please just let me go"
As the song ends, the applause is incredibly loud and the whistlers almost hurt my ears but it's so worth it. I see Sam looking at me with interest and I remember I still have three out of my original five tables and more coming if they want to hear live music. "We'll be right back with requests in a few but for right now please enjoy the musical stylings of the radio." A few chuckles and I was off to wait the tables before going to see Sam. "I'm sorry, Sam! I just know that angry customers can turn lynch mob after they've had a few and I swear that soccer mom was crocheting a hanging rope under the table." I say breathlessly as I had just flawlessly handed out drinks and appetizers as well as desserts and entrees in a matter of minutes. "No. Don't be sorry. You were amazing. How come you don't take that talent to a record label?" "Ha! Good one! I am nowhere near that level of talent. Now, I got about two request songs until I have to go back and-" "No. I want you on that stage tonight and nowhere else, you got that?" Sam cut in. "You sure?" "Go. I got your tables. Just sing." "O-oka-ay…" I said hesitantly as this was the weirdest job order for a new waitress but whatever.
"Alright, alright, alright! We are back! Now, who has a request?" My night went by fairly nice. The crowds rolled out just before closing and the restaurant was falling quiet. Sam put a tip jar on the stage and come closing there were three more. All four were overflowing and I didn't feel quite right without splitting it so I divided it all 6 ways as Sookie left early to go somewhere with Bill and Tara left early with Jason. It was me, Lafayette, another cook named Big John, another cook we had to call in because of all the crowds named Terry, Arlene, and Sam. Even between the six of us, it was still more than Arlene made on any given night and she's been working there for ten years. She said so herself. Sam didn't really think I should share it but I set him straight. "Sam. If I were only in it for the money, I would take my voice to a smarmy as Hell record label instead of singing in a bar. Besides, I only got this much because I have a God given talent and if I don't share whatever good fortune it brings than I don't deserve to have a voice at all." After that, he accepted it and even believed it a little himself. We worked out a deal. I sing every other Saturday and anytime he can't get a gig for the remaining Saturdays. He wrote me up on the schedule and put me down for night work. Bill rode home with me and Sookie that night. They just got back from wherever Sookie ditched work to go to and they did not seem happy. "So, I heard you were a big hit onstage today. Were you ever going to tell us you sing?" "Yeah but now I can't have my big reveal. I had planned it for the day cows sprout wings and fly." I retort and we all share a small laugh at the ridiculous idea, despite some resentment between the two lovers in the front. "On a much more serious note we would all have to walk outside with some mighty sturdy umbrellas, if cows could fly."