Author's Notes: Thanks everyone for the reviews, story alerts, favorite alerts, etc, etc. I'm glad the story's been enjoyed so far. Here's chapter two. I really enjoyed Gran's character in the show and was saddened that they killed her off, so I decided to add her here, although she may be OOC at times. Enjoy!
Chapter Two
"Sookie, what was all that about? Did Eric came here to put his moves on you again? My goodness, that man hasn't stopped pursuing you has he?" I heard my Gran's voice startling me from behind, chuckling, her arms laden with wet laundry, her salt and pepper hair glistening under the sun, protruding with sweat.
"Just Eric being his playboy self as usual, Gran, and yes, he was. He sure was actin' a bit funny after he left though. I wonder what his problem was," I muttered, reverting back to placing the lavender bulbs into the dirt, trying to take my mind off of him, and the frightening realization that I may be developing more than just seething rage towards him. It was scary to think about, even to someone such as myself, who had the curse of telepathy at my disposal. I was tagged as a freak in Bon Temps, and yet, possible new feelings for Eric were scaring the hell out of me? How is that possible?
"Sounds to me like you may have hurt his feelings, Sookie. If so, why hadn't you apologized? I raised you better than that," Gran queried, curiosity befallen on her. She has to be joking, right? I wondered incredulously. "Gran, please, this is serious. You can't honestly believe that Eric cares for anyone other than himself. He's too self-entered, and it doesn't take one that long to know him to realize his personality and how he acts around others, especially women," I scoffed, my lips quirking.
Gran flashed a knowing smile, and I felt my stomach falling into a pit of despair, wary as to what she was planning on saying next. I really didn't want to know, but I had no choice but to listen. At that moment, I felt like I was five years old all over again, throwing a temper tantrum. My lips were now forming into a pout. And it was deepening.
"Sookie, haven't you wondered yet that perhaps you may be developing some sort of feeling for him? Dearest, people can fall hopelessly in love with someone even if they can be a nuisance in their lives. It happens more often than you may think. But sometimes, one's stubbornness may blind a person from seeing the truth."
"Gran, that may be true in some cases, but I promise you, it's not happening with me. The only emotion I feel towards that Eric Northman is sheer aggravation, and the urge to punch him right in the face. If an opportunity should present itself, I'll be happy to take it," I huffed, shielding my crimson face from both Gran's gaze and the tinge of embarrassment that lingered on my cheeks.
Another amused chuckle from her and then, "Well, Sookie, if that's how you feel, then perhaps you won't be too happy with this." Gran produced a Hallmark card of some sort from underneath the pile of wet clothes, protected by a single sheet of cackling plastic that enveloped it. "Where did you get this?" I exclaimed, my face developing into a frantic frown. My eyes were as wide as the sun itself.
"I found it on the porch early this morning just before you got up. It seems Eric had sent it as I recognize his handwriting. You might want to open it and see what the card has to say," Gran insisted, throwing me a wink while I rolled my eyes for the second time that day.
"Gran, can you please stop with that? Don't encourage his behavior, otherwise he'll never stop harassing me, and I don't know if I can take it alongside the constant harassment I get from work about him." I sighed, knowing that in less than thirty minutes, I had to get ready to drive to Merlotte's and get an earful from the female bar patrons concerning one Eric Northman. The ability to read minds was difficult enough as it is. I gritted my teeth at the response that was possibly waiting for me at the bar.
If there was any possibility, I would had gotten my shovel and dug a nice, shapely six feet ground of dirt for me to lie in comfortably while having the chance to avoid the man at all costs.
It was a nice mental image, and I spent the next couple of minutes indulging in my fantasy until Gran decided to interrupt that fantasy with a shout. I quickly jumped, pressing my hand against my chest. "Oh, Gran, don't do that, please." I shook my head as she gave another brief chuckle.
"Aren't you gonna read the card? I'm dyin' to hear what's written," she encouraged in excitement. She could be too much at times, even at her age. But I loved her nevertheless. Silently, I tugged the card away from its' plastic sheath, anxiety pinching my expression.
The card was seemingly blank at first, until I opened it in time to see Eric's perfected handwriting scribbled across the top front in lead stencil. After allowing my eyes to absorb the words, I was ready to head on back to the kitchen, fish out my lighter, and set the damn thing on fire until it was nothing more than a rubble of ashes.
"From the expression on your face, it looks to me that Eric has gotten under your skin for the second time today," Gran mused, her head hovering over my shoulder as she took the card gingerly, her eyes scanning it until she muttered the words, "Oh, my."
Rapidly, I took the card from her withered hands, crushing it between my fingers, my face burning. With embarrassment or flattery, I couldn't pinpoint exactly what emotion I was enduring then. "I'm sorry you had to see that Gran. Eric's mind is filled with nothing but perversion. You shouldn't had seen that."
"My Sookie, don't you be worryin' about me dearest. I have seen far worse than those measly little words. Eric is a novice compared to the men I had dated so long ago. But even so, I'm a bit surprised he's takin' a liking to you so quickly. But now I reckon it's time for you to be headin' off to work. I'll see you later, eh? I'm off to cook some lunch for your brother Jason. Supposed to be comin' over, but I'm guessin' he spent the night somewhere if you know what I mean." Gran shook her head, now occupied with clipping and folding the laundry over the makeshift clothesline.
"Probably. I'll see you later Gran," I muttered distractedly. I decided on a course of action. Trotting towards the pile of trash cans that littered our front yard, I made my way over, pulling the lid and tossing the card into one of them. Instantly I felt better, but somehow, I felt hollow. I couldn't explain it exactly. I had work to go to, and I wouldn't be surprised in the least if Eric had decided to come visit me. Wouldn't be the first time.
At this, I shuttered. But a part of me, inexplicably, was looking forward to it. Now I had to figured out why.
A/N: Next chapter, Sookie will come face to face with Eric at Merlotte's, and maybe, just maybe, he'll explain what he wrote in that infamous card. I really enjoyed writing this chapter, as it gave Sookie and Gran a moment to spend together, which was one of the things I loved about the season one of True Blood. I'll be out of town in over a week, so I'll try to post chapters three and four as soon as possible. All feedback and reviews are appreciated.
