"Come on, Will, try to keep up!" I called as I turned around to run backwards.
Will who was only two steps behind rolled his eyes at me as we continued our morning run. I laughed turning back around while picking up my pace. I heard Will pick up his pace as well as we ran, so I smirked deciding to make a race out of it. I took off at full speed, and Will cursed from behind me.
"Warn a guy, Cori!" He called off of me as he started running faster.
I just continued grinning as I rushed back towards the house. Sookie hadn't come home last night, but I didn't have any bad feelings, so I knew she was fine. I was just guessing she went over to Bill's place. She'll probably be home by the time we get back.
"Cori, slow down!" Will yelled.
"Will, speed up!" I retorted.
He cursed some more, but I did hear him catching up behind me. I wasn't about to be beaten by my younger brother though. I pulled out all I had, and soon found myself running up the steps to the house.
"And she wins again!" I cheered doing a small dance on the porch as Will stopped at the bottom of the steps out of breath.
He glared up at me as I continued my dance, but I froze when hearing a creak inside the house. I placed a finger to my lips, and Will nodded in understanding. Will put his hand in his back pocket probably where he had a weapon stored. I walked silently towards the door, and I opened it as quietly as possible. Will was right behind me, but then we heard something behind us. We whirled around ready for a fight, but we saw it was Sookie.
"What are you two doing?" Sookie asked.
I placed my finger over my lips to silence her, and she stiffened up realizing someone was in our house when she saw how cautious I was. I nodded to Will, and he stepped back next to Sookie. He placed a hand on her shoulder to keep her back as I stepped inside the house. I went in to the place, and I crept around the corner right into Jason. He jumped in surprise, and I frowned when seeing a bag and Gran's candlesticks in his hand.
"Fuck!" Jason cursed in shock.
"Jason, what are you doing with Gran's things?" I asked gesturing to what's in his hands.
He looked lost for words for a moment as he looked to what he had in his hands.
"I'm just takin what's half mine." Jason said.
"Those candsticks were given to her as a wedding present from her mother if I remember correctly." I said.
Jason shrugged trying to pass me as he said he needed the money, but I placed a hand on his chest to push him back.
"For what?" I asked. "Last time I checked, you have a job and a house."
"It's none of your business." Jason said.
"Oh, no, Jason." I said pointing towards him. "This house officially belongs to Sookie, so put that stuff down and get out."
Jason scoffed about to walk behind me, but I grabbed his arm to twist is behind his back. He dropped the bag and the candlesticks as I shoved him into the wall. He grunted in pain, and Will was soon coming through the door with Sookie behind him.
"What's going on?" Sookie asked then looked at the contents on the floor that had spilled from the bag. "...Jason, what were you doing with Gran's jewelry?"
"Planning on selling it." I replied for him while feeling extremely disappointed. "But he was just leaving."
I let go of Jason, and he rushed out of the house without glancing back at us.
"Was he really..." Sookie trailed off.
I nodded my head then noticed the two bite marks on the side of her neck. I reached forward tilting her head to the side to get a better look.
"Looks like I was right." I said. "You did go to Bill's last night...Pay up."
I held out my hand to Will, and he handed over a handful of drachmas as Sookie looked at us in confusion.
"What are those? And what did you two bet?" She asked.
"Gold pieces. Collectible." I lied. "And I bet you were at Bill's handing over your virginity, and Will bet you were at the bar all night drowning in your sorrows."
Sookie gave us 'are you two being serious' looks, and the two of us nodded in unison. She rolled her eyes at us then went up the stairs.
"I warned you not to bet against me." I said grinning.
"Shut-up." He said.
"Behave tonight." I said to Will as I sat him down. "And don't you dare try to pick up anybody. Everyone here is mostly too old for you."
Will smiled at me 'innocently', but I made the 'I'm watching you' gesture, which made him laugh. I started getting to work while noticing that Tara wasn't around. I shrugged my shoulder guessing she'd show up later.
"Hey, Good looking." I greeted Lafayette a little bit later as I placed an order.
"Hello, Beautiful." He greeted grinning at me. "You look fine tonight."
He winked at me, and I grinned in reply. He then froze looking over my shoulder, and I turned seeing three rednecks coming into the bar. Lafayette had told me he had an issue with 'three inbred rednecks', and I'm guessing it was these three. Lafayette left the kitchen to come confront the three as they sat down. I grabbed his arm, however, as Sam cut him off.
"I'm paying you to be a cook, not beat up customers." Sam said.
"Then I want a motherfucking raise." Lafayette said.
I smiled up at Lafayette as I kept a hold of his arm. Sam said he'd think about it then told Lafayette to keep cool.
"Yeah, Lafayette, we're getting busy, so we need your sexy ass in the kitchen." I said as Terry walked up with a box in his arms.
"Tara called." Terry said as he kept walking. "She ain't coming in."
Sam cursed because we were under-maned so to speak, and that's when Sookie walked past us.
"Don't worry, Sam." Sookie, who had a scarf covering her neck, said. "We'll make it work."
I shook my head at how peppy she was being as the two men gave her confused looks.
"Well, goddamn." Lafayette said as he walked up to Sookie. "Look at you, all pornalicious. What kind of crazy mix have you done and got yourself into you?"
Sookie just smiled grandly as I looked away scratching the back of my head. I knew why she was like this, and I'm sure the others would react badly if they knew.
"Can't I just be in a good mood without it being a big deal?" Sookie asked. "It's a pretty night, and I'm glad to be enjoying it with my friends. Oh, and I got a new scarf."
Yeah, I scarf I loaned to her. A scarf given to me by Silena, so she better take care of it.
"Very cute, baby girl." Lafayette said nodding.
Sookie walked off after that, and I noticed how Sam turned to me with a quirked brow.
"What?" I asked.
"You know why she's like that." He said narrowing his eyes.
"Nope." I said shaking my head. "Well, I better get back to work."
I rushed off ignoring Sam when he called for me to get back there. No way was I telling him the girl he had a thing for was sleeping with Bill whom he hated.
"Excuse me, Terry." I said spinning around before we crash into each other. "Sorry."
"It's fine, Rissa." Terry said smiling.
I smiled at him in return as I went to pick up a few orders. I paused, however, when seeing Lafayette heating up a spoon over the stove. I shook my head at him, and he winked over at me. He placed the spoon in a bowl of hot soup, and the spoon was so much hotter that steam came off the soup.
"Terry," Lafayette called getting the man to come over. "Can you run this to them crackers?"
He nodded to the three rednecks, and Terry nodded picking up the bowl.
"Thank you, baby." Lafayette said as Terry walked off with the food.
"You're bad, Lafayette." I said. "Funny, but bad."
Lafayette just continued grinning as I stacked my orders onto my tray. I walked off towards the bar where my customers were waiting, and I snorted when the redneck, who pissed off Lafayette, cried out in pain as he dropped his spoon. As I was placing down Rene's order in front of him, Sookie walked back towards the kitchen as Arlene rushed over to Rene.
"Sookie's been with that vampire." Arlene said as Rene was thanking me.
Rene blinked turning to his girlfriend as I grimaced. Sookie didn't tell Arlene, did she? I added a mental curse when seeing Sam had overheard Arlene, and was now leaning in.
"That's just bar talk." Rene said brushing off Arlene's comment.
"She told me herself!" Arlene asked.
Sookie, why in the name of Zeus would you do something like that? I resisted the urge to slam my face against the bar as Sam's expression darkened.
"Oh my lord...suppose she gets pregnant." Arlene said. "How in the world can she nurse a baby with fangs?"
I gave her a deadpanned look while wishing she'd shut her mouth because Sam was looking more pissed off by the second.
"You just be her friend." Rene said. "She needs one now more than ever."
I looked to Rene guessing I might have misjudged him. He's been really kind, and he's even defending Sookie.
"And she can't get pregnant by sleeping with Bill." I cut in before more could be said. "Vampires can't procreate because they're dead."
The three looked at me in confusion, and I mentally screamed at myself. Filter! Filter! Filter!
"Or so I've heard." I added quickly. "And it makes sense, right?"
Arlene paused to think a moment, but she did nod as I let out a sigh of relief. I was about to go on, but that's when I saw Sam rush towards Sookie who had just left a customer. He ripped off the scarf, and I groaned knowing this wasn't going to end well. He grabbed her chin roughly to tilt to the side, and she started struggling against him.
"You keep your hands off me, Sam Merlotte!" Sookie said shoving Sam away. "You have no right to touch me."
"You're a damn fool, you know that?!" Sam yelled.
Everything went quiet in the bar as people looked towards the two, but Will looked towards me in confusion. I shook my head meaning I had nothing to say.
"What I do on my own time is no concern of yours!" She snapped then turned towards the town. "Or any of ya'll's!"
Everyone was really paying attention to her now, and I frowned wondering if this could get any more awkward.
"Yes, I had sex with Bill." Sookie said as she looked to Sam. "And since all ya'll are too chicken to ask, it was great! I enjoyed every second of it, and if you don't like that, you can fire me!"
She took back the scarf from Sam, slammed her tray into his chest, and she marched off. Well, I guess it did get more awkward.
I was at the kitchen window getting an order when the door opened with three vampires coming in. I stiffened immediately, and I saw that Will was already on his feet as he watched the three vamps. I glanced around the place, and my eyes landed on Sookie. I saw how she stiffened, so I quickly put things together, and guessed these were those vamps from Bill's place she told me about. I think Sookie said their names were Malcolm for the male with the beard, Diane the female, and Liam the bald one. Diane went over to Will, which had me tensing even more.
"Hey there, Sugar." She said brushing up against my little brother.
I was about to go over there to beat the shit out of her, but Lafayette had come out of the kitchen in time to grab me.
"It's okay." He said holding me back. "Just stay calm."
I shook in anger at the sight of that bitch on my brother, and Lafayette wrapped his arms around me to pull me against his chest.
"Get us three True Bloods." Malcolm said.
"Ya'll need to go somewhere else." Sam said. "This is a family place. Locals only."
Malcolm smiled saying that they bought a place up the road, and that they were new locals.
"My bars, my rules." Sam said not backing down.
I grit my teeth glaring at the three vampires as I twist my bracelet around my wrist.
"Discrimination against vampires is punishable by law in the great state of Louisiana." Malcolm said then shrugged. "Personally, I don't give a fuck, but I am thirsty."
"You're not welcomed here." Sam said.
"That shit only works in a private home." Diane said as she brushed her hand up Will's chest.
He glared down at her, and she grinned as her teeth sunk out. I clenched my bracelet tightly as my body shook a bit more. Malcolm's eyes then landed on Sookie as he gave an over exaggerated gasp.
"How nice to see you again, Sookie." Malcolm said as Diane left Will to stand beside Malcolm. "You are looking delectable as always."
I relaxed partially, and Will looked over to me with a nod that assured me he was alright. Lafayette let go of me when I looked calmer, and I flexed my fingers as my eyes snapped back to the vampires.
"You know them?" Sam asked as Sookie glared at Malcolm.
"We've met." Sookie said unhappily.
Malcolm tilted his head to the side, and he grinned as he commented on Sookie giving up her goods.
"Did he leave enough for the rest of us?" Malcolm asked.
"I am his." Sookie reminded him.
"Well, he is not here now, is he? And while Bill's away, Malcolm with play." He said as his fangs clicked out.
He stepped closer to Sookie, and I acted instinctively. I reached back grabbing a knife that had been left at the kitchen window. I threw it with it zooming in between Malcolm and Sookie. It embedded itself into the wall as people turned to star at me.
"You aren't getting any blood here." I said stepping forward as I waved Will, who had made a move for his back pocket, off. "So leave before I make you."
"Hmm, are you really threatening all three of us?" Malcolm asked as he and his friends turned towards me.
"I am." I said.
Everything was still and silent as we stared off, but then Terry ran forward with a yell.
"Jihad this, motherfucker!" He cried.
Diane easily flipped Terry over her shoulder, and he went flying into the air before landing by the pool tables. Sam quickly grabbed a pool stick to snap in half, and Will grabbed one end to toss to me.
"You both are dead." Malcolm said pointing at us.
"We'll see about that." I said smirking. "I've killed your kind before, and I'll kill you three here and now."
Diane picked that time to rush at me, and I whirled around cracking the broken pool stick against her head, which sent her to the ground. Sam tried to go towards Liam, but he pinned him to the bar. I stabbed Diane in the shoulder causing her to cry out before I launched myself at Liam. I twisted his arm behind his back the slammed his head into the bar. His nose busted open, and I threw him to the floor as he cried in pain. Will tossed me another broken in half pool stick as I placed a foot on Liam's chest, and before I could finish off Liam, Bill came into the place.
"Stop this, now!" Bill ordered. "You're here for me, not them."
Bill then looked to see Diane just getting off the floor after ripping the wood from her arm. He glanced down at Liam before looking up at me. He slowly held out his hand for the broken pool stick, and I handed it to him as I breathed deeply. It wasn't because I was out of breath, but to control my instinct to finish of the danger in front of me. Bill took it while seeming worried as he gazed at me. I stepped away from Liam, and Sam grabbed me to pull me back. Will moved back as well while keeping in front of me in case the two vamps I attacked came after me. They did head for me, but Bill stepped between us and them.
"I said you're here for me." He growled as he looked to Malcolm.
The vampire was looking right at me, and I glared at him in return. If he and his friends tried anything else, I'd kill them right here and now. Malcolm finally turned to Bill as Diane and Liam stepped back.
"You never returned my calls." Malcolm said as he stepped forwards Bill. "Now, if I remembered what feelings were, mine might be hurt."
"Come join our nest, Bill." Diane said putting her arms around him. "Forget these blood sacks."
"Yeah, mainstreaming is for pussies." Liam said.
I was about to show him who the pussy was if he didn't back off, and leave us all alone. Bill was silent for a moment as he looked from Sookie and then to me. When he agreed to go, my eyes widened in surprise. He wasn't being serious, right? Sookie tried to beg him not to go, but in the end Bill left with those vamps. Once they were all gone, eyes started to turn towards me. I guess I just fucked up.
"I messed up so fucking bad." I cursed pacing in front of Will. "I shouldn't have done that. Now people are going to start asking questions. Ever since vampires came out into the open we've had to be more careful, but I screwed that all up last night."
Will silently watched me rant as I thought about last night. I had left Merlotte's not long after to come home with Will, and I haven't slept a wink. Sookie didn't come home last night, but she had called the house to let me know she was staying at Bill's place in case he came home.
"You need to calm down, Cori." Will said standing up to place my hands on my shoulders. "I'm sure the mist will do its work, and cover the entire thing up."
"I don't think the mist works when concerning vampires, Will." I said. "They're older than the gods, right? So, they're probably older than mist."
Will bit his lips obviously not sure what to say to that as I returned to pacing. I can already think of all the rumors flying around about me.
"Anyway, I think you should return to camp." I said as I forced myself to calm down. "It's obviously too dangerous for you to stay around here."
"If it's too dangerous for me, it's too dangerous for you." Will said. "Come back to camp with me."
I shook my head turning to face Will directly, and he frowned probably already knowing my answer.
"You're head councilor now, Will." I said. "You need to be there for the younger ones, and I don't want to have to call your mother to tell her you're dead because I couldn't protect you."
Will looked like he wanted to argue, but he just looked down in defeat. He said he'd Iris Message Nico to pick him up, and I thanked him.
"I wish you could stay longer." I said hugging him. "But you need to go."
He nodded his head telling me he'd be gone before I returned from my morning run. I sighed watching as he went up the stairs to probably grab his things. Now all I have to worry about is avoiding everyone in town until everything blows over.
I let out a breath as I returned home from my morning room, and even while outside, I could tell Will was already gone. I shook my head stretching my limbs when Sookie's car came to park in front of the house. She got out the car, and when she slammed the door, I guessed that Bill never returned home.
"Hey, I guessing no Bill." I said. "How you holding up?"
"Just great, Rissy!" Sookie snapped pushing me out of her way. "Bill's dead, but it's not like you would care."
I froze there in shock as her words sunk into my mind. What did she say to me? I hurried inside to find her in the kitchen with her head in her hands.
"What are you talking about, Sookie? What do you mean Bill's dead? And how could you say I wouldn't care?!" I asked.
"Someone burnt that house down with the vampires inside...four dead." Sookie said. "And you know you don't care. I haven't seen you cry a single tear or even show any emotion...not when Maudette died, not when Dawn died, and you didn't even spare a tear for Gran! You're like some robot without emotions!"
I stared at her not believing the words coming out of her mouth right now.
"I cried for Gran...I was so torn up inside, but I just didn't let you or anything else see it." I said. "I have emotions, Sookie Stackhouse. And when I came home to see Gran dying in her own blood I felt so much panic, and when I realized she was dead...I just froze. I've felt so much pain and sadness that you can't even imagine, so don't you dare tell me I don't feel emotions."
"Well, then how about you show it!" Sookie snapped. "And how about you actually open up to me! You've covered yourself in this thick wall, and you keep everyone on the outside of it to protect yourself and your secrets. Just what the hell is so bad that you keep out your own family?!"
I said nothing as I thought about my life the last nine years. The life I've been trying to keep a secret, so to live a more normal life here.
"The less you know the better." I said as I backed away from her. "Trust me."
"Where are you going?" She demanded as I started heading for the door.
"Out." I said. "I'll be back later when you're in a better fucking mood."
I sighed sitting out in the pouring rain as I twisted a twig between my fingers. I spent the day out in the woods brushing up on my tracking...and I even hunted a bit. It was rather peaceful almost like I was back at camp. I've honestly not run into my normal monsters since coming home, and if it wasn't for the vampires, I'd say life was almost normal. Lightning flashed above as I sat under a tree in my secret place. The rained hit against the pond's surface, and I watched it quietly.
I should probably have went home a while ago, but honestly, I didn't want to deal with Sookie. As I continued to rest underneath the tree being soaked to the bone, I started contemplating finding my own place. My mother's home was actually still waiting for me, but I hadn't been ready to move back into my childhood home when I had arrived back to Bon Temps. She left it to me in her will, and maybe it was time I officially moved back home.
The rain stopped falling as suddenly as it had started, and I looked up at the dark night sky. Maybe it was time to head back to Sookie. I stood up while wrapping my arms around myself. I was still only in a tank top, short-shorts, and my running shoes, and after being in the rain so long, I feel freaking cold. I started heading back home while hoping Sookie was in a much better mood. It didn't take that much longer to return, and when I returned the house...no one was there. I frowned feeling more lonely than I've had in a long time.
"Rissy, where the hell is Sookie?" Arlene asked as she grabbed a large tray of orders.
"Don't know." I said. "We had a fight, I've been avoiding her."
Arlene paused to look at me in worry, but I just grabbed another large tray since the normal ones were cutting it this time. I walked off with my orders, and delivered them as fast as possible since we were getting way behind. As I was heading back towards the window, I saw Sookie passing. She froze to look at me, and for a moment we just stared at each other.
"Rissa, order up." Terry said.
"Okay, Terry, I'm coming." I said hurrying passed Sookie.
I grabbed as many orders as possible, and I ignored Sookie as I passed her a second time. I really didn't want to talk right now about yesterday. Besides, there was no time to be standing around talking. There were hungry mouths to feed. I set down the orders then went to check on some of the customers that just walked in. I walked up to a booth, and I paused when seeing Jason with some girl.
"Hey, Jason." I said. "Anything I can you get and your friend?"
"Rissy." Jason said with a small smile on his face. "This is Amy...she's with me."
He seemed really giddy as he said this, so I gave the girl another look. She seemed nice and she was pretty.
"You're Corissa?" Amy asked. "Jason has told me a lot about you and Sookie. Nice to meet you."
She held out her hand to me, and I shook her hand before asking if they needed anything yet.
"Not yet." Jason said. "You okay? You seem tired?"
"Just a little swamped right now." I said. "Sookie just walked in, so hopefully things will go more smoothly. If you figure out what you need, let me know."
I went off to continue my job, and after getting an order for some drinks, I went up the bar. I placed my orders to Sam, and I took a moment to lean against the bar to rest.
"You doing okay, Rissy?" Sam asked.
"Yeah." I said. "Just a little overwhelmed at the moment."
Sam nodded his head in understanding as Arlene, who had been grabbing some of her own drinks, rubbed my back soothingly.
"You must be happy though to know Bill's alive." Arlene said.
"What?" I asked looking to her sharply.
Arlene and Sam exchanged a surprised glance as I blinked at the two of them in confusion.
"Honey, you didn't know?" Arlene asked. "Sookie just came in, and told Sam that Bill was fine."
"I guess that's where she was last night." I said. "Like I said, we had a fight, so I've been avoiding her."
Arlene gave me a sympathetic look then went off to get to her customers.
"Hey, Rissy." Sam said as he finished my drinks to place on my tray. "Think we can talk later...about the other night..."
I froze with my hands on my tray, but honestly, I shouldn't be too surprised. I've been waiting for someone to ask something.
"I'd rather not, Sam." I said. "It's complicated and the less everyone knows the better. Just know that I'm not some mystical monster or kickass vampire slayer."
Sam sighed though he did nod his head in consent, and I smiled for real for the first time today. I leaned over the bar to kiss his prickly cheek, and he grinned at me in amusement.
"Thank-you." I said.
"You're welcome." He said. "And don't worry too much about the humors. Don't let them get you down."
I nodded then continued on my way. I delivered the drinks, and on my way back to the kitchen, I paused beside Sookie when seeing Amy waiting Arlene's tables.
"Isn't she something?" Jason asked walking up to Sookie and I.
"If she's helping out, she's the greatest thing in the world." I said.
Jason smiled at me looking happy. Sookie looked between Jason and I, and I refused to look towards her. Still didn't want to talk about the fight yesterday.
"She's with you?" Sookie asked frowning.
"I know you're pissed at me, but...I really want you to like her." Jason said to Sookie.
Sookie's frowned deepened as she looked towards Amy who was walking towards us with a smile.
"Sorry about that." She said smiling. "You were looking swamped, and the natives were getting restless, so..."
"Don't be sorry." I said. "You just helped us out big time."
Amy smiled at me, and I smiled in return. I looked towards Jason winking to let him know I approved, and his grin widened.
"Um, you're Jason's sister, right?" Amy asked holding out her hand to Sookie. "It's...uh, I've heard so much about you."
Sookie hesitantly shook Amy's hand as Arlene came over asking Amy who she was.
"My name's Amy...Amy Burley." She introduced. "I'm with Jason."
"With me." Jason said like a lovestruck teenager.
I shook my head in amusement as Arlene blinked at the young woman in front of us.
"You must be Arlene with the beautiful red hair." Amy said smiling. "It's nice to meet you."
Arlene asked how Amy knew the tables' numbers, and Amy explained she a waitress in college, so she assumed the tables were clockwise. She then gave Arlene her tip from table five, and I smiled.
"Sam, I think we just found a replacement for Dawn." Arlene said.
"I second that." I said as she and I walked off to get our orders. "Terry, fill my tray up!"
"I can't believe I working tonight." I grumbled as I placed Hoyt's food in front of him. "It isn't far, Hoyt. Not after the day I had."
"I'm sorry you're tired, Corissa." He said smiling sweetly.
I smiled at him in return, and I kissed his cheek as I thanked him for caring. He blushed lightly as I walked off to continue working. Luckily there weren't too many people here tonight, so I could work more leisurely.
"Don't worry, Rissy, you have tomorrow off, so you'll be fine." Sam said.
"Whatever." I said shrugging. "Working here got me out of babysitting the little devils with Sookie."
I love Arlene, and I'm good with kids...but her son was a spawn of Hades for sure. No offense to Nico or anything since I love that kid to death...pun not intended.
"You've still not talked to her?" Sam asked me.
"Nope." I said. "I'm even thinking about moving into my mother's place. I think it'll be the best for the both of us."
Sam frowned shaking his head, but he said nothing, which was smart on his part. I continued on my way while praying to the gods that I remain sane at least a little while longer.
"Sookie, I'm home." I called walking in through the side door.
I paused when seeing Arlene, Rene, and Bill in the kitchen with Sookie.
"Yo." I said waving. "Bill, good to see you're alive."
Bill nodded with a smile as I walked over to Sookie. She opened her mouth to say something, but I covered it.
"I forgive you." I said. "Too tired to listen to heartfelt apology."
I removed my hand from Sookie's mouth, and she smiled at me seeming grateful. I then pushed her chair back to sit in her lap, and everyone at the table laughed.
"So, what are we talking about?" I asked.
Arlene squealed loudly making me wince as she showed me her ring. She told me she was engaged, and I mustered up the energy to be enthusiastic for her.
"You'll be one of my bridesmaids too right?" Arlene asked.
"Sure." I said shrugging. "It'll be an honor."
Arlene smiled brightly as she hugged me tightly, and I pat her on the back awkwardly. Rene chuckled in amusement, but I shot him a glare over Arlene's shoulder. He shrugged innocently while not making a move to help. The happy atmosphere was brought down when Rene suggested Sookie and Bill will be the next two to marry.
"Well, I mean, when it becomes legal." He added quickly as Arlene let go of me.
Lisa, Arlene's daughter, came into the kitchen sleepily rubbing her eye as she asked what was happening. Arlene told Lisa she was going to be her momma's flower girl, and Lisa squealed in joy. I smiled happy something good was happening for the first time in days.