Chapter Ten
Jessica Hamby sat down on the stool of Merlotte's restaurant next to the man; her back facing the bar and her elbows resting on the counter edge.
"You've been cradling that True Blood all day, and only took a sip," she said to him.
"I've seen you put 'em down faster than anyone I know, something up?"
Her serving tray still in her hand, she tilted her head as she attempted to make eye contact with the young man.
Keeping his head down, the man lifted his hand and waved it in a "no" motion.
A concerned look came across Jessica's face, as her eyebrows wrinkled. She slid her fingers across her forehead, clearing a lock of bright red hair from her face.
"It's a bit slow right now, an' Sam's in too good a mood to yell at me tonight, I can stay and talk for a second."
Although Jessica looked at him, his gaze did not leave the table. Jessica straightened her white 'Merlotte's' shirt and grabbed her tray as she stood up to leave.
"Well, if you're not gonna talk I—"
"You ever had to do something that you knew was going to put your life at risk but you did it anyway?" The man said cutting her off.
"I don't know… yea, I guess" Jessica stuttered. "I mean one time my friends and I—"
"Jessica," the man said cutting her off again.
"Give me your hand."
Jessica placed her server tray on the counter and gave her hand to the man.
"You have been a good friend to me. If anything happens to me I want you to keep this to remember me by."
The man placed an object in her hand and closed it before she got to see.
"Wait, where are you going, what are you doing?" Jessica's eyes darted back and forth searching for an answer.
Immediately the man got up and made his way to the door.
Arlene Fowler Bellefleur walked over to Jessica.
"Well, what's eatin' him?" she asked.
Before Jessica could answer Lafayette Reynolds came dashing over to the two ladies.
"Where's he going?!" Lafayette asked.
Jessica's silent worried look to Lafayette gave him all he needed to know.
"Hooker you ain't try an' stop him? Lawd he feelin' to get himself killed." Lafayette said.
Sookie Stackhouse walked into Merlotte's Restaraunt a few minutes later.
"Is Sam here?" She asked. "I still haven't picked up my check."
Lafayette placed his hands on Sookie's shoulders and lowered his head to level hers.
"Girlfriend, there's a bigger problem goin' on here."
Jessica and Lafayette explained what was going on to Sookie, with Arlene overhearing.
"I have to stop him!" Sookie said immediately running outside.
"You better come back alive!" Arlene yelled to Sookie as she was leaving.
"I'm not covering any of your shifts if you don't!"
Jessica rolled her eyes at Arlene and walked off to return to her tables.
Sam Merlotte approached Lafayette.
"Is everything okay? Sookie told me she was coming by to get her check; I just saw her storm off," Sam said.
"Is anything ever okay in this crazy ass town?" Lafayette said before tying his apron and heading back into the kitchen.
As Jessica went to the cash register to get the bill for her table, she looked down at her hand at the object the young man gave her before leaving. The object in her hand was a small cross; she held it tightly and put it in her pocket.