Chapter 10: Eric's New Day Guy

Mags had set Eric up with a new day guy the night of Bobby's trial. Leo was turning out to be a great guy. He knew the area like the back of his hand and quickly learned what Eric liked. Leo was sitting at my kitchen table as I made lunch for us, telling me the story of how he first meet Mags.

"She was nothin' like I ever seen before, Sookie," he smiled. "Her hair was pulled back and she looked like she come off a page of a vintage Vogue magazine. Lawd, my sister just about had a conniption when she saw the dress." Leo laughed as he pulled out a picture.

I looked at it and smiled at the image. Mags was in a fifties style dress that looked right off the show of 'Mad Men', but knowing Mags, it was the real deal. She was standing next to another woman that resembled Leo in the face wearing something similar. There were other people in the back ground in costumes and I chuckled as I handed the picture back to Leo.

"Tia thought she would be the only one there that would be in something that style for the costume party. Mags was in good humor and enjoyed herself. Tia always knew there was something different about Mags," sighed Leo. "I really don't think Tia would have been surprised to have found out that Mags was a vampire. Let alone that vampires existed."

"What happened to her?" I asked.

"At the time, we didn't know," said Leo as he sobered up. "Mags believes now that a vampire got to her and drained her and threw her in the bayou."

"I'm sorry, Leo," I said as I patted his hand as I set down a plate in front of him.

"Ahh, it's been so long and she wasn't the healthiest when she died."

I set my plate down and looked at him while I sat down.

"Tia was sick. Not just physically sick. She wasn't quite right in the head. She would say that people changed into giant wolves or that she saw fairies. At the time, mama thought she was insane and had her institutionalizes. Now, knowing what I know now, I don't think Tia should have been for just that. She would have these fits and wouldn't calm down from them for hours. It was a bad time but she seemed alright after meeting Mags."

"What do you mean?"

"Mags seemed to calm her down. I don't know how but she did. Tia was better and we took her out of the institute. One day she was walking home from one of our neighbors and didn't return. Her body was found a few weeks later. By that time, animals had chewed on her and there was no way of knowing what the cause of death was."

"I'm sorry, Leo."

"I have accepted it. Tia would have needed care her entire life. This way I can remember her the way she was towards the end," smiled Leo. "And that was a good time for her."

We fell into a comfortable silence while we ate. Leo was going through all the memories he had of his sister Tia and I smiled as they reminded me of what Jason and I were like growing up. I cleaned up our plates and smiled at Leo.

"When vampires came out of the coffin, I was surprised. But then I thought about it and started to wonder what else was out there. It has been a strange trip but I accept it now."

"I can understand that. So, what else does Eric have you doing today?"

"I have to pick up some dry cleaning and a few other items. I best be going. Thank you for lunch, Sookie," smiled Leo as he left. I smiled and watched him go out my back door. Leo was much better than Bobbie was. Eric was so impressed by him that he took on Mags' idea and kept him and set him up with a retirement fund. It really was working out for all of us.

I was working the late shift tonight so I decided to rest a bit and pick up a book the Mags lent me last time I saw her. I was amused when I read the cover and looked skeptically at Mags.

"Trust me, Sookie," smiled Mags. "You will like these books. It is a very different twist that I enjoy."

"If you say so, Mags. But really? A book series about vampires?"

"Yep. Try the first few chapters and then see me about the other books."

I opened the book and started to read as I was waiting for Eric that night to come out of a meeting with all of the other Sheriff's. By the time the meeting was over I rolled my eyes as Mags handed me the rest of the book series as she laughed.

"Told ya."

"Yeah, yeah," I grumbled as I took the bag and placed the other book with them. I didn't know how long I sat there but I was just under half way into the book.

And now I was on the last book in the series that was published and wondering how that was possible. I had to agree with Mags, it was an interesting twist on vampires and I wondered how the world would have reacted if vampires were like the ones in the books. I looked at the clock and decided to get ready to go in tonight.

A/N: Oh holy Hannah! My apologies to all of you. I went into a dry spell and life got insane. I am back and I will hopefully keep going till I have reached the end of my thought trail for this story.