When I finished my shower, I went to the antique dresser that was left behind by grandma May and pulled out some clothes. A dark blue light weight shirt with black lace sleeves, it had a sweetheart neckline and fitted my hour glass waist line nicely. I also chose a pair of old jeans that had seen better days; there was large whole on the right knee and I had walked the backs off long ago. Deciding on a pair of red worn out Converse I made my way out of my bedroom and down to the first floor. Stopping at the mirror that hung over the credenza I looked at my hair tousled it around some then moved into the living room that was right next to the table. I didn't have much furniture but the house came with a lot; however it was all old and worn. I definitely needed a new couch it was lumpy and stained from years of use and it wasn't quite my style either. The floor also needed to be redone it was bowing and creaked a lot when walked across. 'Though some of the art could stay' I thought finally being able to look at the paintings and photos on the fall. "I guess this is where I get my love for art." I said inspecting a painting that hung over the mantel of the fire. It was a painting of marsh land, it was night but still was full of light: the moon shown high in the sky was reflected in the swamp water. There was also a vast array of stars that almost seemed to glimmer. I was drawn from my thought when there was a knock at the door. 'Must be Sookie.'
Opening the door I was greeted with the same perky smile and high ponytail that I met this afternoon only this time she was in a pale yellow sundress that looked so fitting on her. "Hi! Are you ready to go?"
"Uh-yeah just let me grab my phone and wallet." Leaving her at the door I ran to the living room and grabbed my things off the coffee table then returned to the door.
"We can walk or take my car. Whichever is fine?" She smiled while almost bouncing down the stairs pointing to her yellow Honda Civic.
"Umm it's kinda nice out, I think a walk would be good." I said shrugging my shoulders tilting my head to side.
"Ok, it's just about a twenty minute walk with a short cut." She began to lead the way down the road. "So tell me a little about yourself."
"Uh, well I was born in Virginia in a small town, went to school, I wasn't very popular. After my parents died I put myself through college waitressing, and pretty much got the call from some lawyer about this place about a month after graduation." I told her not really feeling up to details quite yet. I had a complicated childhood. "What about you?"
"Oh I've lived in Bon Temps my whole life with my brother Jason, you may see him tonight, and I also live with my Gran. She's taken care of me since I was little. My folks died in a car accident when I was young. Oh I've worked at Merlotte's for a couple of years now." Sookie rattled on about some of the towns folk as she lead us though a short cut in the woods that had a distinctly worn path. "Ah, I do have another question. How do you feel about vampires? We have a few around here. They're really nice for the most part, like most people."
Shrugging my shoulders "Ehh, I don't care either way for them… but I'm like that with most people. I tend not to get too close to people. Bad history with some people." A part of me hopes she won't press that subject.
"OH! Well that's great! You see my boyfriend is a vampire… well he's not really my boyfriend, I mean, we only just started date. His name is Bill by the way, Bill Compton. Oh, and he is such a gentleman!" I started to tune her out at this point. Nothing against her really but I was more interested in the scenery around us. It was at least pretty here. Home was pretty too but not like this. Everything was so green and flourishing and full of life. "Em…Em! We're here." Sookie was waving a hand in front of my face.
"Sorry." I apologize for letting my mind wonder too much. I looked at the building before me. It was quaint to say the least: there was a large square green sign, that could use a fresh coat of paint, on the roof with "Merlotte's" written in with script with golden "Bar and Grill" in metal lettering underneath. The building it's self was a rich hunter green along with some nice windows that were open to let in the evening summer breeze in. There was an expanse of shrubs that were a little over grown planted just below the open windows. The parking lot if you could call it that, it was more like a dirt field with some rail road ties marking spots to park was full of pick-ups along with one or two four door cars that were easily at least twenty years old. The interior of the bar was pretty much what I expected. Wooden stage coach wheels hung from the ceiling as rustic chandlers that illuminated to open bar in a soft somber light. The bar on the back wall directly across from the entrance fully stalked with spirts and brews on tap. The bar stools were nothing special they were something you'd find in any bar. To right when you walked in was the game room where some guys sporting baseball caps and beer bellies were playing pool. To the left were about five small round dining tables that had two to three chairs and against the bar wall and the wall next to the entrance rows of leather lined booths. Sookie lead us to one of the booths next a window. As we sat down we were greeted by a perky, though not nearly as perky as Sookie, waitress with fiery red hair sporting the same uniform when I first met Sookie.
"Hey Sookie! Who's your friend?" She asked while pulling a pen from behind her ear and order pad from her apron.
"Arlene this is Emilia Blanchard. Emilia, Arlene Fowler."
"You can call me Em." I said extending my hand.
"Nice to meet you." Arlene returned the gesture.
"Em just moved her from Virginia, she's the granddaughter of Mrs. May." Sookie explained to Arlene.
"I didn't know they had any children." Arlene gasped and leaned in a little to examine me more closely which caused me to lean back. "You do have May's eyes that's for sure." She said smiling while nodding her hand. "Well, Welcome to Bon Temps! I hope you like it here." She smiled warmly at me. "Any-who what can I get two to drink."
"Ice tea please. Em?"
"Uhh water would be fine… Lots of ice if you can."
"Coming right up. Oh, here are your menus. I'll be back in few minutes with your drinks to see if you're ready to order."
"So how do you like Bon Temps so far?" Sookie asked me while putting down her menu.
"It's nice. Pretty damn hot though." I told her with a slight bitterness toward the end of my statement.
"I know but this is probably as bad it's going to get. Have you done much sightseeing... I know we're not that big of a town but we have some really colorful characters here and a lot of scenery that's for sure."
"No I haven't really been anywhere but my home, the grocery, and the sheriff's department to deal with my license and some other paper work." I explained while reading the menu. It was pretty much your classic dive bar, burgers, fires, fish nothing special but nothing too bland either.
"Well I'll have to show you around town sometime."
"Hey Sook." I heard a male voice call out. I turned to see a not very tall man with a flannel shirt, worn out jeans, and wore what appeared to be a dusty pair of old cowboy boots approached our table. He was attractive kinda with the boy next door look going for him, a cute smile with equally cute dirty blond boy band hair. "Who's your lady friend?"
"This is Emilia she just moved in to the Blanchard house. It turns out that she's Mrs. May's granddaughter. Oh, Emilia this is Sam Merlotte he owns this bar, and he's my boss."
"Hello cher," He smiled at me. "Welcome to Bon Temps. I hope you like it here." Sam started to walk away but stopped and turned around. "Oh if you need anything like a handy man to help with that old house just give me a holler. See yawl around."
I smiled in return. 'Man, people in this town sure are friendly.'
"Here are your drinks." Arlene returned. "So what will ya be having? Your usual, Sook?" She scribbled something down on the pad, then turned to me "And for you darling?"
"Uhh I'll have the cheese burger, with mayo and seasoned fries."
"Alright, I'll get Lafayette right on that." She took our menus and replaced them with silverware rolled in cloth napkins.
All of a sudden Sookie had a huge smile on her face. "Bill's here! You have to meet him." She stood up and waved to Bill who was behind me. Turning around I saw a tall man with black hair, pale skin, and dark eyes. He had a somber look about him, but he was very stiff almost like standing up at attention. "Bill this is my friend Emilia Blanchard."
"Good Evening, Mrs. Blanchard." He articulated and took my hand and shock it. "I am William Compton but I go by Bill these days." He was very formal.
"Hi, you can just call me Emily or Em… whichever is fine with me." I returned his shake.
"Would you like to join us Bill." Sookie asked with extremely perky smile.
Shortly after they sat back down Arlene returned with the food and had new expression on her face. She did not seemed pleased with our new addition to the table. "Here's yawls food. Vampire Bill, Tru Blood. I'll be back with refills." She all most forced out.
"Arlene. Much obliged thank you." Bill bowed his head to acknowledge her.
'Hmm she must not be too keen on the vampire movement' I thought as I looked down at my food it looked really good. Especially sense I had nothing to eat since breakfast. I'm glad Bill showed up: it stole all of Sookie's attention from me. I wasn't really up for more questions tonight. So I just sat quietly, ate my food, and listened to Sookie talk to Bill about everything and anything.