This is a rewrite of my orginal Chapter 1 and 2.
I had been in Louisiana for about a week and was still not used to the humidity, it felt like I was swimming on land, and I had thought Virginia was muggy. 'Why did I decide to move here again? Oh, that's right.' I thought looking at the legal documents some lawyer dropped off at my apartment in Staunton a couple weeks ago. I whipped away the sweat pooling at the back of my neck and I was damn glad I had chopped most of my hair off before my move. What once was long and ebony was now a short, choppy pixy cut, tinted deep red, and had a mind of its own.
I finally finished unpacking the last box to the house. A house I had mysteriously inherited from sort of distant aunt, I am not sure from which side of the family, my folks didn't mention our relatives much. I sat down on the love seat next to the bay window alcove and looked up at the sky. I had to admit it was peaceful here. Sighing I stood up and began to collect the empty moving boxing scattered around the house for the recycling. Folding the last box up I made my way to the front door with only just the screen door to deal with; I was able to maneuver out to the porch with little difficulty. Though the stairs seemed to pose a problem.
"Would you like some help?" Came a female voice with a strong southern accent. It startled me making me drop some of the boxes. "Gosh I am so sorry I did not mean to scare ya." Turning to the lawn I saw a petite woman, with a huge smile, along with high blonde ponytail. She wore what I made out to be some sort of white uniform t-shirt, with green shorts, and a pair of worn white chucks. The woman ran up the walkway to the steps to pick up the fallen boxes. "I'm Sookie! Sookie Stackhouse. I was walking home when I saw a moving van leave. I live just up the road about ten minutes from here right past the cemetery. I didn't thing the place would sell. The Blanchard's haven't been in this house since Mrs. May passed last winter. She and Gran would play bridge the second Sunday of the month for as long as I could remember. And she made the best peach pie, next to my Gran's of course."
'My God she can ramble.' I just stared at this woman, Sookie, who could put an auctioneer to shame. 'And damn she was perky.'
"Where are my manners?" She exclaimed. "I am just sitting here babbling away and haven't even given you a chance to speak. Gran would be so angry with me!" I waited a good five seconds to make sure she wouldn't start up again.
"I'm Emilia Blanchard, but most people call me Emily or just Em." I finally introduced myself as I lead her around the side of the house to the recycling. "I inherited the house from my aunt."
"I didn't know May and Leon had siblings." Sookie said off handily as she dumped the flattened boxes into the bin.
"I didn't know I had an aunt and uncle until a few months ago." I said tossing the boxes. "My parents weren't big in extended family… never really talked about anyone, and when I would ask, they either ignored me or changed the subject all together."
"Where are your folks now? Do they know you're here?" She asked as we walked back to the porch steps.
Sitting down I sighed. "No, they died a few years ago when I was seventeen. Some sort of robbery gone wrong one night. "That's what the police told me at least. I've been on my own ever since." Leaning back, I stretched my pale legs out from under the shade of the roof. My dark wash jean shorts, worn from years of wear, dusty from the move. "I hadn't moved from the apartment we lived, and I guess that's how the lawyer was able to find me."
Sookie stared at me for a long moment before she spoke again. "Have you been to Merlotte's yet?" She asked.
"No. I just got here I barely know where anything is yet." I answered.
"Well! Em I would like to treat you to dinner tonight as a welcome to Bon Temps. And I won't take no for an answer!" Sookie proclaimed standing up and brushing some dirt of her shorts. "There aren't many of us on this road and being new and all it'd be nice to have some friends. I'll see you around five!" And with that she was off down the road before I could even protest.
"Well damn! She sure can talk." Getting up from my seat I went in the house to take a short nap before five. "At least I don't have to worry about dinner tonight." I got up from my spot and made way back inside to shower.
When I finished my shower, I went to the antique dresser that was left behind by Aunt May and pulled out some clothes. A dark blue light weight shirt with black lace sleeves, it had a sweetheart neckline. I also chose a pair of old jeans that had seen better days; there was a large hole 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. I did not have much furniture, but the house did come with a lot; however, it was all old and worn. Something I knew I could keep, but others I knew I had to toss to the curb. I needed a new couch; this one was lumpy and stained from years of use and it was not quite my style either. The floor also could be redone it bowed and creaked when walked across. 'Though some of the art could stay.' Finally, being able to stop and get a good look at the paintings and photos on the wall. "I guess we shared a love of art." I whispered offhandedly to myself while inspection a painting that hung over the mantel of the fireplace. It was a painting of a snowscape, it was a night scene but, it was still full of light: the moon shown high in the sky and was accompanied by a beautiful aura borealis filled with wild greens and purples. I was drawn from my viewing 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 earlier in the afternoon; only this time she was in 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 went back to the living room to grab my things off the coffee table then returned to the door.
"We can walk or take my car. Whichever is fine with me?" She smiled while almost bouncing down the stairs pointing to her yellow Honda Civic.
"It's kind a nice out, I think a walk would be good." I said shrugging my shoulders tilting my head to the side. "I assume it's not too far."
"Okay, yeah it's about a twenty-minute stroll with a short cut." Sooke began to lead the way down the road. "So, tell me a little about yourself. I've lived here my whole life and I don't think I've seen any family visit Mrs. May and Roy."
"Uh, well I was born in Virginia in small town, went to school, I wasn't very popular. After my parents died, I put myself through college waitressing and odd jobs here and there. I got a call from some lawyer about this place about a month after graduation." I told her the cliff-notes version not ready to get down to the nitty gritty of my life with her.
"What did you major in?"
"Art with a minor in museum studies. I know it's not a very lucrative major but, my parents supported my art and I know they would have wanted me to study something I loved. "What about you?"
"Oh, well I've lived in Bon Temps my whole with my brother Jason, you may see him tonight, and I also live with my Gran. She has taken care of me and my brother since we were little. Our parents died in a car accident when I was young." She paused I could hear a slight falter in her voice. "Oh, I've worked at Merlotte's, where we're going, for a couple of years now. Sam, the owner, is really nice always helping out where he can." Sookie rattled on about some of the other coworkers as she led us through the 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 "Eh, I don't care either way… but I'm like that with most people. I tend not to get too close to most people."
"OH! Well, that is just great! You see my boyfriend is a vampire, well he isn't really my boyfriend, I mean we only just started to date. His name is Bill by the way, Bill Compton. Oh, and he is such a gentleman!" She gushed and I started to tune her out. Nothing against her but, I was not really interested in hearing her fawn over someone. "Em… Em… Emilia! We're here." Sookie was waving a hand in front of my face "Are you okay? You kind of went away there for a bit."
"Sorry, sorry." I apologized for letting my 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 itself was a rich hunter green along with some nice windows that were opened to let in the evening summer breeze in. There was an expanse of shrubs that were a little overgrown planted just below the open windows. The parking lot if you could call it that, it was more like a dirt field with some railroad 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 stagecoach 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 would 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 were 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 nice of Mrs. May." Sooke explained to Arlene.
"I didn't know they had any family left." 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."
"Iced tea please. Em?"
"Uh Diet Coke would be fine… Lots of ice if you can."
"Coming right up. Oh, here are your menus, Sookie knows everything on there and probably could tell you everything in it. I'll be back in few with your drinks and to see if you're ready to order."
"So how do you like Bon Temps so far?" Sookie asked while putting down her menu.
"It's nice. Pretty damn hot though; I thought Virginia was bad." I told her.
"I know it is ridicules how hot it gets but, it really doesn't get much worse than this. 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 store, and the Sheriff's department to deal with my license and some other paperwork." I explained reading the menu. It was pretty much your classic dive bar; burgers, fries, fish nothing special but, nothing too bland either.
"Well, I'll have to show you around town sometime then."
"Hey Sook." I heard a male voice drawl. 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 kind of 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 into the Blanchard house. It turns out that she is Mrs. May's niece. 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." Giving me a wink.
I smiled in return. 'Man, people in this town sure are friendly and a little too flirty.'
"Here are your drinks." Arlene returned placing our drinks on the table. "So, what will ya'll be having? Your usual, Sook?" She scribbled something down on the pad after she got an affirmative nod from Sookie; Then turned to me "And for you darling?"
"Uh I'll have the cheeseburger, with mayo and the seasoned fries."
"Alright, I'll get Lafayette right on that." She took our menus and replaced them with silverware rolled in cloth napkins.
Sookie suddenly 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 was very stiff almost like standing up at attention. "Bill this in my friend Emilia Blanchard."
"Good evening Miss. 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, Bill returned her smile
Shortly after they sat back down Arlene returned with the food and had new expression on her face. She did not seem pleased with our new addition to the table. "Here's yawls food. Vampire Bill, Tru Blood? I'll be back with that and refills." She all most forced out.
"Arlene. Much obliged thank you." Bill bowed his head to acknowledge her; before she practically ran back to the bar.
'Hmm she must not be too keen on the vampire movement' I thought as I looked down at my food it looked good. Especially sense I had nothing to eat since breakfast. I am glad Bill showed up: it stole all Sookie's attention from me. I was not up for more questions tonight; So, I just sat quietly, ate my food, and listened to Sookie talk to Bill about everything and anything.