Gran's funeral was as grand as we could afford. It was held under a glittering summer sky. My grandmother was buried beside my parents in our family plot. It was located in the cemetery between Compton's house and Gran's. Jason stood beside me, we didn't touch, let alone talk. Thankfully he kept his hands to himself. As the day went on, I felt something inside me detach and fly away.

The house and the twenty acres surrounding it were mine, so were the mineral rights. Gran had divided her money between us and stipulated that I'd give Jason full rights to our parents' home if I wanted to keep hers. That was easy enough to do. After, Jason and I stood by the dining room table as we greeted the mourners. The bruise on my cheek blaring but everyone tried their best to ignore it.

A woman I didn't know the name of was telling us how sorry she was and how much she hopes we get through this. I tuned out until she asked where uncle Bartlett was, she wanted to know why he wasn't here at his sister's funeral. Jason stated that he should at least know.

I glared daggers at him. He didn't finish his sentence and she walked off. I'm already sick and tired of all these strangers asking questions and touching things that don't belong to them.

It was a week till I showed my face to the world. I had grieved on my own. I unplugged the phones and shut all the blinds in the house. I never cared for how hot it got or for the smell of my own body.

I cried, screamed, broke things, and cried some more. Bill came by every night to make sure I was still alive never entering, just standing outside listening. I think he was also making sure no one came to harm me.

On the last day, I had decided that enough was enough. I called Tara and asked her to come over and help me clean the house. Once she saw the state it was in she told me to go lay down.

She called Lafayette, He came and helped her clean from top to bottom. I took an edible and passed out, once I awoke the smell of a hot meal was screaming my name.

Though Lafayette told me to get my stinky ass in the shower before I gave his food bad juju. During our meal, we didn't speak instead choosing to listen to Gran's favorite albums as tribute.

Like clockwork, once night fell Bill came over and sat on the porch. I was still in a good mood, so I opened the door to greet him wearing my ratty old pajamas and frizzy hair.

Bill seemed to be holding back a chuckle or two as he took in my disarray. We sat in silence under the moon as he played with a few of my curls. He stood up, took me by the hand, and led me inside the house. Once we reached the old table in the kitchen, he sat me down in a chair

"I want to fix this mess you've made of your hair." His voice was quiet but silky smooth.

I pointed to the bathroom and told him the supplies to get so he could do just that.I wet my hair for him while he grabbed the wide-tooth comb, detangler, hair creams, and many assorted items needed.

Bill appeared to be dumbfounded with how to use any of those products except for the comb of course. I happily obliged to explain every item and its uses.

" I thought my sister had been high maintenance when she was alive, but I'm starting to think she was quite the simple lady."

"What was her name?" I asked containing my chuckles.

" Her name was Sarah, she didn't have as much hair as you, but a hefty amount. My mother would have me do this for her at night." He told me more stories of his siblings and family, as he tried his best to tame the wild cinders of my hair.

"My mother lost two in childbirth, I lost my brother, Robert, when he was twelve and I was eleven. He caught a fever, and it killed him...

Sarah survived the war, she and my mother, although my father died just after I left for service. He perished from what I've come to learn is a stroke. My wife was living with my family then, and my children..."He detailed this information slowly as if he was trying to remember.

I didn't know what to say, so I stayed quiet. We moved to the couch once he had finished with my locks that were now secured on top of my head in a bun. He held me in the silence.

"He hit me. My brother hit me. He's never done that before. I didn't even react! I tried reading his thoughts... they were all jumbled up. She's gone. I still can't believe it. I mean, I found her! But every day I wake up and for a second I think,'I wonder if Grans cooking.' She was the matriarch, you know?

The glue that held us all together. You see. Jason, Tara, and I were all raised by her. Lafayette was too, he was older but she got him together. I can't believe she's really gone."

The tears washed over me. I planted my face deep into Bill's chest. We stayed that way for as long as I could remember. His hand gently rubbed circles on my back. He began to hum. I wasn't familiar with the song but it was beautiful.

"You were protecting me? Why?"

"I know you didn't do it! And I, I care about you. You're not just some... I don't know."

"I care for you too." I lifted my eyes to meet his and placed a small kiss. I was yearning for something. He knew what I was doing and gently placed a kiss on my cheek. He coughed and shifted my body off his lap.

"Now, darling. I don't want to give you the wrong idea. I'd love to. But not now, not after all you've been through. It wouldn't be right."

"Bill I'm not a child."

"No, you are not. But you're in pain. I can't, it would be taking advantage of your emotional state. If you can't relax, I'll see you in the morning."

I took a deep breath and nodded my head. He held me like that until the sky started to brighten. The sun's rays had yet to break through. He kissed me and left.

I rose for work. I'm not sure how long I stayed on that couch after Bill left, but each muscle in my body protested.

I was used to it. Standing on my feet all day didn't help. That afternoon was the first time I saw Jason since the funeral. He was sitting at the bar drinking, it was strange because he never drinks during a workday. I kept my mouth shut about it. Once I finally dared to speak to my surprise he spoke back.

"I'm sorry! I was wrong, so wrong. There is no excuse for hitting you, Sissi, It wasn't your fault! Not now and certainly not then."

"Thank you, you feeling alright?"

"No! I don't know what I'm gonna do."

He told me about his week. He had been called into the station to answer questions about Maudette and Dawn so much that his boss was at his wit's end.

" Jason. You don't answer not one more question, you hear me. We need a lawyer!"

"Like we can afford one! Besides, who can we get? Not Andy's sister! "

"What about Sid Matt Lancaster? He has the reputation for being the most aggressive trial lawyer in town. "

"I'll call him. That still doesn't answer how we're gonna pay for all this. Between the house and the funeral, we're broke."

Just as I started to speak, that damn Bellefleur walked in. He looked determined and ready, he was trying to arrest my brother in front of everyone. Jason wasn't having it, he was struggling and trying to fight. It almost brought me to tears, I felt them burning behind my eyes.

"Jason, please don't fight, you don't say anything okay! I'm gonna call a lawyer today!"

Detective Bellefleur placed him under arrest, at that moment I could feel everyone's eyes burning holes into my flesh. I went into the back office and slide down the wall. I was able to hold back the sobs. I couldn't take much more of this shit.

I couldn't leave that night, I'm sure Sam would have let me if I asked. Now more than ever I needed every cent if I was going to pay for a lawyer. And let me tell you, Sid Lancaster was no cheap attorney!

That whole day felt like I was carrying boulders attached to my legs, my attitude wasn't any better. Most people just kept quiet and didn't speak too much except to order.

Arlene was a barmaid as well, she had bright red hair and was taller than me with two kids and the baggage of four different failed marriages.

I watch her children sometimes, she was a sweetheart but could also be quite judgmental. She was dating Rene the Cajun accented resident, he worked with Jason.

It was just him and his sister, although she had moved away to a bigger city a few years ago. Jason and Rene were close but Hoyte Fortenberry was his best friend.

Arlene and Rene both were in the bar that night, she just kept wanting to tell me how sorry she was. Thankfully she knew better than to bring any more attention to the matter.

Renè on the other hand when he saw me, gave me the biggest hug and expressed how he knew that Jason wasn't the one that hurt Dawn or Maudette.

I've tried to get a read on him in the past. I never could, his feelings though I could always read those. I usually got a lot of soothing vibes from him.

That night I wasn't ok. I immediately drove over to Bill's place, I started freaking out on the porch. I was banging on his door like I was Bellefleur himself.

The fire was off Bill, but Jason was roasting like a pig with a juicy apple resting in its mouth. Bill swung the door open with worry. I sprang into his arms and burst into tears unable to hold them any longer.

My world had flipped on its head and ripped at the seams. He just held me, letting me get all the pent-up emotion out in the open. He led me to the couch and once I finished crying, I finally spoke.

"They arrested Jason today. He's been with both Dawn and Maudette, they have a sex tape showing Jason having rough sex.

All-day I've heard people talking about how they just knew it was him, and how he's white trash. I couldn't even leave or get angry I just..." he pulled me into his chest and stroked my hair.

"I need to get a lawyer, but I don't even know how I'll afford one after grans' funeral. We spent most of her savings to make sure it was what she deserved."

Bill got up and ran upstairs, I could hear him rummaging around. He returned with a small shoebox.

"Don't thank me just take it"I opened the box, inside were stacks of money. My pride flared.

"No! I can't accept this. I appreciate the thought, but I don't know you like that and frankly, I don't like..."

"But you know me well enough to want a romp in the hay? Sissi, just take the damn money and stop being so prideful. I just want to help you. I have more than enough money..." I just shook my head and gave it back to him.

"Well if you won't take it from me, what if you did a favor and it was payment for that?"

"What type of favor?"

Instead of replying he took me by the hand. The box was safely placed on the table. He led me outside and into his BMW. We pulled up to Fangtasia and I knew I wasn't going to like it but I had no real choice. I refuse to be a charity case.

We were in the back with a lot of luxury cars. I just realized that I have been hanging around people from a different tax bracket than me.

Bill reached up and knocked on the backdoor, it was three spaced-out raps onto the metal. Pam, the blonde vampire that kicked the shit out of that man the last time I was here. She stood out of the way and let us enter. Once fully in she let the door swing shut with a bang.

Eric was standing behind a middle-aged human with plain looks. That man was sweating bullets and trying so hard to stay calm. While Longshadow, the Native American vampire was standing over off to the side. Bill bowed to Eric, Eric was the first to speak to me.

" Sissi, you remember Longshadow and Pam...well, this is Bruce." I looked all around the room, I made up my mind real quick and I told Eric upfront my conditions.

"I assume I'm here for a reason. One I'm sure I won't like. So, if I'm to do this favor id like to be paid." Long shadow laughed outright and shook his head.

" You sure have heavy stones human... "I ignored his tone and spoke to Eric who was obviously the one in charge.

"Look I understand you probably aren't used to someone like me. Let alone paying a human for something that I'm sure you can handle yourself.

I also know that If he has anything to do with why I'm here, he could be dead in a ditch somewhere. Although, you just recently got raided and that means you have cops on your ass.

So, you must work within the parameters of the law. I have a service you need, so supply and demand would grant me what I ask for."

Eric looked on with pride, but I could tell he was livid on the inside. He pointed his finger at me in a 'you got me there' fashion then said in a low even tone.

" How does ten thousand sound?"

That would only cover a portion of the lawyer fees, let alone if this went to trial or I needed bail money, so I decided to push my luck a bit.

"twenty." I knew I probably wouldn't get that, but I might get fifteen.

Eric squinted at me and told me that I was testing his patience, but he agreed to my surprise. He told Pam to go fill out a check for me and once it was in my hand we went on with the process.

Apparently, sixty thousand dollars had been embezzled from his business. I guess Eric needed it back so badly that he was willing to give me twenty. I touched the pudgy man's sweaty palms in disgust. I decided it would be best if I switched to holding his wrist.

"Bruce, did you take that money?"

~ No, stupid bitch what is she doing? How is she going to help them, is she one? Shit, I think I'm going to throw up. ~

I took my hands from his wrist and moved them to his temples.

"focus, I'm trying to help you," I said calmly. He managed to do that, his green eyes glazed over. I finally got my answer.

"He didn't do it and doesn't know who did."

The next person they paraded into the room had been a trashy-looking barmaid named Ginger. She had scraggly blonde hair and was wearing a short lime green dress with black pumps. She fluttered her eyelashes and said.

"Hey, sweetie."

It was directed to Eric and his response was to tell her to sit down and answer my questions. Once she sat, I touched her wrist but she jerked her arm back from me and got snooty.

Pam held her in place, her perfectly manicured fingernails dug into her shoulders. Ginger tried to struggle but wasn't getting too far. So she just stopped and let me touch her.

"Ginger, do you know what happened to the stolen money?"

She cursed me and struggled again but that didn't deter. I was already searching her brain. What I found was that she knew who stole the money but couldn't say the name or even what they looked like.

Her memories were all cloudy and full of holes. So, I pulled away from her and relayed the information to Eric. Next thing I know Longshadow had jumped towards me in a blur!

We landed on the table, he held my throat in his clenched meaty fists. I put my hands on his face. My Light glowed much brighter than ever before, he screamed out in pain. I watched as his eyes melted from the sockets.

His hands went up to cup his face, so I took that time to break a pool stick and slam it deep into his chest. His body exploded, blood and flesh covered anyone nearby.

Ginger's scream filled the room and I threw the rest of the stick to the ground. I left to look for a bathroom to throw up and hopefully fix the mess of my work uniform. Pam followed after me, she was silent until I looked at her from the mirror.

"Eric ordered me to help you with your clothes. Just a tip, id be careful. If you become a problem instead of an asset he won't hesitate to kill you." I just started laughing to keep from crying, I think she could tell.

" I'll take care of your clothes and bring you some replacements. I'll see if I can't get all that blood out. Oh, looky there you've got a finger in your bra." She plucked it right out and closed the door behind her.

Once I dared to brave an audience again. I opened the door to find a black sweatshirt and some yoga pants. I smiled and went to look for Pam and give her my clothes.

I found Eric instead, He motioned for me to come over. Once I reached him he took the clothes from my hands and made a proposition for me.

"If you work for me. Just doing odd jobs like tonight, I'll keep you on retainer and pay you handsomely." Bill must have talked to him, I really needed the money so I agreed.

"You aren't just telepathic." It wasn't a question but a statement.

" I don't know what I am, but I've been this way since I was young. I developed more of...,these abilities as I aged." Eric kept quiet and told me he would ship my clothes to Bill if they could be cleaned, then walked away.

I chose to keep the peace but Bill was worried about me. so I assuaged his fears and fell asleep in the passenger side of the nice black BMW. I awoke in my bed, Bill was stroking my hair just like the night before.

The moon shone through the window, I started to sing a lullaby. It was one I didn't know how I knew but it made me feel safe. Bill rubbed my back as I sang in a quiet soft voice to the moon. My eyes fluttered shut again, my dreams consisted of the moon and stars whispering stories to me.