Complete re-write! I started this story over a year ago with intentions of making a multi-chapter fic, but a lot of life got in the way. I have so much more time to write now, so hopefully I can get on track. I decided to scrub the little I had written and make a fresh start. This is a Rizzles AU inspired by Fried Green Tomatoes. Many scenes will be similar to FGT, but some will not be. Will eventually be rated M. I wrote this quickly so please pardon the mistakes. I also tried to write dialogue in the Southern voice to fit the setting, so please know there will be double negatives and words that end with -in'. Let me know what you think and I'll update in the next couple of days.
SW
The sprawling plantation was quite frequently busy at any given time, but on this day, however, the chaos was bordering on uncontrolled. People darted in and out of rooms. Doors open and swung so much their hinges were nearly smoking. The wraparound porch and backyard were draped with flowers and taffeta. This wedding had been on the calendar for months, and just about the whole town was expected to show up after the ceremony which was now less than an hour away. Everyone was either preparing the grounds or preparing themselves. Everyone except Jane.
"Aunt Angela, Jane is still not dressed!" Sophia cried out to her passing aunt. "We are supposed to be at the church in thirty minutes, and I just saw her running around the yard in Frankie's old clothes. She's going to ruin my wedding!" Sophia would have been a beautiful bride had her face not shown her current anxiety about her cousin. Tears of frustration threatened to spill down her made-up cheeks.
Angela stopped her last-minute preparations for a moment to placate her niece. She reached out to place a reassuring pat on her arm. "Don't worry honey. I'll have Frankie round her up and get her ready. You just go on and finish makin' your hair look all nice, okay?" She glanced up at Sophia's black hair, most of which was still rolled tightly into curlers.
Sophia didn't look convinced but nodded in agreement anyway while she hurried off to finish her hair. Meanwhile, Angela walked to look out of the back door to see if Frankie was outside-she suspected she'd find all of the men, avoiding the boisterousness of the inside of the house. Her suspicions were confirmed when she saw all of them circled up just off of the porch, smoking cigars and taking quick swigs from the flasks in their coat pockets. Frankie was among them, albeit without cigar or flask. She cracked the door open just far enough to yell, "Frankie? Can you come here for a second please?"
Frankie turned around at his name and then walked up the stairs of the porch to greet his mother. "Whatcha need, Ma?" he asked when he got to the door.
Angela sighed. "Your sister. She's runnin' around when she should already be dressed. Can you please make sure she's downstairs and presentable in fifteen minutes? We gotta leave soon, and she won't hardly listen to nobody but you." Angela looked exasperated.
Frankie gave a little smirk. Of course Jane wouldn't be ready yet. It'd be easier to coerce a wild hog into a dress than Jane. Especially since Frankie saw the outfit his sister was supposed to wear-it involved a bunch of lace and pink. He knew this wouldn't be easy but obliged his mother anyway. "Sure, Ma. I'll go try'n help her."
Angela looked relieved that this was no longer her responsibility. She leaned in and gave her oldest son a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, Frankie. Okay, I gotta go help Carla in the kitchen." She didn't wait around to hear Frankie reply, as she was already rushing away to make sure her sister hadn't caught the stove on fire in her absence.
Frankie had a sneaking suspicion where Jane might be. He walked back outside, down the stairs, and around the side of the house. In front of him was a large, imposing oak tree with a wooden platform nestled, about fifteen feet off the ground, in the center of it. Wooden planks were nailed horizontally across the trunk, posing as the ladder. Frankie climbed them quickly, having scaled this tree more times than he could ever count. When he poked his head through the opening at the bottom of the platform, a voice called out.
"Go away, Frankie." Frankie hoisted himself up onto the platform anyway to face the owner of the voice.
Jane was sitting on a makeshift bench to one side of the platform. She had her arms crossed over her dirty t-shirt. Her black curls were flying in every direction but coiffed.
Frankie just smiled down at her little sister. "Now, now Jane. Is that any way to treat your handsome, kind big brother?" Frankie clutched his hand to his chest in mock offense.
Jane just scowled harder at him, crossing her arms tighter. Frankie ignored her and sat down on the opposite end of the bench. She stared off in front of her, not giving Frankie the satisfaction of acknowledging him.
Frankie continued anyway. "Janie,-"
Jane growled and cut him off. "Don't call me Janie," she said through clenched teeth.
Frankie acquiesced. "Fine. Jane, come on now. I know you don't wanna wear that dress any more than I wanna wear this tie." He pulled at the offending garment around his neck. "But, this is Sophia's big day, and you only gotta wear that dress for a few minutes. Then, you can go right back to these." He gestured at her outfit which used to be his.
Jane still looked disgruntled, so Frankie tried a different tactic.
"If you'll promise me that you'll change into your wedding outfit, I'll tell you a new story tonight," Frankie said conspiratorially. He knew how much Jane liked his stories, even if sometimes she acted like she didn't.
Jane looked over and him with an appraising glance. She finally said hesitantly, "A new one?" Frankie nodded.
"Yep! Never heard before. And you can be the first to hear it later."
Jane looked like she was considering her options when she finally jumped up off the bench. "Fine, Frankie. I'll go put on that dumb dress but I'm not wearing the socks. And you owe me one story. Promise?" She spit into her hand and held it out, waiting for him to do the same.
Frankie spit into his right hand and grabbed Jane's with his own. "Promise. Now go on and get ready before Ma skins both our hides." He watched Jane climb halfway down the later before jumping the rest of the way. He just shook his head and went down behind her.
