I'm not sure how long I sat there staring at the two people in the photographs but all of a sudden there was a knock on the door and it made me jump out of my skin.
"Hello?"
"Sookie dear, don't you start work in ten minuets?" The familiar voice of Adele Stackhouse rang through the door. SHIT!
"Shoot. Um... thanks, for reminding me, I drifted off." I added, whipping my eyes. The door handle went and I found myself not wanting to see the woman who raised me for the last twenty one years.
"Sookie, have you added a new lock to your door? It's not opening? Are you okay? You sound like you've been crying?" Double fuck! And hu?
"No?" I say questioningly. Still holding onto the locket, I quickly get up and tie it around my neck as I rush to my dresser, grabbing my Merlotte's outfit and underwear out of my drawers. The locket came down to rest between my breasts the chain a perfect length. It hid perfectly from view under my Merlotte's uniform. I did double check in the mirror.
"It's still not letting me open dear."
"I've not done anything to it, I'm just getting dressed, I'll be gone in five any way." I tell her.
"Are you sure you're alright? You didn't go out like you normally do?" She was still rattling the handle.
"Yes, fine. It was cloudy, so no point if there's no sun." It was true enough after all.
"Okay dear, if you are sure you are okay, I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast."
"Yes, I'm fine. I really need to finish getting ready, so I can leave before I'm any later. Thanks for letting me know." There was a longish pause.
"Your welcome darling." Finally her foot falls sounded, and I found myself letting out a breath I did not even realise I was holding in.
I quickly put my tennis shoes on and already had a hair tie around my wrist so that was fine, grabbed my keys, closed my door and ran down the stairs; out of the house without a second thought. Too focused on getting to work, to notice anything or anyone else in that moment.
Putting my foot down on the gass I sped down the drive way to Merlotte's. I hated being late for work, I hardly ever was. It's a Saturday night too. I liked to be there at least fifteen minuets early to set things up and organise. I couldn't have chosen a worse night to be late for.
I made it to Merlotte's five minuets late. Greeted by an angry Arlene.
"Where the fuck have you been? I should have had my break five minuets ago. How selfish can you be?" They hypocritical bitch said. I thought about ignoring her, but decided against it, it's about time someone stood up to this pushy, hypocrite of a fake hair die red-head. I really wasn't in the mood.
"Oh for fuck sake Arlene. I'm late for my shift ONCE since I've started working here. How many times have you been late? How many fucking breaks do you need to take in one freaking shift? How often do you NOT turn up for work, not letting us know you AREN'T turning up and others have to cover your absent ass?" We where nose to nose now.
"Why you little..." She sounded shocked, someone had actually answered her back, stood up to her.
"Don't you fucking dare; I'm in no mood to deal with your shit tonight." I moved around her, ignoring the shocked stares that are little outburst gained. I'm half surprised Sam didn't come flying out of his hide-hole. He's usually pretty good with picking upon this kinda stuff. But I guess know fists where thrown this time, so he probably felt it didn't warrant his attention.
Sam wasn't in his office, when I went in so that might have explained the no show. Mumbling 'whatever' under my breath as I put my things into my locker I stormed back out, once I'd got my apron on. Arlene was stood there still in the same place I left her, so I went over to the bar and said 'Hi' to Tara.
"It's about time someone stood up to that bitch!" My childhood best friend said.
"I'm just not in a good mood today Tara. She just chose the wrong moment to be Arlene." I tell her.
"What's crawled up your ass? I could tell somethings not right, the way you walked in and then chewed Miss Bad-Hair die over there a new one"
"Just not feelin' it today Tara. I'm never late, and I drifted off to sleep this afternoon, Gran woke me up ten minuets before I was due to start, and you know I like being here fifteen minuets early. There's nothing worse than being late, then Arlene lay's into me, just as I step my foot in through the freaking door. How many times has she been late or just not turned up at all? It's just put me in a bad mood."
"Get this down ya, whilst Sam's not around she's been bumming it, since he isn't here." Tara placed a shot glass with clear liquid in front of me. Just as I was debating about it a hand swiped in and took it before I had a chance. I looked to see Arlene glaring at the two of us, before she downed it herself, slamming it on the bar and storming off to her section that's the middle of the waitressing table area.
Tara took the shot glass away, got a new one, and poured me a double just to spite Arlene. I swiped it out of her hands before anyone else could steel it, and let the liquid courage sink into my system. I felt my mood lift slightly. I'm a happy smily drunk, which is nothing unusual as that's how I am normally and I rarely ever get drunk, because I don't like how I feel the next morning. So I've learned how many drink's I can have before I reach my limit and I can proudly say I can count on one hand the amount of time's I've been drunk, as it's not easy to deal with being a telepath either.
Making my way to my section, after saying goodbye to Tara, I made my way to the back of Merlotte's and started cleaning my tables, and laying out the napkins, and cutlery, placemats and whatnot. Some where already seated in my section, having beers or whatever they've chosen to drink this night.
I started to get into the flow of things, and let my mind focus on my job rather than the locket that hid behind my shirt, and the secrets I hold, which is nothing new really. This one just felt a lot heavier because for once I had one of my own.
It was around ten o'clock when Sam finally came back from wherever he'd been. It had been five hours since I'd started, and now we where just serving drinks. Arlene was still giving me the stink eye, but I just ignored her.
My brother and his road crew friends had also come in around eight. Apparently they had decided to go to The Cowboy's. A place between here and HotShot for dinner instead tonight, as it was closer. I suddenly realised what my thought process had said... brother, regarding Jason Stackhouse. And I felt my face fall, and I dropped a glasses, as it shattered to the floor.
"Shit!" I hissed. Cursing myself for letting my facade drop. Suddenly realising the reality of the situation I'd found myself in.
Sam came rushing out of his office and grabbed a broom and dustpan from the edge of the bar, where it always hangs, for incidence like these. My brain felt like I was about to have a melt down, with everything I'd learned recently and that's not like me.
"The heck Cher?" he said, as I just stood there in shock.
"ARLENE! Get the dust pan and brush, and sweep this up whilst I chat to Sookie here outside." I didn't even react when Sam took hold of my elbow and pulled me out. Completely ignoring Arlene's protest.
"Yo, sis what's up with you?" Jason asked, as we went passed his table, Sam just tugged my elbow and pulled me further away from everyone out of the bar. I know Sam felt me tense when Jason said sis.
Once we where in the parking lot, Sam moved us to the side where his trailer is and plonked me down on the bench outside of his home.
"What the fuck's going on tonight Cher? That ain't like you."
"I-" I had no idea what to tell him, being completely honest.
"I'm sorry I sounded harsh Sookie, but your one of my best waitresses, and you've never once dropped anything before. Something's up, so spill it."
"She does not have to spill anything Merlotte."
I don't think I have ever seen Sam move so fast before.
And the Viking has landed :)
Hope everyone around the world is okay and staying safe :)
I'm seeing a lot of traffic, but not a lot of "Hi's"
I'd love to know where you are all reading from? I'm UK.