Part II

The Stackhouse Residence

The moment Jason slid into his chair; he was served an enormous platter of food with a large elegant glass of orange juice. Bacon, eggs, sausage, piles of fried potatoes; a tureen of fruit sat on ice to keep it chilled. The basket of rolls set before him would keep him full for a week.

Cooking was all Sookie could do to keep her mind preoccupied. And still, it didn't work. Jason appraised his sister as he began feasting on the rich food with ravenous hunger. The blonde stood at the kitchen window again, eyes on the newly paved driveway, that she held no interest in.

"Damn Sook, good food." The sound of his voice caused her to finally move away from the window and re-engage her sibling. She turned to observe her older brother eating like a caveman, taking massive bites of his meat rather than cutting it.

"Thanks..." She muttered, her voice trailing away, her head kept replaying what she saw the night before, the way he held her, kissed her. All while re-examining her last moments with Eric, what she said, what he said... She had reread his texts, her replies... always wondering what she should have done differently. In her heart, she knew there was another girl with her claws in him back then; now Tara has the nerve... her stomach turned at the thought.

"You okay Sis?" He asked, still eating his food like it was going out of style. He crammed it in thick and fast, consuming a meal that had taken an hour to cook in a matter of minutes. Sookie sat down and took a sip of her coffee.

"Yep, how was the party last night?" She knew he'd fucked up somehow, otherwise, why would Tara end up in the arms of her man.

"Lame! He shouted pieces of food flew out of his mouth. "No food, skunky beer, and stuck up chicks." He ate so noisily, then, showing no signs of embarrassment, he wiped his mouth on his sleeve and belched, "I don't think Pam invited any of her hot friends, Sophie and Jessica, never showed."

"She didn't invite me either," Sookie grumbled.

Pamela Northman always had the best parties, but Sookie was never invited to any. When she heard Eric would be visiting from New Orleans, she wanted to go so badly. Sookie never understood why Pam disliked her, and why she did not approve of her relationship with Eric. She couldn't help that Pam just didn't fit in with her group of friends, which happen to be the prettiest, most popular girls in school. Sookie made every attempt to make friends with her, and never joined in when Portia, Amelia or Dawn called her a 'weird-lesbo'. She did the same for Tara when she moved to Bon Temps. Sookie took an immediate liking to Tara and so did Pam. Tara was always the type that you either loved or hated and with that she could see why Tara and Pam became friends.

"Oh...yeah..." Jason replied, "well, trust me you missed nothing."

"I thought you went with Tara..." She asked incredulously.

"Yeah, but it wasn't like a date or nothing, I just gave her a ride."

"Did you give her a ride back home?" She knew he did not, and the image of the night before emerged, upsetting her even more.

"Uh, well- no...I..." he began.

"Well, how do you suppose she got home all the way from Sugarland Estates to Parker Square?" She cut him off.

"Ya see... after a few joints." He let out a nervous laugh. "To tell ya the truth Sis, I'm not sure what happened." He sighed and scratched the back of his head. "But I'm sure Tara's fine, Nicole and Willa were there and they both live near, one of them must have got her home."

"I'm sure she's fine too." Sookie huffed in frustration.

"Then what's the fuss all about?"

"Nothing..." Sookie shook her head, disbelieving at how stupid her brother is.

Jason was determined to figure out what was bothering her on this glorious morning, so he continued to pry.

"Sook, I told you that the party was lame, no need to be fussy. Besides, I plan on throwing a party of our own next week, when mom and dad are out of town."

"Eric won't be here next week!" She snapped, as she shot up from her chair.

"Eric..." A look of disgust washed the smile right off his face, "your ex-boyfriend?" He looked up at her in aggravation as she slid back in her chair. "That's what the fuss was all about?" Aww, come on Sook."

Sookie quickly got back out of her seat and returned to the kitchen window..."Just so you know, my ex-boyfriend took Tara home last night. so yeah Tara got home just fine, and yeah, I suppose that's what the fuss is all about."

"So, what- he took her home..." He said, hoping to pacify her, he hated seeing her in a sour mood, especially over Eric, he never cared for him, he was the only guy in town who the girls liked more. "Besides, there is no way Tara would fall for that overgrown, know-it-all- asshole."

"I saw them kissing on her porch," Sookie replied sharply but did not bother to turn from the window to see his expression. She knew Jason did not care about Tara in a romantic way, although Tara had a crush on her brother from the moment, she laid eyes on him.

I'm sure she got over Jason, the moment she laid eyes on Eric.

That put Jason deep into thought, Jason had never much noticed Tara before, she'd been his sister's friend, nothing more. He'd done so many mean things to her, treating her like she was another pesky sibling to keep in line. But this year she seemed to evolve; she wasn't a little girl anymore. She'd filled out a little, just enough to give her curves and a fuller bust. She'd let her hair go wavy, falling in relaxed curls past her shoulders. Jason's felt his mouth go dry. He knows what Tara wants and he can't give that to her.

"I can't be no one-woman man, that just ain't in my nature! My Johnson wants to be free!"

"What the hell are you talking about," Sookie asked evading all eye contact, trying her best to avoid further annoyance.

"Tara wants my attention, so she can tie me down, that's what they all want."

"If she wanted your attention, she would have tried to get it at the party; it seems to me she found what she was looking for, " she shook her head in disbelief, "I wonder if Eric feels the same..."

"I thought you were dating Ben? Besides, like half of the guys in town worship you, you could have anyone you want."

"I know...it's just I like Eric more than any of my other boyfriends, Bill, Alcide, and even Ben..." Her head dropped in sadness. "And Eric, he broke up with me, and I still don't understand why."

Jason had heard enough, "Look Sook, we're Stackhouse's and if we want something we go out and get it." He pulled her close and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, gently rubbing her arm. Despite the heaviness in her stomach, it fluttered as she sunk into the warmth of his side, appreciative of the simple gesture.

"You know, your right Jas, thanks."

Ex-boyfriend, the word alone is enough to make me choke. In my dreams we were married, then came the babies... Now he is my ex and I'm supposed to be okay with that.

Well, I'm not. I want him back.

There is no way on God's green earth that I will let Tara have Eric. I'll show him that I'm the woman for him, and then Eric will come back to me. Soon, Tara will just be a fading memory we laugh about over drinks until one day neither of us can recall her name.

She'll be a footnote, nothing more.

TARA

I'd awaken this morning feeling refreshed and full of energy despite drinking a flask full of whiskey the night before. At first, I thought I'd dreamed the last part of my night until I looked over at the chair and Eric's Letterman jacket was hanging right on the back where I'd placed it.

I smiled, knowing full well that Eric wanted to seduce me. I could tell by the look in his big blue eyes he really- really wanted to. He didn't right out ask to come in, and I'm glad he didn't; besides my bedroom, the entire house is a mess. I supposed I could have let him in, if I dimmed the lights, I could have easily snuck him in pass my comatose mother and took him to my room. I would have locked the door, lit a few candles and made out with him until the sun came up. Hell, I might have gone all the way with him, I could totally see Eric being my first.

And when he kissed me, I couldn't find my voice; with the kiss came electric tingles, the desire to play. I felt my cheeks flushed hot, and my stomach was heavy. My heart pounded in my throat, threatening to break out.

'He takes my breath away...' Damn, now that line made a lot of sense.

I don't remember what I said to him, but it made him smile and then he asked to see me the next day for a date. He wants to spend the entire day with me since we only have two days to hang out with each other before he leaves.

Now it's time to get my ass up and get started on the task of cleaning my nasty house. My mom is not the best housekeeper these days and the kitchen and bathroom need some deep cleaning. I have a feeling Eric will insist on coming in today, he seems like the type that wants to be proper and meet my mother.

I start with the kitchen. Since our dishwasher crapped out last year, I have to hand wash, rinse and dry the piles of dishes, pots, and pans. Afterward, I make myself a small pot of coffee and pour me a cup. I'm starving and all there is to eat is oatmeal or rice. So, I make the instant oatmeal and some toast. After I eat, I sweep, dust and wipe down the counters with Pine-Sol. The floor was disgusting, it took me 30 minutes to scrub the grime away. I then emptied the trash and swept the porch.

Next is our bathroom, normally when I walk in, I can smell the invasive moldy smell. But when I entered today, the smell was even worse; the sour scent of puke added to the already disgusting aroma that lingered in the bathroom. Mom must have really gone all out last night. I remove the old shower curtain and replace it with a brand new one, afterward I scrub the bathroom from top to bottom with Pine-Sol. I cleaned the mirrors and windows with Windex and dust-off cabinets, counters, fixtures, and tables all about the house. The only thing I have left to do - vacuum, but that will have to wait until Mom wakes up. For now, I need to find something to wear.

What to wear… what to wear.

I bounce through my closet looking for something sexy. Oh… wait. I have to dress casually. I slip into a pair of dark blue jean shorts with white stars spangled on the back pockets. I layer a purple tank over a white one and I dust off my purple and white Chuck's. I can't stand still and my body jiggles excitedly. This outfit will be perfect for an afternoon date.

ERIC

Merlotte's is never busy in the morning, even though their breakfast is much better than their competition down the road. The only thing Bellefleur's has on Merlotte's is the Barbecue.

As Pam and I are escorted to our seat in our favorite greasy spoon, all I could think about was her.

"I'll have the veggie omelet, no onions, with wheat toast," Pam orders her usual, never taking her eyes off me while handing over her menu to Holly. She was smirking, dying to know what happened with Tara and me last night.

"You got it, hun..." Holly quickly jotted her order down on her notepad, "And for you handsome...?"

"I'll have 2 slices of bacon, 2 over-easy eggs, biscuits and gravy...and 2 coffees please." I smiled hand her my menu, the smell of bacon cooking makes my stomach growl.

"I'll be right back which ya'll order." Once the waitress was gone, Pam started in on me.

"Last night must have gone really well, you haven't stopped smiling."

She was right, I'm happy and Tara's the cause.

"We're meeting at 3:00 today for a lakeside picnic ."

"A picnic...how romantic." Pam was sincere, I could tell by the way her eyes lit up, and again, I'm surprised. I've had many girlfriends and Pam hated them all. "Perfect weather today too..." she added.

"Yep, no rain in sight." I've got most of the date planned out - the location, the cloth napkins, silverware, the plush blanket, the wine, the chocolates. I just don't know what kind of food to make.

"Whatever it is, make sure you prepare it from scratch." She took a sip of coffee. "Cut up pineapples and melons and make tiny sandwiches...or meat and vegetable skewers, or stuffed dates... or bacon-wrapped dates...or..."

"Will you help me?" I cut her off, I really didn't need her help, I just wanted her to simmer down a bit, her excitement was making me nervous.

"No way, I have shopping to do, you're not the only one with a date today."

We both laughed and when our breakfast arrived, we ate in peaceful silence. My mind replayed last night; when our gazes locked, I was instantly mesmerized by the deep swirls of chocolate and mocha in her coffee-colored eyes. The golden black mascara on her half-opened eyelids added a smoky and dramatic look.

Most people in this small town did not pay attention to her beauty, but rather her color and I'll be the first to admit, toasted sienna never looked so beautiful on a woman. With rippled onyx hair and wide brown eyes, Tara is undoubtedly a beautiful woman. But not only on the outside, but I can also feel it radiating from inside of her; in the energy, we shared.

She had a kind of understated beauty, perhaps it was because she was so disarmingly unaware of her prettiness. Her dark skin was completely flawless. I doubt she used face masks or expensive products; she was all about simplicity. Perhaps that is why her skin glowed so, it was her inner beauty that lit her eyes and softened her features. When she smiled and laughed you couldn't help but smile along too.

Tara Thornton is natural, sexy, real; I wanted to wrap her in my arms and never let go.