When we pulled up to Sook's house I got out, I'd leave them alone for a while. When I went into the front door I saw Bill open Sookie's door for her. Old fashioned romance made my heart flutter. I smiled and went into the kitchen.
I realized I felt at home, really at home in the house my grandmother died in, in the kitchen my grandma bled out in. The house I hadn't seen in two years. But the memories were so strong, us having dinner here so many times. Grandma making breakfast the morning I left. My thoughts fell over the subject of my own memories. Why were they so damn clear? Was that part of my powers or was it the strong feeling of missing this life? This terrible, and lovely life here in Bon Temps. With what family I had left.
I saw a whole chicken in the sink, Sookie was going to make dinner. I hadn't had a home cooked meal in so long I jumped ahead of the track. I fished around in the cabinet for a large pan. When I found it I placed the chicken on the pan and heated the oven. I knew how to cook, but I had nothing in my apartment but a microwave and a small fridge. I usually just ordered stuff or ate out. I heard Sookie come in, Bill must've went home. "Hey, are you cooking for me?" She asked with a smile. "I was just getting things started." I laughed nervously. "Well, while the chicken cooks, you can take your things to the guest room." Sookie said, she seemed excited. "You're staying right?" She questioned, sounding worried. "Yes, I guess I am." She smiled widely.
I went outside to get my bags I saw something in the woods. A person, a woman. But she just disappeared, I shook my head, I needed some down time. I got my bags and went into the house. Sookie was sitting on the couch. I went up the stairs and passed Gran's room it felt odd to just not see her around the house doing something, cleaning or cooking or just sitting down reading a book. I missed her so much. I put my bags down in front of the window that looked over the backyard and went back downstairs. Sookie patted the seat next to her. "Are you worried about the Dallas thing?" She asked me, and I shook my head. I really wasn't. "Bill told me we'll leave tomorrow night." I nodded. The rest of the night we talked about her work, about Jason, about Bill, and Jessica. But she never mentioned Eric, I assumed that was because she didn't care for him. Or she feared him.
When I got up I saw the stream of light from the window hit the wall next to me. It was about six o'clock in the morning, and I went to sleep at twelve o'clock last night. It had been the longest I slept since I left. I needed to be here, that was evident. Sookie came into my room after knocking, that was what woke me up. "Hey, you wanna come down to Merlotte's with me?" She asked, I sat up and rubbed my eyes. "Yes, I do." I yawned. "Okay." Sookie said smiling, she left me. I took a shower, brushed my teeth, and fixed my hair, then I got dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans. When I was finished I walked down the stairs to see Sookie in a yellow dress. She was such a country girl. I hadn't worn a dress in years. "You look real pretty." Sookie said as we walked out the door. "So do you, Sook." I smiled as we got into her small yellow car.
As we drove we talked. "So where were you staying?" Sookie asked me. "I was staying in a apartment in Blanchard just outside of Shreveport." I told her while I watched the trees blur. "Oh, where were you working?" "Daisy's diner, and Keller's Bar and Grill." I said. "Hey, if your staying you should ask Sam for a job, of course after we get back from Dallas." She looked away on that note. We pulled into the gravel parking lot of Merlotte's I saw Hoyt's truck and looked at Sook. "How's Hoyt been?" I asked her, she smiled. "He's fine, I'm sure he'll be surprised to see you." She chuckled.
Me and Hoyt were kind of best friends except I think he liked me a little to much to be friends. Sookie nudged me when we went in the door. "I'm going to find Sam." I nodded and looked around for Hoyt, he was sitting at the bar drinking a beer. I walked up and sat next to him. Tara was bartending and Arlene was waiting tables. "Hey Ella, what can I get ya?" Tara asked. Hoyt turned to me then. "Just a water." I said, Tara nodded. I glanced at Hoyt with a smile. "Ella? Ella Stackhouse?" Hoyt was grinning from ear to ear. "Hoyt. Hoyt Fortenberry." I smirked. "You look different." He said and got up. He was a bit taller than I remembered. "You look taller." I stood up to hug him, he squeezed me and I squeezed back. "How's your mom?" I asked him, he laughed. "Controlling as always." He sighed, I nodded. We sat back down. "Where the hell have you been?" He asked me. "A few places." I said, he chuckled and took a sip of beer. "What have you been up to?" I asked him. "I met a girl." He said, and he sounded smitten. "Who is she?" I asked, he wiped his face and grinned. "Her name is Jessica." He leaned in close. "She's a vampire." He said. So he was dating Jessica, I was happy for him. I punched his shoulder. "Lucky guy." I said, he blushed and laughed a bit. "My mom hates it." He laughed, I laughed with him.
Sam and Sookie came in then. Sam was frustrated he wiped out a few glasses while Sookie talked to him. Then a tall, striking woman walked in. Hoyt turned to stare at her, and so did everyone else in the bar. "Marryann hey." Tara called. Sam looked angry. "Sookie, this is Marryann. Marryann, this is Sookie, and Sookie's cousin Ella." She introduced her. Marryann had something about her, I didn't understand her. "Hello Sookie, hello Ella." She held out her hand and I took it. I was curious about her. As soon as we touched. Her memories were fuzzy, almost like a vampire's. I saw naked bodies, black eyes looking up to me, a knife piercing skin, dark blood dripping from a gleaming blade and Sam, but younger. I felt my body shudder, I felt love undying love. I took my hand back and put on my poker face. Tara said goodbye and they left together. I turned back to Hoyt who seemed to have not noticed his drooling stare. "Well, it was good seeing you Hoyt, good luck with Jessica." I said, he grinned his big goofy grin and I hugged him. "Bye Ell." He whispered as I hugged him. It was funny, that we had hugged twice and our skin didn't touch, it was almost a normal reunion. I waved goodbye to him and walked out with Sookie. We got in the car and she smiled at me, but it was halfhearted, that was completely different. "What is it?" I asked her and after a second I realized she must've heard something from Maryann, I know I saw something. "That woman, did you see anything?" She sounded confused. "Well, yes. It was weird, kind of blurry like a vampire's memories or feelings. But there were naked people and black eyes." I didn't want to frighten her over what just might be a seriously fucked up thinker, so I left the other parts out.
We went home -I loved calling it that- and had lunch. After lunch we went for a walk through the cemetery. It was a very quite day, kind of sunless and windy. "Have you heard from Hadley?" I asked her letting the question I had been trying to keep concealed out. "No, she split after gran paid for her rehab. I'm pretty sure she's using again." Sookie was straightforward about things it was her personality and I liked that about her, because I was the same way. "Are you worried about tonight?" I asked while I watched the old rusted metal fence curve with the ground as we walked on. "Not if I have Bill there with me." She smiled at the mere thought of him. "Are you?" She added sounded serious. "No, I've learned to take good care of myself." I said, recalling all the nights I was nearly robbed by strangers at least three times on my way home at the early hours of morning. It was very hard when I was only sixteen years old in New Orleans being followed by vampires. I shivered at the thought. "It's almost five. We should get home and pack." Sookie said. "I'm already packed." I chuckled. Sookie nudged me and we turned back towards home.
When we returned it was about five thirty. Sookie went up to her room to pack and I just went outside and sat on the front porch swing. I sat back feeling lazy in the summer wind. Then I laid on my side and swung easily. It was a great feeling to be back and to feel drowsy. Before I dreaded sleep, the nightmares it would bring the feeling of falling. It was awful. Bon Temps had dealt me bad hands but, I loved it, I belonged there.