South Versus West, chapter 2
OMG! REVIEWS ALREADY? THANK YOU SO MUCH! I'm so glad that this really wasn't a waste of time, for the readers or me! But replies to my first reviews because you're that awesome!
AmandaSophia- Thank you! And I think this goes without saying, but it's definitely going to be funny. Or the situation will be at least.
Ali- Thank you! No need for the question mark, there's DEFINITELY going to be Zade in this fan fic, all right?
NOTE- I DON'T OWN HART OF DIXIE! IF I DID, ZOEY AND WADE WOULD BE MARRIED BY NOW!
Uncle Wade's expression didn't change. No signs of a smile, or even blinking! Just staring, as if I were an alien specimen that had been just dropped off at the Smithsonian. Finally, this Western chick had had enough of Uncle Wade's gaping expression.
"Uncle Wade, I'm pregnant," I deadpanned. His eyes widened, and he started speaking a trillion mile an hour.
"WHAT? Why isn't your mother helping you with this? She should be more helpful, especially since this was the age she had you! Who is he? Was it rape, 'cuz if it was I'm gonna kill that mother fucker! Oh my God," Uncle Wade finally moaned, pulling me close to his chest. I pushed him away, and punched him in the arm. "Ow! What was that for, crazy?" he griped, rubbing his bicep. I rolled my eyes.
"I only said that to get you to say something! Second, how the hell did you mistake me for a dude?" I seethed, glaring at my uncle, forgetting I was supposed to be begging him to let me live with him temporarily. He glared at me and it almost made me smile. It reminded me of those stupid arguments we had whenever I visited when I was younger. ("A lamp would totally be a better weapon during a zombie apocalypse!" "No, a sock with a rock inside would!" "No way in hell!")
"Oh, nice explanation. Real smooth," He claimed sarcastically, rubbing his eyes with one hand. He continued when I just shrugged. "But then why are you walking at 4:00 in the goddamn mornin' with nothing but a sweatshirt and a backpack?" he demanded, still shaken, but still doing a decent job at maintaining his composure. I looked away and stood on my toes to whisper in his ear.
"Look, I don't wanna talk about it with a total stranger here, but I'll tell you this- it has to do with Mama, and I don't think it's exactly safe for me to go back to Texas," I hissed, feeling tears well up in my eyes as I remembered the angel my mama once was, always smilin' and laughin', despite the fact we were strugglin'. He went silent for a moment.
"Um, I think we should just go. Doc! Do you need to follow me to get back to the plantation, or do you want to take the lead? Knowing you, you'll get lost or hit a third person," he snarked in a slightly teasing tone. Zoey rolled her eyes.
"I can get there just fine, Kinsella. Go help your, um, niece," she snapped, turning quickly on her heel and stalking back to her truck. I stifled a laugh at how he managed to infuriate her so quickly. I'd give anything to be able to do that with her, but it wouldn't work because Dr. Hart seemed immune to teenagers. Wade jut laughed silently under his breath, grabbed my hand, and led me to the front seat of his rusty red baby. He helped me up into the passenger's seat, and climbed in himself. The light turned on, and his gaping face was back, but was also mixed with panic.
"Oh my God, Kali," he breathed, brushing my bruised cheek with his tan calloused hand. I just sighed and looked at him with apologetic eyes.
"I'm so sorry, Uncle Wade. I tried to find someone else to go to, but you know Mama wouldn't let me contact my dad, even if she didn't burn his information. I looked for other people, but Mama's address book had no one but her drinking buddies, and most of them are worse than Mama," I apologized, shuddering at the thought of more drunks. He hugged me with one arm, looking at me with sincere eyes, the usual mischievous glint in them completely gone. I took that as an, "Apology accepted."
"Kali, how long has this been goin' on?" he asked, his tone of voice growing more serious with each passing second. I winced, knowing what was coming.
"The drinking problem has been going on since I was nine. The beating started just last year," I whispered. Uncle Wade slammed both of his fists on the steering wheel angrily, his facial features twisting into a gnarly glare.
"Goddamnit, Kalisandra! I know you haven't seen me in six years, but when I said call if you need something, I fucking meant it! I would have gotten your mama some help! I would have helped you pay for your house! I would have gotten your grandpa or even your Uncle Jesse involved," he lectured, clearly pissed off. I flinched back at his voice, and his gaze softened. "Why didn't you call, or even write?" I shook my head, trying to get the ringing out of my head.
"I thought I had it handled. I got a job back in Texas, and that plus the child support from my dad was good enough to pay for a house, and pay rent. I won a raffle, and I ended up getting 1000 dollars, and I used that to put Mama in rehab. I got home, and found out that Mama had resigned from the program and was back in her drinking habits. She was angry at me for getting rid of her beer, and well, you know the rest," I explained shakily, my hands clasped tightly in my lap.
"Damn it, Kali. Why the hell did you think you had it handled? When you're the kid of a drunk, nothin' is ever stable. Even when you think it's gettin' better, it's not. You deserve to be out with friends, having sleepover, prank callin' guys, or whatever it is you chicks do! Kali, you can't do everything," Uncle Wade lectured softly. I nodded, squinting my eyes shut at my still throbbing gash on my back.
"I'm sorry, Uncle Wade. And I know you're gettin' by as well, but please, can I stay with you for a while? I swear, I'll work, and split rent, and do whatever! Besides, it'll be only temporary, I promise," I babbled, immediately thinking that Uncle Wade was pissed enough to not take me in. He rolled his eyes.
"Man, Kali, are you really that dense? I wouldn't have even let you get in this car if I wasn't goin' to take you to my place," he said in shock and somewhat disdain. I blushed, shrugging.
"I don't know. Maybe," I retorted. He rolled his eyes again.
"C'mon, kid. Let's get you to my place, and see what we can do. If worse comes to worse, we'll have Doc fix you up. She's my neighbor," he explained as he started up his truck. I shook my head rapidly.
"Oh, nuh uh! She's a snob! City girl thinks she's better than everyone else. I'm not lettin' her near me! No way in the higher power, whatever that may be," I babbled, making an "X" motion with my arms. Uncle Wade chuckled dryly.
"Ah c'mon, Kali. She ain't that bad. Yeah, she's all those things, but she's smart, skillful, powerful, sweet, sexy," Uncle Wade listed, intending to go on. My ears perked up at the compliments and a wicked grin played upon my lips.
"Why, Uncle Wade, did you just call the local doctor hot and sweet?" I asked in a shocked tone, repressing a long line of snickers. In the din light of the stars and street lamps I could see his ears turning a strawberry hue.
"No! Why the hell would you think that?" he snapped, his voice faltering just a tiny bit. I snickered, not even bothering to try and hold it back. He slapped my lower back, trying to be playful in an older brother type of way. Instead, it stung like a million hoards of bees stinging that area at once. I whimpered, holding back the sob that was clawing to get out. Uncle Wade glanced at me, alarmed, and then pitiful.
"Your face isn't the only place Clora* got you, is it?" Uncle Wade asked sympathetically. Debating whether to lie to him, or not, I just sat there, looking straight ahead. "I'll take that as a 'Yes, Uncle Wade, you're right, and I'm just way too goddamned stubborn to admit it'," Uncle Wade decided with a small smirk. I turned away, but I could feel a small amused grin coming on. Maybe almost getting run over by a sort of bitch was a good thing.
*Clora- Kali's mom's name. Is Latin, for "curly", and a popular name in the Southern region of the USA. Plz review and stuff, and if you're going to give me feedback, plz no cussing. Thank you!