Southern Hospitality

Chapter 3

"Nana! Who was that rude brut" I asked as she walked into the kitchen placing her bags on the table 

"That was Luke and he's been helping fix my fences" she spoke softly 

"Thats the guy?" I asked surprised. There was no way he was helping somebody! 

"Yes and you were very rude to my guest" she snapped at me

"Acting all crazy like your mama. Now help me put these georgics up and bake some cookies. You're going to head over to his place and apologize" she strictly said

"Nana noooo. He was so mean to me" I whined but she turned and hit my hand with a wooden spoon. I flinched from the smack and looked at her shocked 

"Better stop all the winning. You're 26 Evelyn not 6" she scolded me. I didn't say anything after that and did what she asked.

...

"Evie! Why is officer Walter out here dressed like he's going to get married" nana yelled from downstairs. I jumped from the bed and looked out the window. I complete forget about that date, I was so busy baking with nana and crying over the fact I had to deliver cookies to Luke it slipped my mind

I rushed downstairs and went outside "Walter..." I said walking up to him in my pjs 

"Evelyn that's a nice outfit but not really fit for dinner" he laughed to himself. I awkwardly laughed with him trying to think of ways to explain why I had to cancel dinner

"Yea... listen about dinner-"

"If you need more time I can wait" he interrupted me. I groaned to myself seeing as he was not letting me out of this. I put a fake smile on my face and walked back inside 

"Going on a date with that cop?" Nana asked as I walked up the stairs to get dressed

"He helped me find your house... it's the least I should do" I told preparing myself for whatever he planned. I opened my closet and put on some jeans with a simple yet chic top. It was getting chilly outside so getting an outfit was easy 

I went back downstairs and grabbed my purse "be careful baby" nana yelled as I left the house

Walter was still waiting by his car and got extremely excited when he saw me

"That's much better" he said talking about my outfit. His comment was kind of odd but I brushed it aside seeing this was a friendly dinner 

He started the car and pulled out of my grandmothers driveway "How has your day been" he asked 

"Hectic" was all I could reply. We drove for about 30 minutes in complete silence until he pulled up to this cabin like restaurant. I got out the car and walked inside with him everyones eyes were on us and I became anxious. They all just stared at us as Walter paid no mind following the server to the table 

"Here you are. Enjoy your night" I mouthed thank you and opened the menu

"Everything sounds good" I said to start a conversation 

"Evelyn you are so beautiful. You're just so... different" Walter answered. I nervously said thank you and sipped on my water. This man was slowly creeping me out

"Ummm, tell me about yourself" I asked getting uncomfortable from him just staring at me

" I'm an officer at the police station. I hope to be Sheriff soon but one can only pray" he laughed to himself 

"I'm 32 and have lived here all my life. I did move to Alabama for a while but then found my home... " he kept talking telling stories about his job and family. 20 minutes laters and we had ordered our food Walter was still going on about himself and I was growing tired 

"Walter could you tell me about a few people in town. Since you've been here so long" I asked. I really wanted the inside tea on Luke and with him being an officer I bet he knew everything

"Who are you interested in?" he asked cutting up his steak 

"Mmmm, do you happen to know anyone named Luke?" I replied 

"Do I know him? The whole town does" he laughed but this time more cynical with disgust 

"Luke Carson is a known name in town. He owns that hardware shop in the middle of town built it up on his own. The kid moved out here a couple years ago around when he was 15, it was just him and his parents. A bunch of weirdos honestly" for once I was actually interested in what Walter had to say and gestured for him to keep going 

"Everyone knows everyone here. We all grew up together so when Luke and that family came they were the talk of town. Don't get me wrong his parents were lovely people if you're into hillbilly white trash. They were pretty poor and lived at the end of the town but once Luke meet Savanah things changed" he said pointing the fork with steak on at me 

"Who's Savanah?" I asked wanting to know more

"Ex girlfriend/mother of his child. Her family is well known around here but when she got pregnant man did their reputation go down hill. There's a lot of drama between those two Savanah would walk around with bruises and we all came to the conclusion Luke was beating her. Not surprised the kids daddy was the same to his mother" he said that so carelessly as if it was normal

"Nowadays Luke is seen as an outcast not liked by many. If you ever met him he's as cold as ice just not a nice dude at all sweet cakes" I sat there taking in Walters words. I rembermed the conversation I heard in the flower shop and figured they were talking about Luke...

"If I were you I'd stay away from him. Your grandma likes to get him to fix her stuff but she's the only looney in town who bothers with him" I snapped my head at Walter

"My nana is not crazy" I said defending her. Walter looked startled by my response and laughed 

"Of course she's not... I'm just saying hanging around white people like that. I worry the whole town does" he responded laughing. This whole night he's been saying such weird words and I wasn't much of a fan

"Mmmm " was all I mumbled finishing my dish