Dancing in the Oaks

Inevitable

I scooted closer to him so we could talk quieter. In a small town word gets around very rapidly. It is just best to avoid 'spilling the beans' because once one person finds out the whole town does. They had turned on some nice country music. I felt a burn in my chest, which I have never felt before. It was as if I was having a heart attack. I guess maybe it was stress. I am not sure. "T-that's weird. Twelve months ago? I could hardly imagine p-pain." Nicholas' hair blew in the wind despite the fact that he wore a hat. It's always hard to compose words when talking to him. Usually, I like to just stare at his eyes. I mean, I do not like him. It may sound like I do, but I do not.  "You know, if C&M Stables is spelled out all the way there are 12 letters." He gave me a smile and a head shake. It became harder to breathe, almost like my own lungs were suffocating me.

"Something is wrong Norah. Tell me. I won't tell anyone else." He said with a calm smile. Sure, he was one of those that would just 'spill the beans'. There was one time back in Bakersfield that I told a guy that I liked his friend and that did not go well. I am so sick of people bullying me and telling me what I want to hear at the moment. I am still trying to figure out if Nick is just another one of those people. However, I do not think so.

"I don't know what I'm gonna do when I get home. I ain't doing anything, but stress over this whole thing. My parents have yet to believe me." I felt like giving him a long hug, but not with Berry watching in the distance. I ate the last bite of food on my plate. They turned the music up louder. Little did I know that they would play my favorite country music. People stood up and began to line dance. I savored every last bite of food that I had on my plate. The brisket was heaven and that is an understatement. Anytime eating that style of beef it should be so tender and this was tender. It was so juicy. When biting into the brisket it was a punch of flavor and a burst of juices. So heavenly. The texture was right on, unlike anything I have ever tasted before.

"Hey, let's get your mind off this. I know the concern and the situation." Nicholas is famous for taking his hat off and running his fingers through his dark brown hair. I guess it's just a cowboy thing and I can say that it doesn't bother me at all.

I just gave him my classic eye roll. "You're saying you wanna get up and line dance?" I knew that was exactly his intentions, but that is not what I wanted to do.

He laughed and initially gave me a smile. "Yeah. Why not?" Nick stood up and looked down at me sitting on the grass. "Come on!" He gave me a smirk.

The whole big group of people were standing up on Joe's cement platform line dancing. Walking, jumping, and having fun. A lot of laughs were let out. The music got louder. Even the town sheriff department was line dancing. That was super fun to see. Back in Bakersfield everyone was so serious. Out in the countryside everyone has fun and enjoys every moment of life without a shame.  It was as if the entire town was one big family. I couldn't stop to smell the roses because the time went so fast. About four hours in, at 10:00, people began to leave. That's when I realized that it was precisely 2 hours until 12:00. Nicholas was over talking to other people that he was friends with. Joe had thanked everyone for coming. He was a short, old guy that had plenty of charisma. He had a white beard, but certainly looked like someone out of a western movie. I realized what Nick meant when he said people would go all out and wear leather, chaps, and spurs. That is exactly what farmer Joe did. After all, this was his party on his property. He was a strong and tough guy, but he sure was kind. I guess first impressions don't mean anything.

Nick and I walked back to the front of the house. I walked over to the family farm truck. "N-Nick, thank you. Thanks for inviting me." I was so appreciative that someone finally included me. My own family just uses me to complete farm tasks. I just feel like not a lot of people care for me. I felt that way back in Bakersfield. There are really only three people here that care about me. My friends Miranda and Eden. Now Nick can be added to that friends list.

"No problem. It was so much fun. The next community party is on All Hallows' Eve." He said. I noticed that his plaid shirt was dirty. He obviously did not care one bit. That's what I like most about him is that he knows what is important.

"All Hallows' Eve? Is that Halloween?" I asked unsurely. The biggest difference from my town of Bakersfield and the countryside of Oak Ridge is the talk. The jump from west to east was a big one for my family and I. The confusion still lingers.

He looked at me with a ghostly stare. "Yep, that's what us country folk call it. The city yuppies call it Halloween because they just go retrieve candy from 'er neighbors porches. Us country folk do more than that. There's gonna be a lot of music and everyone dresses up as cowboys, even though we all are already cowboys. There's good food, and by the way your pie was phenomenal. There's a lot of pies and usually caramel apples. It's so much fun. Y'all have to come this year. It's in 19 days. Today's... let's see... October 11th. Yeah 19 days. I'll give y'all more information. Our birthdays are tomorrow." His eyes were different in the moonlight. They almost appeared as if they were dark pearls. His shadow in the moonlight was comparable to something out of a western movie.

"Alright. Makes sense. Yeah it's different still adjustin' from Yuppie traditions to countryside traditions. That sounds so fun. I'll be there. I'm glad ya liked the pie. Tomorrow is our birthdays. So the murder happens on the morning of October 12th? That is why it takes place at midnight. I am so confused because my mother tells me happy birthday the day before my birthday, so I get really angry." I said with confidence. The hardest thing for me is that I almost never know what to say around him. I completely lose all focus on what to say. I have to really make an effort to not drown in his eyes.

"Yes, that is why the murder happens exactly at midnight. I have to mention that the barn fire happens only every twelve years. The murders happen every 12 months, or one year. I thought about how much that could have been confusing. You still have chores to do?" He asked me.

"That makes sense now. I was lying in bed last night trying to grasp this concept. Yeah I do. I have to refill all of the food when I get home." My voice cracked when I realized what I would have to do upon return. I love animals, but my family makes me do everything and I feel that it's too much for me. I am so restricted, in fact, so much so that I am very shocked that I was able to sneak off to this hoedown.

"Here's the deal; y'all can take home the leftover brisket because I don't want it. I cooked two, so take some home to your folks. I'll come over to y'all's place in an hour and a half or so to monitor the barn. I'll stay there until 1 or so. Is that fine? Does that make you feel better?" He said in a kind manner. I am so determined to end this mystery that I don't even know if it is a hoax or not.

"You don't have to give us the brisket. You sure? Yes! Thank you. I'd really appreciate it if you did that. I just have to do some chores when I get home. Ya know, those animals don't wait for their food. I'll be in the barn." Why would he want to give up his perfect brisket? That is so kind, but on the other hand, he must eat brisket a lot.

Nick shuffled his feet against the dirt ground. It sounded like scratches against a door. "Alright. I have to run home and tell my father, which he'll understand. I'm also gonna get y'all a couple game cameras. We'll hang them in the trees next to the barn."

"Oh thank you. You're so nice. I cannot believe this. One nice cattleman that literally wants to give me the best situation possible." I could barely see his face under the moonlight. His face seemed different, almost perfect.

He leaned up against my truck, which caused me a little anxiety as I did not know his motives. "No, you're the nice one. I've just gotta help ya out. I'd want someone to do the same for me in that situation." His southern accent changed a little in a way that it screamed 'Kentucky'.