Hay Season

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Mattie

He started gambling, and he had always drank. I didn't know how much until I finally saw him sober one time. ~ Susan Sanford ~

We're a mix of The Breakfast Club and Peyton Place, two of my favorite movies. Grace Metalious is a true inspiration for why I write. If I could, I would bring her back to life long enough to ask her the questions I want to ask. She wrote a book that was banned in several places. How awesome is that? I want to write the kind of story that makes people think, that touches a person's humanity in a way that they question who they are when they reach the end. Dewbrige, Mississippi, is the other reason why I write. For a place small in population, it could have its own reality series. It's the town that's been untouched by time until now. There's a love story brewing that has the power to change everything, and I'm going to write it.

~Our Hometown of Dewbridge/Journal Entry by Tad Roberts

___________________________________________________

We're a motley crew, a mix between popularity and rejection. Sitting on the tailgate of my truck, I watch Darby and Thomas talking in the darkness of the park. Preferring to stand, Tad and Devin lean against the sides with their arms crossed. Rylan takes up the space beside me. The silence is deafening. An occasional cry can be heard from Darby, but the pair has walked out of earshot.

"And like Romeo and Juliet, they decide to forsake their families and let true love reign only to find that life is fucking with them," Tad mutters to no one in particular. He sighs before leaning his head back with dramatic flair.

Devin watches him like he's grown a double head before turning his questioning eyes toward me.

"Is he okay?"

I don't spare him a second glance. Instead, my eyes are fixated on Thomas, who has embraced Darby. Their hug is filled with desperation and love.

"He's fine. Lost in dictation but fine."

Rylan remains quiet, but I don't miss the unfinished fries and burger he's sliding in my direction. Shaking my head, he narrows his eyes and mouths the words 'eat.' Instead of arguing, I pick up the discarded food and devour it. Truth be told, I'm starving. Mom will have a plate ready for me when I get home after she's able to get Dad to sleep, but that's a while from now. And I haven't had lunch. I prefer to save the money I have instead of facing the kids I know will whisper about me. No one knows the extent of my father's problems, but they suspect, and suspicions can sometimes be harsher than reality. It makes me a prime target for gossip. Tad mutters under his breath to the point I can almost see the words scrolling across the dark clouds above us. A story is brewing.

"Are you sure he's not high?"

I shrug. "It's always possible. We never know."

With brows raised, he looks at Rylan for confirmation. When he doesn't answer, he looks at me. "Do you smoke?"

"No."

"Drink?"

"No."

"Anything?"

I shake my head, and Devin smiles. "She's perfect."

Rylan punches him hard in the arm, and his yelp catches our friends' attention. It's evident in how Darby's shoulders have relaxed that they've reached a mutual agreement. Turning around, they head in our direction, but not before Thomas leans in and kisses her, a mind-blowing kiss that produces a blush from me. I'm the virgin of the group, the one with the least experience. The others happily whistle.