Southern Hospitality

Chapter 4

"Daddy!" Landon ran up to me grabbing my legs 

"Hey kiddo" I smiled looking down at him. He had on a matching tee to mine with similar pants.  For a five year old he was pretty smart and copied everything I did. I loved this kid so much and was grateful everyday for him 

"Hey, Luke... wow what happened to your head" George asked as I stepped inside the house

"Abigail's granddaughter" I mumbled going to the kitchen to get some ice. That small women actually hit me with a plungers then tackled me on the grass. I didn't even see her coming when she tackled me. I was more than pissed off and she had the nerve to say I was a burglar...

"Evelyn?" George asked and I nodded. My best friend started cracking up laughing but I didn't find this funny 

"Yo... Amber's baby cousin did that to you? The sweet city girl" he kept asking as I walked to the couch to sit down 

"Yes now can you stop laughing" I looked at him sternly. Landon jumped on the couch and sat next to me

"Dad! Ms. Abigail  said we were going to go to the carnival this weekend! Are you coming?" Landon asked. Abigail has been saying I need to spend more time with him and work less but bills don't get paid without work. Ms. Abigail has been kind of enough to give me extra task with fixing her house. She's my only customer but treats me the best in this dumb town. 

"I thought you and mom went a few days ago" I asked. Savanah had told me she was taking Landon to that Carnival while I was at work 

"She said you didn't want me to go with her " he said softly. I tried to control my anger but I hated when she spread lies to Landon. Savanah and I didn't have the best relationship but we promised to co-parent for Landon 

"I'm sorry about that bud. There was some miscommunication between us" I rubbed his scalp not wanting to talk bad about his mother 

"It's ok" he whispered but It wasn't

Once he was sleep she was going to hear from me. I'm over here trying  my best but she always finds a way to start drama. He's a child who shouldn't be put in the middle of his parents issues. I regret dating her everyday  she's always been selfish and her parents were worse

"I can put him to bed" George offered as he picked up a sleepy Landon and carried him to the room. I let out a heavy sigh and dialed Savannah's number 

"What Luke" she said through the phone 

"Savanah how many time I got to tell you to stop lying to my son!" I semi yelled knowing Landon was probably still awake 

"I didn't lie and he's my son too! You won't even let me in your house when I come to pick him up" she tried to make an excuse but I wasn't buying it. I've known her for 6 years and she always does this 

"I don't care! He's five years old and notices these things! He deserves a normal childhood" I stressed 

"Luke stop yelling at me! You broke everything we had and refuse to give us another change so don't be mad at me" I cant believe this women. Blaming me for what she did... 

"Savanah you know why we're not together and I'm not going to parent an adult. If you want to be here for your son do that but don't bring up our drama" I said before hanging up and resting my head on the couch 

"I'm guessing she said something again" George asked walking over to me 

"Landon doesn't deserve this man... he's a sweet kid with a fucked up mom" I said rubbing my face. Dealing with Savannah is not easy she makes everything difficult then cries when I stand up to her. I didn't want Landon to go through this all his life. 

...

I woke up early to head over to Abigail's house, luckily she didn't live far from me so the drive would be quick 

"Dad can I please come" Landon begged. He loved going to work with me but I had to say no the boy needed to stay in school 

"Buddy I wish you could but school comes first" I said ruffling his hair. He looked down at the floor sad but went to his room to get dressed. Since I had to leave early George offered to drop Landon at school. 

I got my tool bag ready and headed outside to my truck. She was a beauty and I took good care of her. I started the car and made my way over to the house to finish up those fences and start on the garden. I parked the car near the driveway but saw Ms. Abigail heading out 

"Oh, Luke perfect timing! I'm going out for a while but Evelyn is home so just focus on those fences dear" she said getting in the car before I could respond. I let out a sigh walking inside. 

Luckily her crazy granddaughter wasn't downstairs so I headed outside. 

After about 30 minutes of working I went inside to get a glass of water I felt somebody bump into me and looked down at Evelyn. She had on a small cami with shorts and I tried my best to ignore her clothing it was very... revealing

"Sorry"  i mumbled moving around her to the fridge

"It's nice to see you again and I'm sorry about yesterday" she said behind me. I debated on replaying and just nodded my head thinking there was no point in small talk. I was over it and had a job to do

Leaving the kitchen her small feet walked me outside and watched as I went back to work. She sat outside with me for a minute and I becoming uncomfortable. "Do you need something" I asked turning to look at her

"Ummm, no. Just curious on what you're doing" she replied but I didn't buy that. If Evelyn was like her grandmother I assume both had to be nosy. When I first started working for Abigail she grilled me into telling her about my life and Landon. The town talks a lot so rumors spread I  didn't care for that bullshit but when it started affecting my son I got anger. Evelyn was new to town but I bet she already heard all the rumors 

"Well if you want to know I'm reinstalling the fence" I told her controlling my temper. She's done nothing to me so I don't need to be rude

"Ohhh... ummm if you get hungry there are some cookies on the table. Nana and I baked them as an apology for the other day" she said shyly. I nodded my head and watched her head back inside.