Wrapped around your finger - Post Malone

11

When Hazel wakes up she can see it's dark outside. When she checks the clock it's after 9 pm. She came to bed at about 3 pm. She is not a day sleeper but the last time she had gotten this badly sunburnt she had been a kid during a holiday at the beach. Her mother had fussed over her for days. She misses her mother. She closes her eyes, her head hurts and her back is on fire. She hears her bedroom door open slowly but she keeps her eyes closed. She does not know why, she just does - she feels a little silly maybe, and is not ready to face any mocking.

"I can't believe you pushed her so hard, dad," Evelyn whispers. "I didn't. That hard-headed woman pushed her limits herself," Austin hisses back. "Oh so she just stood there and let the sun burn her to a crisp, that makes sense," Evelyn shoots back. "Yes, Evelyn that is exactly what she did. I thought she would give up after ten minutes out there. Instead, she stupidly pushed through," Austin whispers back. "Sounds like she gave you a run for your money," Mr. Post whispers. Evelyn giggles a little. "I agree," she says. Geez, how many people are standing outside her bedroom door just whispering about her? Her door closes and she opens her eyes and then sits up. It's painful and her skin pulls every time she moves. "Cathy, you silly cow just look at me. I look like a fried tomato," she says and stands slowly. She is going to shower and then hopefully everyone will be in bed and she can sneak a snack in peace. She opens her bedroom door, the house is dark and quiet - a good sign.

She creeps into the bathroom and climbs into the shower. She turns on the water but keeps the stream lite and cold - it's amazing on her hot skin. When she is done she turns off the water and pats her skin dry then puts on a loose-fitting top and shorts. She opens the bathroom and sees the house is still quiet. She can see the light under Evelyn's bedroom door is off but Austin's light is still on so she is extra quiet as she tiptoes down the stairs to the kitchen. She opens the fridge, rummaging through a few shelves but can't find anything that takes her fancy. So she closes the fridge and then jumps with fright when she sees Austin leaning against the kitchen counter with his arms crossed. "You scared me," she says clutching her chest. "Sorry," Austin says pushing off the kitchen counter and opening the fridge. "Sit," he says as he digs through the fridge, pulling out various containers then closes the fridge door.

Hazel sits down and then watches as Austin makes two ham and cheese sandwiches. "Milk, water, or juice?" he asks opening the fridge. "Um...water please," she says. Austin pulls out a jug of milk and pours a glass then hands it to her with the sandwich. "Oh, uh thank you but I asked for water," she says pushing the glass of milk toward him. "I know," Austin says and pushes the glass back to her. Then he sits down and starts eating his sandwich opposite her. Hazel watches him for a moment and then takes a bite of her sandwich. They sit and eat in silence, it's weird but the silence is not uncomfortable. After they finish Hazel stands up and collects their plates, putting them in the sink. Then turning around to face Austin. "I made a fool of myself...I am sorry for undermining you today...I have a bit of a pride problem," Hazel says, hoping Austin won't think she is any more of a fool than she already is.

He leans back in his chair and crosses his arms. His closed lips stretched into a smile - not a smirk but a genuine smile. "When I was 17 my mother fell ill. We had to do a cattle drive over a distance of 200 miles. I had done it every year with my mother as a child and felt my mother had undermined me when she employed farm hands to ride with me. So I, along with my bruised ego, fired them all and chose to do the cattle drive myself. I broke my leg on the rough terrain and needed to be airlifted out. My injury cost the farm a year's profit." he says. Hazel's eyes widen at his confession and she sits in the chair next to his, grinning. "That's way worse than what I did today. I may have been stupid, but you were stupid and dumb," she says.

"Stupid and dumb are the same thing."

"Yeah, and you were both!"

"I shared a story of solidarity with you and your response is to mock me?"

"Absolutely."

Austin bites his bottom lip in an attempt to hide the smile that is threatening to burst. He stands and takes a piece of paper that had been stuck onto the fridge with a magnet and turns to face Hazel. "I told you that I did not like you. But you have earned some of my respect today - still stupid, but respect earned nonetheless. I dislike you a little less," he says. "Oh, thank you...I think," Hazel answers him. He then hands her the piece of paper. "What's this?" she asks taking the paper. "That is a list of things I need from town for the ranch. That is your job tomorrow. I would suggest you get a hat and sunblock while you out and about in town," he says turning for the kitchen door. "But, but I am all sunburnt and shit," Hazel complains. Austin stops and turns back to face her then taps his head, "hat," he says. Hazel rolls her eyes at him. "I know that's why you suggested the hat. I am not stupid. But I am in pain here. I need a few days to recover," Hazel defends herself. Austin sighs and runs his hand through his hair, clenching his jaw. She gets on his last nerve, she can see it.

"Are you dead?"

"What?"

"I said. Are you dead?"

"Well, no! You can dam well see I am alive."

"Well then, if you are not dead then you are well enough to work. This is a ranch, not a holiday park."

"Oh really? Well, what happened when you had a broken leg? Did you work then?" she snorts and rolls her eyes. She got him there - there is no way he would have worked with a broken leg. Austin pinches his nose and takes a deep breath then looks back at her. "Don't need your leg when you are riding on the back of a horse now do ya, darlin'," he says tipping his imaginary hat at her and disappearing back upstairs to the bedrooms. Well, this is just fucking great.