Wrapped around your finger - Post Malone

13

"You! What are you doing in Austin's truck?"

"I stole it. I stole his turkey too," Hazel says pointing at Christmas Dinner who has started pecking at the bag of seeds that Austin apparently so desperately needed. "You know that's a federal crime, right?" Jan says flicking her hair off her shoulder and crossing her arms in a huff. Is this girl for real? "I...uh...I don't know how to respond to that," Hazel says. "Ignore her, that's how we all deal with her," Tina says. Hazel laughs and Jan turns to glare at Tina. "She just admitted to stealing Austin's things and all you have to say is for her to ignore me?" she says. Tina shrugs, "well it's your lucky day then, Jan. You have an excuse to call Austin," she says. Hazel watches as Jan's face lights up and she squeals in excitement. "Yes! Yes, I do! I bet he is just waiting for my call," she sings clapping her hands. "Oh I bet he is just waiting by his phone," Tina says pulling out her phone and typing a message. Jan does not answer as she runs back across the road to obviously phone Austin. Hazel hears Tina's phone beep and then Tina laughs. She holds up her phone for Hazel to read - it's phone messages between her and Austin.

Jan just found an
excuse to phone you.
I made sure to remind
her that she should
absolutely phone you.

Just because your
sorry ass can't hold
down a man does not
mean you can make
my life hell.

Tina chuckles again and then puts her phone away. "I tell you, Miss. It's the small things in life that bring me joy," she says. "My name is Hazel," Hazel says extending her hand out to Tina. Tina takes it and gives it a shake. "Please to meet you, Hazel. Now I have some questions so would you like a coffee?" she says pointing to the diner. "Well, my stolen turkey..." Hazel says pointing to Christmas Dinner. "Oh well, do you have a lead for it? It's the diner's only rule really," Tina explains. "Oh, well in that case," Hazel mumbles as she rummages around in the truck till she finds a piece of string that could double as a lead and ties it around Christmas Dinner's neck. "Come on then," she says opening the truck door and tugging the rope. The turkey comes easily.

The diner is full of cowboys just like the last time she was in there and they stare at her just as they had done last time. She grew up the brunt of her father's annoyance so she has a thick skin and easily ignores the looks. She and Tina sit down in a booth at the back while Christmas Dinner plants his big ass under the table at Hazel's feet. Tina orders two coffees and two cowboy specials for breakfast then slumps into the chair and looks at Hazel with an amused face. "I have to say that I am surprised to see you here and driving Austins truck. He usually drives outsiders off his farm and out of town within minutes," she says opening a packet of sugar and pouring it into her mouth. "Well, I ran my car into a ditch and he has kindly let me stay in his home. In the spare room," Hazel explains. Tina's eyes bulge and she sits forward with a wide smile. "Well, I'll be... I never thought I would see the day that man would play host to anything other than a cold beer," Tina says, licking some sugar granules off her bottom lip. "The man is pretty arrogant. Do you know what made him like that?" Hazel asks. Tina seems to have a pretty good relationship with Austin so maybe if she plays her cards right she could get some good information from Tina. Tina lets out a laugh and crunches the sugar between her teeth. "Austin was born a brooding cowboy. I bet he even had his boots on when he popped out of his mother's tummy. He may come across as a bit of an asshole but if you were ever in a pickle, Austin is your guy. Thanks, Mags," Tina says smiling up at the waitress who is placing their breakfasts and coffees down. "You are welcome, who is this?" Mags asks smiling at Hazel.

"You would not believe me even if I told you," Tina says with a laugh as she opens three sugar packets and pours them into her coffee. "Oh go on, don't be like that," Mags says sliding into the booth next to Tina. "Hey, I need my coffee refilled!" someone shouts from across the diner. "Shut your pie hole, Earl. You will get it when you get it!" Mags shouts back then turns to Hazel with a smile. "So, darlin', where are you from?" she asks. "New York. My name is Hazel," Hazel says taking a sip of her coffee. "New York. Wow. You are pretty far from home," Mags says.  "And! She is a guest at Austin's house," Tina throws in. "Shut up! No, she is not...what? Like in the house?" Mags asks with her mouth dropped open. "In the spare room," Tina adds. "Well I'll be...you must be something special," Mags says. "My coffee!" Earl shouts and Mags rolls her eyes. "Well, I better be off before these boys shit themselves. Nice meeting you, Hazel," Mags says as stands up.

"I take it you both know Austin well then?" Hazel asks as she butters a slice of toast. "Yup. We all grew up together," Tina answers. "So what's the deal with Evelyn? With her mom?" Hazel asks. Tina's eyes roll and she takes a bite of her breakfast. "Class A bitch. Skipped out on them without a trace. Word of advice - don't mention her to Austin, he sees red at just the mention of her name," Tina says around the food in her mouth. "And now Evelyn has been - oh, hold that thought," she says holding up her finger as her phone rings. "Hello, Aus-" Tina answers her phone with a smile, but it drops off her face almost immediately and her eyes flick to Hazel. "Ok...ok...geez, we were just being friendly...ok," she passes the phone to Hazel, "it's for you," she says quietly.

"Hello?"

"You got that list I gave you handy?"

"I do. Right in front of me."

"Great. See number three - calf milk replacer?"

"Yes."

"Well, that needs to be ready for Evelyn's calves' next feed in an hour. So instead of sitting on your sweet ass gabbing like a fucking rich housewife at lunch get to finishing off that fucking list. We have a ranch to run."

"You think my ass is sweet?"

"I don't have time for this shit. One hour."

Hazel chuckles when the connection goes dead and hands back the phone to Tina. "Do you know where I can get all the stuff on this list?" she asks pushing the list across the table to Tina.  Tina reads it and smiles. "Lucky for you I run the farmers' co-op and have all this stuff... except for this last item. Nail polish? That you will have to get at the chemist next door. Let's go, Austin sounded pretty pissed on the phone," Tina says standing. Hazel stands too and tugs on the rope a little, Christmas Dinner lets out a little gobble and then follows her on his chunky legs.