Wrapped around your finger - Post Malone

64

"Well this place is really something," Mr. Montague says stepping out of his car. "Get off my land!" Austin shouts pointing the shotgun at him. It's much bigger than the rifle and Hazel knows there won't be any warning shot from that thing. "Not a very warm welcome. Is that any way to treat family?" Mr. Montague asks. "Family?" Jack says under his breath. Austin lowers his shotgun and looks at Hazel, confused. Hazel sighs and steps forward. "Austin this is my father. Mr. Montegue, Austin," Hazel says gesturing between them. Austin hands his shotgun to Ace, wipes his hand on his shirt, and puts it out for him to shake. "Sir," he says before Hazel can stop him. Her father does not deserve any of Austin's respect. "Wow. Strong grip there...like steel," her father says taking his hand back and shaking it out. "What are you doing here?" Hazel asks, slipping her hand into Austins. "You said no suits and I am a man of my word, look," he says sweeping his hand over his body. He is in jeans and a t-shirt. "I got a hat too," he adds reaching back into the car and pulling out a Stetson.

Hazel stares at him.

"Ok. Ok. I just came to see for myself why you wanted this place. It's pretty...in the middle of nowhere, but still - it's nice...ish. Oh, and this," he says handing her a document. Austin takes it from her and starts reading it. "You will never hear from another suit again. My name is on there and so you know it's good," her father says. Austin frowns as he reads it and then looks up at Hazel, shocked. "You did this? This...this is a bad business deal. Mount Eve is not worth a quarter of what you paid...lost. You've given everything you have away," he says. "That's what I said," Mr. Montegue says, swatting at a fly. Hazel cocks her head and smiles at Austin.

"Let me tell you how it works out here in the country. Children play in the rivers and eat fruit from trees then work the fields hard. The men are built like bulls and have hands of steel while the woman are sweet and softly spoken...most of the time. Out here we hold honor and respect in high regard and sleeping past four in the morning is considered lazy. We birth our animals, work them, and then lay them to rest in the land and promise to care for their kin. Our horses are wild and free - offering friendship and loyalty of their own free will, turkeys too, and when we make promises you best believe they will never be broken - no matter the pain. Our cowboys ride hard and love soft, our fathers protect and our mothers hands are always soft. Thinking with your heart is just as important as thinking with your head, out here you could fall in love at first glance. Age is measured by a baby's cry, a first kiss, or a greying beard. The value we place on our land is not that of money but rather by the moments spent on them, and the memories we make. I have lost nothing but gained everything. I will watch you ride, I will watch Evelyn grow and one day when I am an old woman I will lay down next to my rancher under the old oak tree until I meet him again and we start our next story... together."

Austin drops the paper and pulls Hazel to him, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her, deeply. Eventually and all too soon they part when Mr. Post clears his throat. "Well, that was uh...informative and a tad obscene," Mr. Montegue feels the need to say. Hazel hears the kitchen door open behind her then Austin shakes his head, "she never listens," he whispers. Hazel looks at Austin and then he gives her a tight nod. Hazel turns and waves Evelyn to her side. "Hello, and who might you be?" Mr. Montegue asks. "I am Evelyn...these are my parents," Evelyn says softly. "Is that so? Well then..." Mr. Montegue looks at her with a soft smile then goes down on his haunches in front of her. "Evelyn. This is your grandfather," Hazel informs her. Evelyn surprises them all by putting her arms around his neck. "I am good with the pops I got. But it's nice to meet you," she says. "It's nice to meet you too, Evelyn," Mr. Montegue says then stands. "Well...I best be off. Companies to run, countries to buy. It was nice meeting you all," he says looking around then back at Hazel. "I meant what I said in my office, Hazel. I loved your mother and I was a terrible father to you but it was never you that drove my shitty attitude, I was an asshole...still am. Your family won't be bugged again, it's a small promise but it's something. I...I know what you did for Cathy...sat with her as she passed so she wasn't alone. You didn't have to do that, but you have more of your mother in you than me and I am thankful for that," he says. Hazel lets go of Austin's hand and wraps her arms around her father's neck. "Thank you, Mr. Montegue," she says hugging him. Then steps back and takes Austin's hand again. They watch as he climbs back in his car and drives off. She doesn't ever think she will see him again, but she is alright with that - he is a suit no matter how he dresses.

"Can we eat now? I"m starvin'," Evelyn says taking her grandfather's hand. They turn and walk back into the house and once again the kitchen comes alive with laughter and chatter as they pass around the food. Tina and Mags join midway through dinner and Austin watches on while Hazel, Mags, Tina, and Linda cry as Tina announces that the doctor has confirmed she is having a boy, well two boys, she is having twins. Then Jack cries.