Barnes Ranch

11

"We are who we are! We're dancing like we're d-d—dumb!" Georgia belches from the passenger seat.

I finish, "Our bodies going n-n-n-numb. We'll be forever y-y-y-young!"

"We are who we are!" we both scream.

Georgia dances as I drive. Both of us yelling the song that was played at every high school party we ever attended.

As we enter town I enter the drive thru of the only Starbusts (that's for copyright reasons) around.

"Hey rockstar, what do you want?" I ask.

She looks at the menu as she now leans over me, pulling back she answers, "A strawberry açaí with lemonade and no fruit."

I nod, the speaker sounding, "Hello welcome to Starbusts what would you like today?"

"Hello I'd like 2 trenta strawberry açaí refreshers with lemonade and no fruit please," I tell her.

The woman says, "Okay that will $15.84, please pull forward."

I pull up to the window then pay, as the drive thru window closes Georgia asks, "So mom said you went out with friends last night."

I glare at her, "Did she?" I ask.

She nods, the sound of the window opening takes my attention.

"And here are your drinks, have a blessed day," the woman says.

I grab our drinks then start my drive to the church.

"You don't have any friends so spill," she says.

I scoff as I roll my eyes, "Thanks Georgia."

She shrugs, "I mean it's the truth. Stop deflecting! Who was he?"

"No one, just drop it," I tell her.

I don't tell my family about my boyfriends. Last time I did my boyfriend cheated on me with a girl Buck paid to seduce him. I also want this relationship to last so I think I'll wait a little longer. My dad can be quite intimidating.

I pull into the parking lot of the only southern Baptist church in this part of town. The other one currently shut down due to squatters, don't ask.

I park next to my parent's truck to see my brother's on the other side of the lot.

Oh that's great!

Georgia and I get out of my truck then meet our family at Buck's truck.

"I see cowboy hats are back in style," says Savannah targeting my white hat.

It matches my outfit and she wouldn't know a thing about being country. She's a city girl through and through. I may have went to Stanford but I grew up hunting my own meat because my brother thought it was disgusting. No wonder he married a yuppee.

I sigh, ignoring her.

My dad says, "Alright now, let's have a good day at church. Kids no fighting."

Georgia and I both glare at Buck.

"That wouldn't be a problem if Alaska wasn't here," Buck says.

I roll my eyes, "Shut your cake hole."

My dad can't help but laugh at the remark I just made.

My momma sighs, "Lord I pray they don't start a war in there."

My dad and I start walking together.

"How was your girls night out?" dad asks.

I say, "It was good."

He smiles, "I'm happy you reconnected with some of your friends."

I say, "Thank you dad."

He opens the door for me, which I hope he didn't because I see just about every kid from my high school.

As I walk in I feel stares which makes me feel how I did every day of high school: self conscious. It makes me want to curl into a little ball.

Wait, I was valedictorian, and the best female athlete three years in a row. Fuck them, excuse my language.

My dad leads me and the rest of the family to the front two rows. Him, my mom, Buck, and Savannah sitting with all of the other firefighters in the front while Georgia and I sit in the row behind. The sermon not starting for another 10 minutes.

One of my dad's fire fighters turn around to face Georgia and I.

"Welcome back Alaska," he says.

I smile, even though I have no clue who he is, "Thank you!"

"You know my son went to school with you, I think you guys would get along great," he says.

Georgia asks, "How old is he?"

"23," the man answers.

"Send him my way," she says.

Our dad chimes in, "Enough playing match maker with my daughters Bill."

Georgia and I both giggle quietly.

The pastor finally takes the podium. Signaling everyone that talking time is over. Us southerners take church very seriously, especially the Southern Baptist, which is what we are.

The sermon is short and simple but powerful. Love thy neighbor, which right now in this world is hard.

As it finishes my mother stays afterwards and talks with the pastor along with other church goers. Which means that all of us have to stay. Our mother is a big part of the community, she participates in church and is know to help law enforcement as best she can, donations, food, etc.

As we wait I hear whispering, most of it random stuff but some of it talking about me. In this town if people leave for a place like Stanford they don't come back, and if they do it's not for good reason. I happen to be the exception.

Savannah complains as we wait near the entrance, "Come on let's go, my morning sickness is kicking in."

She's 5 months, that doesn't make sense unless she has a bad case. But she's also not showing much. Is she lying?

I lean over to Georgia, "Was there any proof she is actually pregnant?"

She nods, "Yeah, they made sure to show all 7 of their positive pregnancy tests."

The sheriff comes over with my dad, I've know him since I was first forming sentences. He's a nice guy. He's the one who scared Georgia straight after her drinking incident.

"Alaska! How nice it is to see you've come back!"

I smile, "Thank you sheriff! How's things been?" I ask.

He shrugs, his thumbs hooked on his belt loops, "You know same old, same old."

"I must say kid you've matured. Look a lot older now, in a good way obviously," he compliments.

I've gotten that from a lot of people, I mean I know I've changed a lot physically but wow. Didn't know it was that noticeable.