Silicone

Breaux Bridge, Louisiana

                         Nelly sighed as she unbuckled her seat belt, looking at the small, rickety home she was about to move in. It did, however, have character. Nelly's mother stepped out of the Optima, smiling wild.

"Isn't it gorgeous?" She asked, grinning. "I absolutely love Louisiana!" She beamed, walking towards the house, following the broken down stones that led up to the crumbly brick stairs.

The house was nice, in its own ways. It's white paint had been chipped, and the shudders were taken over by wasp nests. 

"Are you kidding?" Nelly asked, smacking at her arm, where a large mosquito had landed. She frowned. "I hate mosquitoes. But we HAD to move to Louisiana, out of all the states available." Nelly groaned, and she stepped out of the Optima, going to the trunk to collect her luggage. 

She rolled in her luggage, it bumping with every step. Nelly paused, turning around. She looked at the small town of Breaux Bridge. It was a lot different than the crowded New York. She hadn't even seen the first rat, yet.

Nelly walked up the stairs, pulling her heavy luggage along with her. "I guess this is okay," she said, quiet enough that her mother couldn't hear. 

She pushed open the creaky screen door, stopping dead in her tracks. Her hand came to her mouth. A large, black snake was curled up right in front of the "Welcome" mat. "Oh MY GOD!" She screamed, dropping her luggage, making a run for the door. She jumped off of the porch, running out onto the road. "Nope, nope, nope!" Nelly screamed. 

"What's the matter with you?" Nelly's mom, Sharon, asked. She walked in, and came right back out. "Oh.. I see." Sharon stepped off of the steps, and walked next door, knocking on the neighbors front door.

A dark man came out, a large straw hat sitting a top of his bald head. "What can I do for ya' ma?" The man had a thick, thick Cajun accent. Nelly could barely make out what he said.

Sharon remained calm. "Snake." She pointed to her house. "Ah, ya' found Bobby?" He asked, chuckling, heading over to the shack. He walked in, and came out, the black snake slung across his shoulders. "Don't mind him, eh." 

Nelly could taste the bile in her throat. How could he carry such a creature? "He won't bite, eh. How bout' yall come in for some  pop. I'll tell ya' bout the place, eh."

Nelly furrowed her eyebrows. "What's 'pop'?" She asked, tilting her head to the side. 

"Soda.. What did they teach ya back at where ya came from, eh?" The man shrugged his shoulders. "Ma' name is Hunter," he said, walking into his house, motioning for Nelly and Sharon to join him. 

They followed. 

Inside, it was warm. The interior of the home consisted of mostly brown, and there were snake containers around the house. Nelly was absolutely terrified. They entered the kitchen, a dimly lit room with a small chunky table, and 3 chairs. 

"Take a seat, eh." Hunter said, laughing. Hunter was tall, about 6'3, 6'4. He was older, Nelly had guessed about 70-something. 

Nelly and Sharon sat down, smiling. He sat down. "Oh, yeah. I forgot about the pop." He walked over to the refrigerator. He tried to open the door, but it was stuck shut. "Sorry bout it, the ice box is old." He said, finally pulling it open.

Nelly tilted her head. They had weird names for things. Soda, pop. Refrigerator, Ice box. County, parish. It was strange. 

Hunter handed them each a coke, and sat down. "Okay, let me tell ya' a bit bout' Breaux Bridge." Nelly straightened herself, ready to listen.

"Breaux Bridge..." Hunter began talking, and it seemed like he wouldn't stop. He went over the basic feel of the town, and how everyone knew everyone. "Yuns will like it here." He smiled. His eyes settled on Nelly.

"Ya want a gift?" He asked. "Follow me." He stood, and walked down a dark hall way, walking into a dark room on the left. He switched the light on, and walked over to an old doll house.

Nelly grinned. "Wow, that's gorgeous!" She smiled, setting a dainty hand on the roof. "Nice.." She smiled. She had always had a thing for antiques. 

Hunter smiled. "You want it, girl?" He asked, smiling, revealing a set of teeth. 

Nelly grinned. "Yes, please."