The Thunder Rolls

Chapter 1

" The house was built in 1830 and was maintained well until about 50 years ago. It's a really good house still tho."

The chubby man told me as the wind picked up and a shudder fell off the window. I didn't have many options. And at the price he was asking I wasn't complaining.

" I can give you the number to the construction worker in town. If ya want."

" I'll take it"

He looks at me bewildered

" I'll take the house and the number as well."

" ok great. We can sign all the papers at the office tomorrow. You can go ahead and have it tonight. It's about to storm, it's pretty common here on the bayou every evening. The wind is picking up so be careful dear. Don't let your little girl venture off to far, the gators will eat her."

He hands me the keys and a card with a name and number of the construction guy in town, and walks to his car and pulls away. I stand there with a tiny child clinging to my leg and my blonde hair blowing increasingly stronger in the wind. The house I just bought isn't huge, but it isn't small either. It's a beautiful creole cottage and I couldn't be happier.

I open all the windows in the house as the rain starts to pour and the lighting brightens the night. I make a mental note off all the things I need to do and get in town the next day. First thing on that list is a broom. The hardwood floors are horrible, splinters everywhere. I wouldn't let Stella take her shoes off at all. Furniture was pretty high on the list as well, but as soon as I laid down on the sleeping bag I laid out for us to sleep on, bug spray or citronella candles quickly went to top of the list.

I couldn't sleep while Stella quietly snored next to me. I laid there staring at the ceiling, listening to the tree frogs outside and the rain softening. My mind was racing and once again sleep escaped me. We had been through so much leading me to this humid unfurnished, delapedated house, and yet I didn't know how to feel about it. I was happy that Stella was young enough that she wouldn't miss or even remember her father, and that he was the reason that we were here and on our own. But at the same time I was sad that she had seen so much and lived such a nomadic life at such a young age. I wanted so much more for her.

I was able to give her the world now that I had gotten away from her father. I spent the last 4 months circling the United States just to throw him off my trace. I finally found a place well hidden and small enough to settle. Anacoco, Louisiana, with a population of 850, Right on the bayou. It was so peaceful and quiet, really beautiful. Everyone knew everyone and I knew that if I built up relationships here, if my ex ever came looking here id know before he found me.

Between the bug bites and my thoughts I hadn't slept a wink by the time the sun rose. I had to get an early start on the day. I decided to travel to town early and see where the closest place was to buy furniture. Stella needed a bed, not the floor. And I would need a job as soon as possible. I walked outside and grabbed all the clothing I had accumulated over the past few months and brought them inside. I put Stella in her car seat and decided to call the carpenter early in the day as I drove my suv into town. I had clearly woken him up.

"What?!"

"Oh I'm sorry. I was given your number by the man I bought a house from yesterday, he said you were the person to get in touch with about fixing the house. Is this a bad time?"

" No. Sorry. It's early. I'll call back in a few hours and get your information. " he grumbled

Well ok. Maybe it would be harder to fit In in this town than I thought. As I drove around the town I saw, nothing. Finally I saw a dollar store and pulled in. The woman behind the counter was old and grey and a kind as could be.

" Hello. I'm Elle May. I've never seen you before how are you?"

" I'm good. I just moved here. My name is Harlow and this is my daughter Stella. I bought a house not to far from here back in the woods and I need to fix it up, so I'm looking for some stuff. I need furniture and just household stuff. Could you help me?"

" Well of course darlin! Bless your heart y'all are precious. You can't be but a baby?"

I laughed. Old women are so cute

" I'm 24. Stella is only 2."

" You are a baby! Well darlin the household stuff you can get here. Cleaning supplies, brooms, mops, buckets, isle 4. Food all here. Some clothes and stuff, makeup and shower stuff all here even kitchen supplies isle 2. We have some curtains and shower curtains not to fancy tho, isle 6.
" We don't have furniture darlin. You will need to travel to leesville for furniture. You can get some cheap beds and couchs stuff like that at the Walmart just take Shreveport hwy straight there. Now fixing up your house you will need to call Dean. He's a carpenter. He's really good at fixing everything. He travels to Alexandria and Lafayette all the time to work on them fancy homes. He's also my grandson."

" Wow, thank you Elle May. What about a day care or a job. Know any thing about where I'd find those?"

" Yea, the daycare is right off plantation dr. And the job you should probably check out Ron's. It's the restaurant right down the road there. "

" What about the bugs? Anything for that? "

" Sleeping net baby girl we have them. But if you want a nice one get it at Walmart if you're going before you go to bed tonight"

I thanked her and got cleaning supplies and told her I would come back on my way back through town for food. I stopped at the daycare to enroll Stella and grabbed an application at Ron's. I told him I would fill it out and return it to him the next day but he said 'I'm not havin none of that' and hired me on on the spot for breakfast and lunch shift after learning I had a daughter and was single. I was incredibly grateful since daycare was Monday through Friday and not at night.
We left there and headed down Shreveport hwy. things were finally looking up was all I could think as I looked in the rear view mirror at my beautiful daughter in the backseat as she staired out the window.