Blue Mountain Town

Harry's Burger Shack

  The snow that had began to fall continued to until the early dawn the next morning. The Haywood house lay silent but not all occupants asleep. Walker had tossed and turned most of the night, haunted by the happenings of yesterday. He laid awake, staying still as he stared at his ceiling again, and in that brief moment he felt like he could lose himself, like he could lock himself away in the far reaches of his mind. Walker closed his eyes, 'A safe haven,' he thought, '...a prison.' he deduced. As the sunlight seeped into his room through the windows, he could hear the whine of his father's wheelchair wheels as the old man got into it.

"Walker Lee!" He called from the bottom of the steps. The oldest got up from his bed, making his way to the stairs once again, "Yeah?" Walker answered, "Would ya go out and get some firewood, get the fireplace going?" Their father requested and his son nodded, "Yeah." And he headed back into his room to get warmer clothes on. "Hey! Wake your sister up too while ya at it, please." The old man's voice called out to Walker once more.

The fire snapped and popped while pans sizzled on the stove again, and then the phone began to ring. "Priscilla Anne," Their father's voice called, "answer that please!" He finished, "I'm kinda in the middle of cooking, dad!" She called back, "I got it!" Walker interjected before more could be said, quickly hurrying to the phone that hung on the wall. "Hello?.. Oh hey Jolene," he answered, "Oh, well I'm working all day, but afterwards we can all get together, that be alright?" The two carried on in light conversation for a moment. Otis Laughlin never came up.

"Alright, I'll see ya'll at Harry's then. Alrighty, take care Jolene." And with that Walker hung the phone back up in its place and joined his family for breakfast at the table. "What're you gonna get up to today, Jimmy?" Their father asked, and the youngest shrugged, "I reckon I'll hangout with Beau," he paused to get a bite, "Him and Tyler wanna go bow huntin', so I figured we'd do that." He finished, their father nodded, "Reckon ya'll got work, huh?" He looked to Priscilla and Walker, who both nodded to confirm.

"Could I take your truck? Walker works later than I do, and I don't wanna bother Greg for rides all the time," Priscilla questioned. There was a silence before their father nodded, "S'fine, just be careful. And you let me know if you decide to go anywhere before ya come home after work, okay?" It wouldn't be obvious from the outside looking in, but a heavy worry and concern sat in the words their father spoke. Almost an uncertainty as well. "I will, I promise." She responded with assurance and a smile.

The day continued at it's normal boring pace. A few customers still loyal to Fred&Greg's came by to shop and talk with Greg, a few of them sharing conversation with Walker and Priscilla as well. When the afternoon had quieted down again, and after Priscilla had gone, the grocery mart's phone rang, almost exactly on the dot as yesterday. Greg walked to answer it, in no rush at all, and he made casual conversation once the telephone was against his ear. "Hey Walker! Delivery for Mr.Shepherd!" Greg called out once he was off of the phone. Walker made way to the front of the store, grabbing the two bags off the counter to load up in his car.

Before he stepped outside, the Laughlin's pulled up in the front parking spaces. Mrs.Laughlin stepped out of the vehicle, face red and puffy, freshly tearstained cheeks and papers in her hands. The both of them had been crying, Walker could see it, even on Mr.Laughlin, who hid himself away and stared off at nothing in particular. "Oh, excuse me Walker," Mrs.Laughlin's voice was small and quiet as she pardoned herself out of Walker's way, "Can I put some of these up in the store, Greg?" She asked, setting the 'Missing Person' posters down on the counter. "Yes, of course you can Mrs.Laughlin. Would you like some help?" Greg offered, a warming kindness in his words, "Please, if you wouldn't mind." and though Mrs.Laughlin smiled, she looked ready to come apart at any second. Walker waved to them both before loading up the two bags of groceries.