"...The image on top is Hoyt (Charlie) with Thomas, looking badass...!"
After that fateful day between Hoyt and Malika, tension hung thick in the air. Hoyt denied what happened, yet he couldn't shake the memory of the deal. A week passed, and neither Hoyt nor Malika wouldn't even meet each other's gaze. Luda Mae had threatened Hoyt, trying to force him to discuss the incident that led to their present situation.
However, Hoyt remained silent and steadfast.
The screaming match in the Hewitt family's kitchen was so loud that it shook the old walls!
"Mom, I need you to trust my instincts!" Hoyt/Charlie started to say, firmly yet slightly irritated. "We really need to stay away from her!" Hoyt/Charlie stood up from the kitchen chair with determination!
"Ever since we met her, she hasn't been any less than kind and welcoming to our family, Charlie!" Luda Mae reminded her eldest son. She even presented us with thoughtful gifts! It's been ages since we've encountered anything resembling that warmth and generosity!" Her voice quivers, a blend of frustration and deep longing evident in her tone!
"...We're the outcasts in this town, and it felt nice to be treated normally for once..." Monty grumbled under his breath, slightly irritated by Hoyt/Charlie's behaviour! He was applying the lotion offered by Malika on his tumps, carefully...
"No one asked for your opinion! Back off!" Hoyt/Charlie angrily barked at Monty before refocusing his attention on his mother! "Mom, I'm serious, she isn't trustworthy!" Hoyt/Charlie felt a tint of desperation at that moment by trying to reason with his mother!
"That's enough, Charlie Hewitt!" Luda Mae snapped! "You're going to apologize to her!" This shocked her family as Charlie Hewitt was her sweet boy, and she never screamed at him, especially after he returned from the Vietnam War! "I want her my daughter-in-law, married to Tommy and I want grandchildren! If you aren't going marry her or make me grandchildren, you stay quiet!" Luda Mae continued to rant before throwing the dirty dishtowel at Charlie, very angry!
Thomas was in the basement, yet he could hear everything clearly. The conversation made him blush heavily. The idea of having Malika as his future wife didn't seem bad at all. He felt sad because they had suddenly stopped talking for no reason. He had tried to communicate with her during his short breaks. Still, Hoyt always made him busier, preventing that from happening. Usually, he was quite shy about interacting with her, but he didn't want their connection to end.
Malika was one of the rare people outside his family who spoke to him ordinarily. Her smile, laugh, and kind behaviour kept appearing in his mind. He clutched the meat cleaver in his hand, thinking that he couldn't and wouldn't let things end like this. Dropping everything, he marched loudly toward the exit of the Hewitt family home.
Hoyt attempted to stop him, but Thomas looked at him, shaking with anger. Grabbing Hoyt by the back of his shirt, he dragged him toward Malika's house with determination. Luda Mae followed behind, gently calling out to Thomas to calm down, even though she felt sad herself. Monty just trailed the rest of the family, mumbling under his breath about not waiting for him.
As Thomas arrives at Malika's house, he knocks gently while tightly holding onto Hoyt to prevent any chance of escape. Malika opens the door with a smile and greets him with a simple "hello." However, her smile fades when she sees Hoyt looking back at her, with Thomas gripping him by the back of his shirt like a kitten.
As Malika's family arrives at her doorstep, she sighs but gestures for them to come inside. The family settles into the living room on the couches once again. Malika then goes to get fresh lemonade. After serving everyone, she sits down on a sofa.
"So, how may I assist you all today?" Malika asked, gently yet curiously.
Thomas discreetly jabs Hoyt/Charlie in the ribs, maintaining a poker face.
"I'd like to sincerely apologize for my behavior last time. I was caught off guard!" Hoyt/Charlie grumbled, unhappy as he discretely rubbed his bruised side from Thomas's jab.
Malika paused to reflect.
"Malika, please, consider accepting Charlie's apology!" Luda Mae asked, gently, "I promise to speak with him in private about respecting your boundaries!" Luda Mae reassured Malika after sending her oldest son, "You're in so much trouble when we get home!" eyes!
"That possum's on the stump!" Monty laughed, wholeheartedly at Hoyt/Charlie getting scolded like a child, again, after years!
"Hoyt, I forgive you!" Malika spoke, quietly, after a minute or two!
"Are you really sincere, sweetie?" Luda Mae's old eyes brimming with tears.
"Yes." Malika caught Hoyt/Charlie's arm firmly to prevent him from leaving, "And in return, Hoyt will aid me with the paperwork!" she tightened her grip.
Luda Mae wrapped her arms around Malika, making her giggle with joy! Monty playfully teased Hoyt, saying, "Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit!" with a hearty laugh. Malika noticed Thomas glancing at her; he had just spotted the tiny scars on her hands. His expression shifted to one of surprise, and while he didn't say anything, his eyes showed a mix of sadness and anger. It reminded her of the saying about eyes being the windows to the soul. She could see just how he was feeling. With a gentle smile, she mouthed, "Please, don't be sad!" Although Thomas couldn't read her lips, he understood her message perfectly.
Thomas gently approaches her and caresses her back, prompting a chuckle from her. He really is a gentle giant. Luda May watches them with a happy expression, thanking God that everything is returning to normal. Monty asks for something to eat, and Luda May playfully swats him with a dishtowel. Malika requested a moment, then headed to the kitchen and returned with a large casserole of meatloaf leftovers. Luda May insists that she isn't obligated to cater to her brother's whims.
Malika reassured her and said that she disliked wasting food, so, it was fine. Malika placed the casserole on Monty's lap for him to carry.
Before they leave, Malika leans in to whisper something in Luda Mae's ear, and this one nods in response. As they say goodbye at the front door, Malika quickly grabs Hoyt's arm, who is trying to leave discreetly. After closing the door behind her, she turns to Hoyt, sternly.
"...Let's talk business, Charlie Hewitt...!"
"...May the odds be in your favour...!"
YOU ARE READING
Thomas's DarkSkin Girlfriend!
Fanfiction"A wanderer against her will, with no purpose other than to survive, hops from place to place like a wild rabbit. Tired and lonely from her never-ending journey, she moves forward without looking back. Her identity is lost, or perhaps forgotten, and...
