Page 68 of Small Town Beast 2: Saverin's Duet

“Hello,” came the shy reply.

“My name is Tanya.”

“I’m Lorrie. Nice to meet you.”

“Together we add some color to the place.”

Lorrie grinned. “I told Abi I’d be the only one here. But no— there’s that mixed dude that hangs with the Snatch Hills. I forget his name. Don’t go over there if you can help it,” she advised.

“I’d rather lick a cactus,” said Tanya frankly, and Lorrie laughed, glancing quickly towards Absalom, who was across the room talking to another Green Tree.

“Um— you from Florin?” Lorrie asked, turning back to Tanya.

“From Rowanville, but I live here now,” Tanya replied.

“That’s funny. I grew up here but I live in Rowanville.”

No doubt. The girl’s butter-thick country drawl was a dead giveaway of rural roots.

“So, did you come here by yourself?” Lorrie asked curiously.

Tanya pointed. “No. My man is just standing over there.”

“Oh!” The girl’s eyes went round as sand dollars. “That’s Saverin Bailey! His poor face. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be rude. I haven’t seen him in years.”

“It’s alright. I don’t think he’s too self-conscious about it.”

Lorrie nodded. “I heard about his accident. I was so sorry to hear about his brother Sam.”

“So you two know each other?” Tanya asked innocently.

“Oh, back in the day I saw him all the time,” said Lorrie. “His brother used to buy my candy.”

“What kind of candy?” Tanya eyed her warily. Did she meancandy, or candy?

“Caramels, mostly, but Sam Bailey used to like the pecan brittle. Saverin wasn’t much for sweets. They were good boys, but Saverin was always more quiet. I hope he treats you well, honey.”

“He does. He’s been very good to me.”

“I’m so happy to hear that,” Lorrie smiled, with genuine friendliness. “It’s so hard to find love, so you need to hold onto it when you do.”

“You hungry?” Tanya said, driving the subject back to food. Unfortunately she found no ally in Lorraine, who said, “I’m more of a vegetables girl myself, but from the state of those cucumber slices I might have to pass.”

Tanya watched a woman scrape the last slice of cheesecake onto a plate. Her stomach grumbled louder. Lorrie wiped her forehead on the back of her hand.

“You alright?” Tanya frowned.

“I got a problem with those men over there,” said Lorrie nervously. “But it’s my fault, because I told Absalom I was coming here no matter what he said. I’m not scared of them.”

Now Absalom and Hiram were talking in each other’s faces. Even over the music their voices could be heard rising in agitation. Just when shit seemed about to pop off, all eyes swung to the doorway of the dining room. A tall dark-haired man walked in, followed by an elderly black woman who looked like she’d rather be anywhere else on earth.

Tanya rubbed her eyes. “I’m so hungry I’m hallucinating,” she told Lorrie.

Lorrie whispered, “Who is that? She looks like my Aunt Pearl.”

“Wait— you see her, too? I’mnothallucinating?”

Lorrie laughed. “Funny, she kind of looks like you too.”

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