Her Southern Charm

When Erin had just turned sixteen her mom broke the news to her that they would be moving to the “middle of nowhere,” Nebraska. Erin’s mom insisted that this would be a great fresh start for them, but would never admit that the real reason was because she had an affair with her boss, and after it ended badly she couldn’t get another job within the city so she decided to move as far away as possible.

The first time Erin saw the house, a pale brown shack with holes in the roof, a piece of shit her mom referred to as “a fixer upper,” she instantly missed the city. For the first two weeks after moving there, Erin struggled to adjust to a small house with no A/C, broken pipes and so much open land surrounding them she felt as if she was stuck on a newly discovered planet. With school being out for the summer Erin was left alone most of the day, tasked with unpacking.

Erin was busy in the kitchen unpacking multiple boxes, she stacked the biggest plates and picked them up, carrying them to the cupboards that hung on the wall next to the oven. She balanced the plates against her chest with one hand, and used the other to open the cupboard. As she did, a small snake inside hissed at her, causing her to jump back and let out a shriek. Luckily she only dropped one plate before putting them back on the table and fleeing the house.

She sat outside in her yard, pulling out the weeds that surrounded her. She sat in silence for sometime before hearing the hollow thudding of hooves coming towards her. She looked up to see a young girl riding a large horse. The girl had beautiful, long red hair that was in a fishtail braid, but the rest was covered by a tan cowboy hat. She smiled down at Erin before jumping off of her horse, Erin stood to greet her.

“Hi, there.”

“Hi.” Erin replied.

“I’m Eve. I live just up those hills there,” Eve pointed towards the East, “on my family's cattle ranch.”

Erin nodded, “I’m Erin, my mom and I just moved here…”

“A few weeks back, yeah, my mama met yours at the market yesterday. But to be honest she knew about Mr. Holland selling this place months ago. She would’ve been here the day y’all arrived but I insisted she let y’all settle in first.”

Erin smiled sheepishly, leading them both into an awkward silence.

“Anyway,” Eve interjected before reaching into her saddle bag and pulling out a container of biscuits, she handed them to Erin, “she made some biscuits for y’all. They’re delicious of course, but just understand with these comes an invitation to join us for supper.”

“Thanks. I’ll have to check with my mom to see what night we can ‘join y’all for supper.”’

Eve laughed at Erin’s forced accent, “If I didn’t know better I’d say you were makin’ fun of me.”

Erin smiled, “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.”

“No it’s alright.”

“Are you in high school?”

“No, not me. Us ‘country folks’ just learn off the land, you know?” Eve replied, sarcastically.

Erin looked at her, confused, before laughing after she understood the joke.

“I’ll be a Junior this year.” Eve said.

“Me too. Not excited to be the new girl again.”

“Again?”

“Yeah, we’ve moved a lot.”

Eve nodded, “Well, if you want to meet some more people from town, we’re having our annual chili cook-off tonight.”

“Chili cook-off?”

“Yeah, there’s a live band, and dancing, Mrs. Wellers bakes like twenty different pies. It’s a lot of fun, you should come.”

“Yeah, I’ll...I’ll try my best.”

Eve smiled slightly, “Sure.” Eve grabbed hold of her horse's reins and prepared to climb on.

“Wait!” Erin called after her, “Are you...um, good with snakes?”

Erin stood on the porch gripping her tub of biscuits tightly. She jumped slightly as Eve kicked open the screen door holding a small garden snake. Erin squeamishly backed away from her, Eve held up the snake and smiled.

“You were afraid of this little guy? He’s adorable!”

“Yep, that’s great. Can you get it away from my house please?”

Eve laughed to herself as she walked down the steps and off the porch, “If you find any more of these little guys hanging around, feel free to give me a call and I’ll be right over.”

“Oh, but I don’t have your number.”

“I left it for you on the fridge.”

Erin smiled, “Well, thanks for that, and…” she held up the biscuits, “and these, of course.”

“So, I’ll see you tonight, right?”

Erin thought for a moment, “Yeah...yeah I think I can make it.”

“Of course, if it’s not too much trouble.” Eve said jokingly.

Erin smirked, “No...no, I’ll be there.”

“Okay, then, I’ll see you tonight.”

Erin watched Eve carry the snake away from her house, setting it free in a neighboring field. Erin turned around and opened the screen door, before entering she looked back at Eve and admired her tenacity.

Erin shook her head, “Fucking Nebraska.”

Erin’s mom came home a few hours later, “Hi, honey!” She shouted as she walked through the door.

“Hey.” Erin replied through a mouth full of biscuit.

“What are those?” Erin’s mom asked excitedly when she saw the half eaten tub of biscuits.

“Um, Eve’s mom made them for us.”

“Eve?”

“Yeah, she said you met yesterday at the market.”

Her mom thought for a moment, “Oh! Mary Anne, she was really nice, she thought you two might get along.”

Erin nodded.

“So did you? You know, get along with Eve?”

“Yeah, she was...helpful. Got a snake out of the house and everything.”

“A snake?!” Erin’s mom asked, surprised. She noticed the note Eve left on the fridge with her number, she pointed to it, “Oh, I see you guys got along real well, huh?” She looked back at Erin and smiled.

Erin dropped her half eaten biscuit back into the tub, “Stop.”

Her mom laughed, “So are you already filled up on biscuits or should we order some pizza.”

“Um, actually Eve said that they’re having a chili cook-off in town and invited me.”

“I’m kind of tired, honey, I thought we could just stay in, maybe watch some movies.”

“Well, if you are too tired maybe I can just take the car and go by myself.”

Erin’s mom pondered for a moment, “I don’t know…”

“Come on, mom, this would be the perfect way for me to meet some new friends...maybe not be the creepy loner when the school year starts.”

Her mom sighed, “Fine.” Erin smiled and rushed to the front door, grabbing her jean jacket and putting it on, her mom walked up behind her holding up the car keys, “Be home by eleven, and drive slowly, these back roads aren’t lit and I don’t want you coming home with an antler stuck to the grill.”

Erin turned around, “Thanks mom.” She said as she snatched the keys away from her mom. Erin pushed open the screen door and started the car, pulling out of the driveway with a screech.

Erin was excited when she was driving to the center of town, but as soon as she reached her destination and realized how many people were there she got very nervous. She walked around the town square and passed many booths offering pies, games and so much chili. Erin was finally able to locate Eve, but she was surrounded by a group of friends. Erin considered approaching them but was too anxious to talk to Eve in front of other people.

She took a step forward before turning on her heels and walking away. She only took a few steps before she heard Eve calling after her.

“Erin, wait!”

Erin stopped walking, Eve walked around her so she could face her. Eve now had her hair down in loose curls, her hair bounced as she walked.

“I was afraid you wouldn’t show up.” Eve joked with a smile.

Erin smirked, “And miss ice cream sundae flavored pork rinds, never.”

Eve laughed, “So are you hungry?”

“I may have filled up on biscuits.”

“Do you want to play any games?”

Erin shook her head, “I...I don’t know.”

“Oh! Let’s dance, you have to like dancing?”

Erin stuttered while trying to say no, but before she could Eve grabbed hold of her hand and dragged her to the busy dance floor.

“But, um...it’s a slow song.” Erin protested.

“Yeah, I know. That’s kind of the point.” Eve said with a charming smile before grabbing Erin’s hand, while also placing a hand on her waist and pulling her close.

Erin and Eve danced for a few moments in silence, Erin focused on her feet fearing that she would trip them both. But, when she finally raised her head she was met by Eve’s beautiful smile. They looked into each other's eyes, almost forgetting that there were others around them.

“So, do you like it here so far?” Eve asked.

Erin smiled, “It’s pretty different from the city.”

“Yeah but, I’m sure there’s a few things here you can...warm up to.”

Eve gave Erin a flirtatious smile before leaning in to give her a kiss. Erin was surprised, but lifted her chin to meet Eve’s lips, but before their lips could touch they both pulled away and turned toward the loud mouth next to them.

“Great, the new girl is a dyke.” Bobby said, making his friends laugh.

Erin stepped back from Eve as she stepped towards the bully, “Shut up, Bobby!”

“I mean, I ain’t surprised. Aren’t all city folk queer these days?” Bobby said with a full mouth of cherry pie.

“Let’s just go.” Eve said, reaching for Erin’s hand.

Erin quickly recoiled, pulling her hand away from Eve. Erin walked past Eve and towards the exit.

“Erin, wait.” Eve called after her.

Erin turned to face her, “I should've stayed home, I don’t belong here with you country-bumpkin freaks.”

Eve looked shocked, without another word Erin rushed to her car and left the cook-off. On her way home Erin couldn’t help but cry. She tried to keep herself calm, but tears continued to fall. She tried her best to wipe her face while keeping her eyes on the road, she wiped her eyes with her sleeve and when she opened them she gasped and slammed on the brakes.

The car stopped only inches from hitting a full grown bull that was crossing the road. Erin watched as the bull slowly passed in front of her car and disappeared in the darkness. She couldn’t help but laugh as she pressed her forehead against the steering wheel.

With her eyes closed she let out a deep sigh, “Fucking Nebraska.”

Erin turned the car around and headed back to the cook-off, taking the bull as a sign that she might owe a pretty red head an apology. When she made it back she sat on the hood of her car all night until the cook-off was over. Eve walked to the parking lot with her friends, she noticed Erin and told hr friends good night before walking over to Erin’s car and sitting next toher on the hood.

“So I take it you didn’t have much fun?” Eve asked.

“I’m not really a chili person.” Erin joked.

“I’m sorry about Bobby.”

Erin shrugged, “I’m sorry I called you a country bumpkin freak.”

Eve laughed, “Hey, give it some time, maybe you’ll be one too.”

“Probably sooner rather than later, cause like you said,” Erin turned towards Eve, she smiled as they looked into each other’s eyes, “there’s a few things here I’ve already...warmed up to.” Erin gently put her hand on Eve’s face, pulling her in for their long awaited kiss.