Out of the Bayou: Secrets

Four

Magnolia

I went upstairs to my room after checking the food to put my school bag away. I grabbed some clothes and set them in the bathroom so I could take a bath after this horrible day. As I went to shut the door, I heard a noise from downstairs. It was a little early for my dad to be home from work. Taking a deep breath, I went down to see what was going on. Hopefully it’s my mom because I was so ready to wash this day away. When I got to the bottom of the stairs, I looked around to see what was going on. Nothing was out of place, so I walked to the kitchen. In the kitchen there was nothing but the food cooking. As I turned to go back upstairs, I knocked a cup off the counter. It landed on the floor breaking. I went to grab the broom and dustpan to clean it up. As I was throwing the glass in the garbage can, my mom walked into the kitchen with grocery bags.

“Are you okay baby? What happened?” asked my mom as she sat everything down.

“I’m not sure. I heard a noise and when I came to check it, I knocked this cup on the floor.” I explained.

My mom wrinkled her nose with a disgusted look on her face but did not say anything.

“So, what did you get at the store? Anything good to snack on?” I asked with a grin.

My mom let out a giggle and said, “Your dad’s beer and I might have picked up this Oreo cake.”

“Oh yea” I sighed with content. “I so needed a chocolatey cake.”

“After supper, Nola.” My mom said with a tsk.

“Fine. I’m going take a bath” I said with disappointment.

“Okay baby.” My mom hummed.

In the bathroom, I started my bath water running into my favorite tub. My dad remodeled the bathroom for me last year to have an antique clawfoot tub. It was one of my favorite places to be, especially after a long day like today. I put in my favorite bath salts and turned-on Spotify so I could relax for a while.

As I was lying in the tub, my mind began to wander back through the events of the day. I looked at my hand to see if there were any marks on my fingers. Thankfully, there weren’t any and it wasn’t really that sore anymore. I began thinking of the way Andrew smiled at me when he gave me my books. While it gave me butterflies, it also felt wrong to feel that way about him because he was my teacher, no matter his age, the fact that he is hot, or the connection from our parents. The thought of Everett catching me today came bombarding in. His arms around my body felt so good in a way that seemed forbidden. It felt so warm and tingly when his hands touched me. His eyes on me from his window this afternoon showed in my mind as I began to remember the lust I felt from just seeing him look at me. I couldn’t help the arousal I felt. I wanted him to touch me in places that I had never been touched before. I wanted to give him all of me. How could I want someone so much that my mother wanted me to hate?

I shook my head to get those dirty thoughts out of my mind. I washed up and got out before I had time to think of anymore thoughts about Everett.

My mother called me down for supper just as I finished getting dressed. When I got down the stairs, I noticed the usual cars of Everett’s friends had pulled up to the front of his house. I sighed and went to the dining room.

“Hi baby girl. How was your day?” My dad asked as I sat down at the table.

“It was good. I found a new book in the library on the Rougarou for my project. It has some pretty good information in it.”

“Do you really need to add a Rougarou to a local history project, Magnolia? Honestly, what purpose will that serve?” My mother asked, sounding annoyed.

“It’s all in good fun. Leave her be, Lizzie.” my dad cooed at her.

My mom got up from the table even more annoyed.

“Where are ya going honey” asked my dad with a puzzled look.

“I’m going to get the garlic bread from the kitchen.” Huffed my mom.

My dad gave me a silly look as my mom turned back to the kitchen, causing me to let out a laugh. My mom turned around, causing me to stop and my dad to cough to try to hide the fact he was making fun of her.

“James, don’t make me come over there.” My mom said pointedly.

“What if that is exactly what I want, my cutie pie.” Dad said, giving my mom a wink, causing her to blush with a shy smile.

She walked over to him, giving him a peck on the lips. He then slapped her on the butt, causing her to yelp. While I tried to control my gag reflects, my mom scampered off to the kitchen with a smile on her face. The rest of supper was uneventful with chit-chat about how each of our days had gone. I, of course, left out most of the situations I found myself in today, especially since Everett and his entourage were involved. After eating supper, we each had a piece of cake while we watched TV together. I decided to head to my room because my parents being snuggled on the couch together was cute and all, but not exactly what I enjoyed seeing.

The night was cool, so I went to open my window to get some fresh air. As I walked away from my open window, I could hear arguing. I stood still for a minute to try to hear if I could make out who it was. It sounded like Everett and Laura. She was crying and saying that it wasn’t her fault, and she didn’t mean for it to happen. Everett began shouting angrily.

“He is my best friend! You were f***ing him in my bed! What the hell do you mean it wasn’t your fault. You can’t accidently fall on his d**k!”

“Everett, you know I couldn’t control it. You know how all of this works. Please, forgive us. It’s not like we meant to be connected. We just are.” cried Laura.

Then I heard what sounded like a ground-shaking growl.

I jumped to look out my window but the only thing I could see was Laura on her knees with her face in her hands and the rustling of trees that led to the bayou.