Out of the Bayou: Secrets

Eight

Magnolia

Andrew and I walked in silence together back to the house. I looked back at him to see a frown etched on his face and a distant look in his eyes. It was obvious he was deep in thought. I looked back at my surroundings. The cypress trees are so beautiful with the Spanish moss dangling from their branches. My favorite part of sitting at the dock was watching the turtles pop in and out of the water. They like to sun on the old logs and lily pads that sit and float along the bayou. The ducks that we feed usually come running when they notice us sitting, in the hopes we have brought along food to throw them. Every now and then, you get a glance at an alligator that floats looking for food. This place offers a lot of peace and tranquility much of the time. The sounds of the bayou and swamp make it come alive with the buzzing of cicadas and noises of animals, giving an almost hypnotic effect.

Everett and Eli were long gone. I wasn’t expecting the three of them to react like they did to the stories I read about the Rougarou. Odd that they would get so defensive over folklore. Even with the vow I made to no longer allow Everett in my thoughts, he was there. Why though? I still could not understand why I was drawn to him. It’s not like he was even nice to me at any point since I have known him. Just because he didn’t bully me doesn’t mean anything to guys like him. I also wasn’t exactly sure what caused the silence with Andrew. I was the one who should be mad. I hate when people scare me like that. Drowning has always been one of my biggest fears. The fact that I have lived along the water my whole life doesn’t elevate the thoughts of someone I love going under and never coming back. Andrew was someone I loved. He is my friend, best friend since Savanah has been gone. Maybe I’m overreacting. It was just a joke.

As Andrew and I arrived at the house, we noticed a crowd had formed in the backyard. I guess my parents had their Good Friday boil underway. I always felt out of place at these things. Today was going to be even worse than usual now that Andrew seemed not to be talking. I made my way to the house to clean the bayou water off me, speaking to the few people that noticed me as I made my way inside.

I took my time in the shower hoping the time would pass and I wouldn’t need to stay too long outside visiting with my parents and their friends. After I got dressed, I made my way downstairs. I looked out the front door window, which is a habit of mine as I pass by. Eli’s car was gone. Everett was probably home alone since his parents were never home. I noticed this about them since they moved here from across town. This always seemed odd to me because they weren’t at the store they own a lot either.

Andrew was sitting at the island looking down at his phone when I walked into the kitchen. Without looking up from his phone, Andrew spoke to me.

“I talked to your parents, and they agreed that it would be nice to invite Everett over.”

“Okay.” I said with a brief pause, then asked “Andrew, are we okay? You seem mad since we got out the water earlier.”

Never looking up from his phone, he replied,” We are fine, my dear friend Magnolia.”

I didn’t say anymore and walked out into the backyard.

Outside, my parents’ gathering was in full swing, music and laughter could be heard from all around. I looked around and decided I would get some food. I grab a larger tray that we use for these occasions that makes cleaning up easier after the boils. I filled it with some crawfish, shrimp, potatoes, corn, and sausage. My parents also put asparagus and other things, but I stuck with my favorites tonight. As I made my way to a table to sit and eat, I noticed Everett sitting at I table. I took the opportunity to apologize for causing offense with my story earlier.

“Hey, Everett. Mind if I sit with you, the other tables seem full?” I asked.

“It’s your house. Sit wherever you want.” He shot. I took a seat across from him, keeping my eyes down looking at the food on my plate. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

“Happy Birthday, Everett. I realized I didn’t mention it early, but I hope it has been a good one for you. I am really sorry if I offended you in anyway earlier. I was just making conversation with some of the folklore I had read.” I told him.

He looked up and locked eyes with me.

“Thanks and it’s fine, Magnolia. I wasn’t mad at you. To be honest, I have had a lot going on recently. I shouldn’t have blown up the way I did over nonsense in a book.” He said in almost a whisper. I nodded at his response and looked down at my food as I started to eat. I could still feel his eyes on me.

“Magnolia.” Everett called out my name sweetly, causing me to look into his eyes again. “I should be apologizing to you. I shouldn’t have said that to you. I have actually always found your history facts pretty interesting.” He said, forming a small grin on his face.

In that moment, time stood still. The grin on his handsome face drew me in like a moth to a flame. But it was just that, a moment, nothing more. The grin was gone so quickly it was almost as if he had forgotten for a second that we shouldn’t be nice to each other. I looked back at my food, wondering if what he just said was sincere.

Everett’s phone rang, causing me to glance in his direction. He looked at his phone with hatred but answered anyway, “What?”