Page 28 of Small Town Beast 2: Saverin’s Duet (Sins of the South)

Absalom said something in his girl’s ear.

She looked down at the table of food, then back to Absalom in confusion before putting up her chin and retreating quietly into a corner of the room, not touching anything on the table.

Hiram and his thugs were staring at her the way they had stared at Tanya outside of Wilks-Johnny’s house.

Nobody came to talk to Lorraine and she stared wordlessly ahead, as if thinking very hard.

Absalom gave a whoop that drew all eyes in the room, the redneck version of silverware striking a glass.

Somebody turned down the music. The chatter died; thirty-odd men and women turned their attention to the tall young man standing at the head of the table.

He held a slice of cornbread in his hand as he spoke.

“I just wanted to thank y’all for coming and say I appreciate your support,” he said.

“While we enjoy our stay in Roman’s beautiful house, I would ask you all to avoid, ah, unnecessary damages.

” His eyes lingered on the shattered vase on the floor before resuming their path around the room.

He continued, “As we all know, the Harvest has supplied our income for the past twenty-five years. With the Federal legalization on the way, I have my hopes we can move forward in the business to great success. All that we need is unity and togetherness. We don’t make unity by dividing ourselves into McCalls and Green Trees and Snatch Hills.

For that matter, into Black and White. These old divisions won’t serve us any more.

We’re all Florin folk at the end of the day.

” Murmurs met his words, but Absalom gave no reaction, merely allowed them to dissipate.

“Unity,” he repeated. “That’s how we win.

That’s how we keep Florin going. Let’s all remember that.

Anyway, if anybody’s got a problem, you can come to me.

If you want to talk about your feelings, go to Shadrac.

” He raised the piece of cornbread in a mock toast, which made some people laugh, and finished, “Roman has so politely surrendered his home to us, and for that we ought to thank him. And I thank all of you for your support in our very peaceful transition. Sláinte !”

Bottles raised in a toast, with laughter from all except the little posse in the corner, which Tanya found it difficult to take her eyes off. Any trouble tonight would come from that section, no doubt about it.

“Interesting,” said Saverin.

“What?”

“The Green Trees are all drinking out of cans,” he said.

“So?”

“Just an observation.”

Not bothering to solve that riddle, Tanya surveyed the room, her eyes landing on Absalom’s girl, who stood apart from everybody, looking uneasy. She wasn’t laughing, either.

“I should go talk to her,” Tanya decided.

Ignoring Saverin’s protests she made a beeline towards the nervous-looking girl.

Before Saverin showed up Tanya had been in the exact same position with all these hillbilly women glaring at her like something the cat dragged in.

It seemed bold of this Absalom to show up with his girlfriend hanging on his arm, but given how his wife had been acting maybe it was just that kind of marriage.

“Hi,” Tanya said, getting Lorrie’s attention.

“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 mean candy , 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’m not hallucinating?”

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

Tanya put out her hand to grab onto something, but her fingers closed on empty air. The room was spinning a little. What the hell?

“I beg your pardon,” said the dark-haired giant as he stopped before the two astonished ladies. “Do you know where Saverin is? I assume one of you must be his girlfriend Tanya.”

Lorrie gave Tanya an ooo, girl look. The man was extremely handsome, broad-shouldered, with twinkling brown eyes. Unfortunately it was hard for Tanya to appreciate this fine specimen, given that her mother was standing right behind him.

“Hey,” said Saverin, materializing in a vapor. A vein twitched in his jaw as he hauled the strange man aside. “Why is she here, Crash?” Tanya heard Saverin ask through his teeth.

“Hello, Mama,” said Tanya, staring and staring at her mother. A horrifying thought occurred to her. She pointed at the huge dark-haired man. “Is this your boyfriend ?”

“Tanya, whatever those men say about me isn’t true,” her mama proclaimed, her voice overly loud and panicked. “It’s all a lie! I had nothing to do with Amari!”

“Jesus Christ,” swore Saverin.

“Who is Amari?” asked Sweet Lorraine.

“Excuse me?” said Tanya, now confused as hell. “What’s Amari got to do with you being here, Mama?”

“Where is the kid, Crash?” Saverin growled at the dark-haired man. “I thought you picked him up.”

“He’s at my place with my daughter and the babysitter. I came to drop this sweet old lady off, since my dungeon is closed for renovations at the moment,” Crash said.

“What’s happening, Saverin?” Tanya didn’t understand the look on Saverin’s face, or what his friend “Crash” was sarcastically saying. Something had happened, something to do with Amari, and Mama.

Saverin took her hand. He looked agitated. “Darlin’, I meant to tell you— things today got so fucked up. Just breathe, okay? I’m going to explain it.”

“ What the hell is going on ?”

“Fine!” shrieked Tanya’s mother, and now the entire room was attending.

“Yes, I took him. You were better off without him anyway, Tanya. You ran away from home and got pregnant for some lowlife— you were just a teenager. And that little brat ruined you for Pastor Marcus. He wanted to marry you— offered me fifteen grand! But then you run off and make a baby with Colton and embarrass me! How was I supposed to live off Social Security? I don’t have any retirement—”

“I don’t understand,” said Tanya, trying to make sense of her mother’s babble. “Mama, what the hell are you telling me right now?”

“She kidnapped your son and sold him,” said Saverin brutally. “That’s what she’s saying.”

“That’s crazy, Saverin. What on earth would make you say that?”

“Now you’ve done it,” Saverin said to Crash. “Jesus, Walker.”

“I won’t be blamed for your mistakes,” said Mrs. Weaver, speaking to Tanya without meeting her daughter’s eyes. “I was just trying to help you. Men of value don’t want single mothers. And look— you got yourself a rich white man, so I think you should really be thanking me.”

“ Where is my son ?”

“Safe,” said Saverin, putting his arm across Tanya’s chest to stop her from leaping on her mother. “They found him this morning in East Rowanville. He’s safe, Tanya. He’s— oh, honey, don’t cry.”

“I’m the real victim here,” said Tanya’s mother. “I was rudely kidnapped and assaulted by these two! I was dragged from my own home, beaten up, threatened — ”

“Everything good over here?” Absalom appeared, seeming to address the question to his girlfriend.

“Tanya and her mother are just working something out,” said Lorrie diplomatically. “Right, Tanya?”

Amari is alive!

Tanya swallowed hard. The world began to spin, and spin, and black fog was leaking through the corners of her vision. She staggered sideways into Saverin before everything went black.