State of Grace: The Sequel
Chapter 6
By the time Teddy and his
parent’s showed up, the party was in full swing. Kids,
teenagers, adults and the elderly were all enjoying a beautiful
September evening. His parents were whisked away by their friends
and it took Teddy a few awkward minutes to find Jonah and
Hank.
“Hey guys what’s going on?” he asked, shaking
their hands. Hank pulled at the collar of his golf shirt and
Jonah kicked his boots in the mud.
“What’s wrong?” asked Teddy, looking concerned.
His friends never acted like this.
“Well, dude, we don’t know how to tell you this but
your aunt…she’s really hot,” said Hank. He
blushed and Jonah looked down at his feet.
“That’s disgusting she’s pregnant.”
“Well, you can’t blame us! I mean your mom is hot
too,” pleaded Jonah.
“Alright, alright that’s enough. I don’t mess
with your momma, Jonah,” Teddy said sternly, but he knew
they were just messing around with him.
“Speaking of hot, did you meet the new girl yet?”
Jonah asked his two friends. They both shook their heads. At that
moment, headlights shone upon the spot they were standing. When
the lights from the truck shut off, the boys watched as the door
swung open and black boots hit the ground. Long legs in black
jeans and a girl in a red flannel with dark red hair followed the
boots. She smiled radiantly at them all. Her parents joined the
fray of the party as the girl made her way over to the boys.
“Hi, I’m Austin,” she said in a drawl that
reminded Teddy of his Uncle Luke. She stuck out her hand and Hank
was the first one to take it.
“Hank Williams. Not junior though,” he said while he
laughed. He loved the joke but no one else found it funny. The
girl laughed politely and turned to Jonah.
“Jon-na-nah,” he stuttered as he shook her hand. He
was the most shy of the three.
“And your Teddy Parker,” she said turning to Teddy.
He looked dumbfounded. “Well ain’t I right?”
and he nodded.
“I’m sorry but how do you know who I am?” he
asked her. He couldn’t get over her.
“My pa went to high school with your aunt and uncle. He
remembers when you were born. He knocked up my momma that same
time.”
“Who are your parents?” Teddy asked her,
intrigued.
“That’s them,” she pointed to a couple standing
near his family. Grace looked worried and Luke had his arms
crossed and a frown on his face. Austin’s dad hid
Austin’s mother behind him and Teddy couldn’t make
out what she looked like.
“Don’t believe me? I’ll prove it!” Austin
said and she grabbed Teddy’s hand and pulled him over. Her
hand was like fire on his and he never wanted to let
go.
