Southern Vampire Mysteries:Life Since Bill

Sookie stared out into space. Focusing on nothing but breathing in and out slowly. She couldn't remember how long she had been sitting on the porch of her white-painted Southern cottage, but as she snapped back into reality she saw the luminescent orange sun slowly setting and realized she hadn't moved since lunch.

Life for Sookie Stackhouse was at best mundane. It had been fourty long years since Bill Compton had walked out the door on her 28 year old self. She knew then life wouldn't ever be the same and evidently she was right. Sookie looked down at her wrinkled, aging hands and placed them on the black rubber tires of her wheel chair. The sun was gone, and so was the day. Hands latched on to the supports above her bed, she used what upper body strength she had to climb into bed.

Life since Bill left had been unfair. Four months ago she was driving her embarrassingly out dated Ford Mustang home from Merlottes when she swerved to miss a figure that ran at the speed of light across the road, inches from the front bumper of her Mustang. She crashed into a tree and the dashboard of her Mustang crushed her legs. "No longer able to walk" were the words the rehabilitation nurse had said.
"Screw my life" Sookie responded.

As she lay in bed staring at the ceiling of the downstairs guest room, no longer able to go upstairs to her old room, she replays the crash over and over in her mind. She knows that the figure she saw that night had to of been Bill. Or at least some other Vampire. She replays it again and again, each time trying harder than the last to notice something different to prove it was him. But like any memory, over time it becomes faded and dusty like a vinyl printed in the 1950s. The darkness began to coat the sky out her window and still replaying that fatal night, she drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

The next morning Sookie wakes with no feeling in her legs. Surprise, Surprise. She wheels herself in front of the vanity and splashes water on her face and takes a moment to contemplate her 68 year old self. Once so beautiful she doesn't believe how cruel aging can be. But then again nothing is as cruel as the Anti-Vamperic laws that are now inforced. Giving a man (or dead man) his freedom, then taking it away is as cruel as legalizing then revoking Gay marriage or Black Civil rights. When President Richshaw announced the Anti-Vamperic Act it meant all Vampires had to yet again vanish. The alternative, death by stake through the heart. In short, it meant the end of Sookie and Bills 8 year long fairy tale romance. But that was 32 years ago. Where was he? Where did he go?
She knew of coarse that the law meant the end. Everyone in Bon Temps knew of Bill, including the local police force, so it was no shock when Bill up and left. What other choice did he have?

"Sookie..Sookie, you home?" Tara's voice bounced off the White-painted Southern cottage.
Tara, my best friend since I was born. We've had our share of fights but like any sisters when we one was in need, the other was there.
"In the bathroom"
"Howdy Sookie, shit look at you! When was the last time you ate anything? Your gonna fade right away one of these days, here come on were going down to Merlottes to get some breakfast we gotta fatten you up!"
Sookie leaned back and smiled. Tara grabbed the handles of her wheelchair and pushed her down the newly build ramp and into Tara’s pickup parked outside.

At Merlottes, the bar was filled with the same crowd. The Local Drunks, workmen and families who come in Merlottes for a drink, meal and social interaction, it being the only bar and restaurant in Bon Temps. They found a table and began looking through the menu. Sookie's mind immediately filled with every single thought in everyone’s head.

"..theres poor old Sookie...gosh she looks thin, that girl ain't never the same since that dirty vampire left..."
"..oh my I didn't ever think I'd see Miss Stackhouse out and about again.."
"..damn where did I put my wallet.."

Sookie use to wish she didn't have the gift of telepathy, but since she hadn't had any voice in her head for months she welcomed the endless, mindless gabbering of everyones mind talking to themselves.
Then, Sookie heard something she wasn't expecting.

"...I don't believe Andys gone just slumped on over his steering wheel. Although he was in his 70s, who knows why he didn't retire a decade ago..i dont believe it.."

"Tara," Sookie whispered
"Yeah Sook?"
"Is there something you’re not telling me?" Sookie looked deeply into Tara's brown eyes and found her answer.

"..fuck fuck fuck, ok Sookie lets just go back to your house and not freak out..are you listening to me?.."

"Fine" Sookie annoyed at Tara for communicating with her through her thoughts slammed her hands on the black tires of her wheelchair and spun it out from under the table and headed for the exit.
Once in the car Sookie exploded into tears. "So! When were you going to tell me Andy Belleflower had FINALLY passed away! He was the last Sheriff who knew of Bill, don't you realise what this means. Didn't you think this would be something I'd want to know!"
"Look Sook, this doesn't mean anything. It doesn't mean Bills going to come back to you" Tara spoke softly trying to calm Sookie down. The words cut through Sookie like a knife.
She looked down at her mangled legs as a tear escaped her. Looking up she moved Tara's rearview mirror toward her. She froze.

"Sookie.." Bill said, in his Southern drawl.


Written by Sarah Hosking