midnight train to georgia

“i didn’t get away with anythin’.” she avoided georgia’s eyes. she didn’t wanna talk about it. for what felt like the thousandth time. she shrugged, turned back to her painting. “she can’t see him. i dunno why.”

“i suddenly do not recall,” georgia hummed covering her eyes with the back of her hand, dramatically. 

“sure you didn’t, keep tellin’ yourself that.” 

“what do you mean she can’t see him? what happens when he tries to talk to her and she doesn’t answer? people know he died and the he was suddenly back on the radio. someone’s bound to tell em, lee. and it should really be you.”

maya let a small laugh fall from pursed lips, hands resting firmly at her hips as she stared down her friend. “ okay, okay, that idea’s out the door. well, maybe we can liven our lives up. take a trip to the woods or somethin’. “ she suggested, ears perking at her own idea. it was no secret the woods were her second home. she’d be missing for days, only a small note for julia in her absence. 

“ yeah but would i wanna work that shift ? hell no. would they schedule me for it anyways ? of course. “

the woods. a blurry vision plays in georgia’s mind. a dream she keeps having from the fair, a dream that happens even when she’s awake —or is it a memory? it’s messy, just bits and pieces. but each time there’s a little bit more and it becomes a little less blurry. almost as if her brain were repairing it. 

she snaps out of the trance-like state, blinking herself back into awareness. “yeah, of course.” she has no idea what maya had said, if she even said anything at all. 

seein’ georgia after such a long day makes these long hours worth it. makes the mountain of bills ‘n forms waitin’ at home far less perilous a climb. teejay’s got enough of a brain to know they’ll get through this –– the money, the house. the glitch. hell, they can get through most anythin’.

‘cept lyin’. yeah. he’s still workin’ out that whole thing. the… episodes. teejay shakes the thought with a sniffle just as the man to his right crunches into a pickle. his whole damned world turns to vinegar ‘n salt. and georgia. georgia more than makes up for that brine.

“ shake, burger, ‘n fries is all i need. ”  he clasps his hands on the counter, adds in a light shrug. “ and you, maybe –– if that’s on the menu. ”

hey, you’re stunnin’. if georgia glowed every time teejay said something like that, she would happily glow all the damn time. 

georgia calls the order to the cook and pops a lid onto the milkshake, moving back toward him. “hmm, that last one’s not on the menu but i think i can pull some strings. only ‘cause you’re cute though,” she grins, pushing his hair out of his face.

the man at the counter makes a gagging noise and georgia’s head snaps in his direction real fast. “there a problem mister walker? somethin’ wrong with your food? i know it can’t be this display of affection makin’ you gag, ‘cause i’m sure if you bothered to say somethin’ half as sweet to someone, you wouldn’t be sittin’ here in this diner every night eatin’ alone.” 

the man quietly went back to eating his food, staring very intently at his plate. 

“that’s what i thought.”

she turned her attention back to teejay. “you wanna go sit ‘til it’s ready? are you hungry right now? you can eat it here if y'want.”

“ he’s never been my favorite. but, maybe i’ll get old jones. he always hands me a cig in the car. “ a soft snicker and xander’s making his way back to the bars, leanin’ in. “ so, what are the big plans today ? come to bail me out ? “

georgia let out an over-dramatic gasp. “i just gave you a doughnut and you have the audacity to ask for bail?!” she reached into her dress, pulling out the key for the cell door as she continued. “do you think i’m made of money?! is that all i am to you, a walkin’, talkin’ piggy bank or somethin’?“ she opened the door and gestured for him to come out, letting the door close on its own behind him. “the nerve you have alexander chapell, the nerve.”

“well, what are you talkin’ bout? you callin’ me ugly?” she asked, tryin’ to avoid the meanin’ behind her words. she didn’t want to get into it all again. it was much easier to just shove it all down deep and pretend everythin’ was okay.

“yes, i-” lee shook her head, exasperated. “i dunno, okay? but he was there for me and he’s here right now. so i ain’t gonna think about where he might go.”

“oh yeah, that’s it, you’re just about the ugliest damn thing i have ever seen,” she drawled, her eyes rolling nearly out of her head from the sarcasm.  

“fine, but all that doesn’t change the fact that you’re comin’ to dinner. i’m not playin’ this game again. i let you get away with it last time. ‘sides, bez is still... here?” she lowered her voice. “speakin’ of which, how’ve you been explainin’ that one?”

“ ouch — hey ! “ she sputtered, a sudden jump and she landed with her feet flat on the ground, a mock-glare sent her friend’s way. “ yeah, we got it, sudden death and all that. “

“well if he does, take a picture for me ‘cause i have yet to see it.”

 georgia rolled her eyes. “no thank you. the only thing worse than pissin’ off my daddy is pissin’ off missus kimberly ann duchannes. sweet as a damn daisy but i promise you. the woman has a wrath like nothin’ you have ever seen. i’d rather risk a doughnut-less logan duchannes, thank you very much.” 

“wouldn’t this all be a lot easier at your job? it’s litereally party central over there.”

he made sure to savour every inch of the baked good before he let out a sigh. life was so much better when it was filled with cake and pastry. “you’re rewarding me being a grumpy asshole or hungover?” he asked, wiping around his mouth for a moment. “but fine. maybe, just maybe. i did a bottle of whiskey and chased it with beer last night.”

“both,” georgia nodded, “definitely both.” she scrunched her nose. “at least you drank the whiskey first.... you did drink the whiskey first, right? you know the sayin’, ‘beer before liquor, get sick quicker’ or at least i think that’s how it goes...” she shook her head, to push the idea out and turned her attention back to cal. “so that’s gonna be your day? extra grumpy with a side of hungover?”

BASIC INFORMATION

FULL NAME: GEORGIA RAE DUCHANNES PRONUNCIATION: JOR-JUH RAY DO-CANE MEANING: EARTH WORKER REASONING: HER MOM LIKED THE WAY IT ROLLED OFF THE TONGUE NICKNAME(S): G, GEORGIA RAE,  BLONDIE, BABY PREFERRED NAME(S): GEORGIA BIRTH DATE:  NOVEMBER 30TH 1962 AGE: 20 ZODIAC: SAGITTARIUS GENDER: FEMALE PRONOUNS: SHE/HER ROMANTIC ORIENTATION: TEEJAY VANETTEN - TO PUT IT SIMPLY, EVERYONE ELSE IS AN UNAPPEALING BLOB SEXUAL ORIENTATION: SEE ABOVE

BACKGROUND

BIRTH PLACE: THE HOSPITAL CLOSEST TO THEIR HOUSE HOMETOWN: LETUM FALLS, OK SOCIAL CLASS: UPPER SPECIES: DRAGON FATHER: LOGAN DUCHANNES ( LUCAS BRYANT ) MOTHER: KIMBERLY ANN DUCHANNES NEE. DEVEREAUX ( EMILY ROSE ) SIBLING(S): NONE BIRTH ORDER: ONLY CHILD PET(S): HIMALAYAN CAT NAMED ROSIE. SHE’S NINE AND QUITE THE DIVA OTHER IMPORTANT RELATIVES: N/A PREVIOUS RELATIONSHIPS: NO SUCH THING CURRENT RELATIONSHIP: TUCKER JEREMIAH VANETTEN ARRESTS?: SHE ARRESTS HERSELF ALL THE TIME PRISON TIME?: SHE GIVES HERSELF PRISON TIME ALL THE TIME TOO

OCCUPATION & INCOME

SOURCE OF INCOME: WAITRESS AT THE DINER CONTENT WITH THEIR JOB (OR LACK THERE OF)?: MOSTLY MOST VALUABLE POSSESSION: CURRENTLY THE RING TEEJAY GAVE HER WHEN SHE DEMANDED TO KNOW WHEN HE WAS GOING TO ASK HER TO MARRY HIM AND HE SPUTTERED OUT “I WAS PLANNING ON IT GEORGIA RAE BUT NOW YOU FUCKING RUINED IT” HE ASKED HER TO MARRY HIM

SKILLS & ABILITIES

TALENTS: CAN PUT HER FOOT ON YOUR SHOULDER WITHOUT BENDING EITHER OF HER KNEES DRIVE?: YES BUT SHE PREFERS TO HAVE TEEJAY DRIVE HER PLACES JUMP-STAR A CAR?:  HAVE YOU MET HER FIANCEE? CHANGE A FLAT TIRE?: HER FIANCEE IS LITERALLY THE TOWN MECHANIC. CAN SHE CHANGE A FLAT TIRE? YES. DOES SHE HAVE TO? NEVER IN HER LIFE. RIDE A BICYCLE?: YES SWIM?: YES PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?: SHE SINGS IN THE PRIVACY OF HER OWN HOME AND GENERALLY WHEN SHE THINKS NO ONE ELSE CAN HEAR HER. THAT COUNTS, RIGHT? PLAY CHESS?: SOMETIMES, BUT SHE CONSTANTLY FORGETS THE RULES BRAID HAIR?: YES TIE A TIE?: SURPRISINGLY PICK A LOCK?: JUST PICTURE GEORGIA SAYING NO OUT LOUD BUT NODDING

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE & CHARACTERISTICS

FACE CLAIM: VIRGINIA GARDNER EYE COLOR: BLUE HAIR COLOR: BLONDE HAIR TYPE/STYLE: MID-LENGTH, WAVY, USUALLY IN A PONYTAIL GLASSES/CONTACTS?: NOPE DOMINANT HAND: AMBIDEXTROUS HEIGHT: 5′8″ WEIGHT: 125 POUNDS BUILD: SHE IS, HOW THE BRITS SAY, FIT AS HELL TATTOOS: NONE THAT YOU CAN PROVE AND IF YOU CAN, YOU’RE GOING TO BE DOING A LOT OF EXPLAINING TO ONE TUCKER JEREMIAH VANETTEN PEIRCINGS: ONE IN EACH EAR BECAUSE HER DADDY WOULD RIP THEM OUT OTHERWISE MARKS/SCARS: NONE, THEY ALL MYSTERIOUSLY DISAPPEARED NOTABLE FEATURES: -GESTURES TO ALL OF HER- USUAL EXPRESSION: A GRIN ALLERGIES: NONE DIETARY RESTRICTIONS: NONE PHYSICAL AILMENTS: BAD ACID REFLUX  ; )

PSYCHOLOGY

MORAL ALIGNMENT: CHAOTIC GOOD ELEMENT: EARTH ( BASED ON THIS QUIZ ) MENTAL CONDITIONS/DISORDERS: NONE ADDICTION(S): CAN YOU BE ADDICTED TO PEOPLE? DRUG USE: XANDER PAYS FOR HER AFFECTIONS WITH WEED ALCOHOL USE: OCCASIONAL  PRONE TO VIOLENCE?: NOT USUALLY

MANNERISMS

HOBBIES: WHO HAS TIME FOR HOBBIES? NERVOUS TICKS / HABITS: CUTICLE CHEWING AND LIP BITING FEARS: LARGE BUGS/ INSECTS POSITIVE TRAITS:  FRIENDLY, CHARISMATIC, HELPFUL, LOYAL, CARING NEGATIVE TRAITS: FIERY, BLUNT, REBELLIOUS CURSING?: LIKE A SAILOR, BUT SHE TRIES NOT TO WHEN SHE’S IN A PROFESSIONAL SETTING

FAVORITES

ACTIVITY: HER WEEKLY SUNDAY PASTRY DELIVERY AROUND THE TOWN, ROLLER SKATING, STAGING A COUP AT THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE, ANYTHING THAT LETS HER BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE ( I.E. SPORTS, BIKE RIDING, RUNNING, ETC. ) ANIMAL: ELEPHANT BEVERAGE: MILKSHAKE BOOK: LITTLE WOMEN COLOR: BURGUNDY FOOD: FRENCH FRIES WITH CHEESE FLOWER: ORCHIDS OR REALLY ANYTHING THAT CAN BE MADE INTO A FLOWER CROWN GEM: RUBY HOLIDAY: HALLOWEEN MODE OF TRANSPORTATION: IF SHE DOESN’T NEED TO BE SOMEWHERE WITHIN A SPECIFIC TIME FRAME, WALKING QUOTE/SAYING: I CAN BE SOMEONE’S AND STILL BE MY OWN  – SHEL SILVERSTEIN SCENERY: NEW PLACES GENERAL SCENT: THE INSIDE OF A BAKERY, HER LAUNDRY DETERGENT WHICH IS THE SAME AS THE ONE HER MOTHER HAS ALWAYS USED, FRESH OUTDOORSY UN POLLUTED AIR, OLD SPICE PERSONAL SCENT: GENERALLY SUGARY ( VANILLA, COCOA, ETC. ) OR FLORAL ( CHERRY BLOSSOM, ROSE, ETC. ) SCENTS SPORT: FOOTBALL, BASEBALL, SOCCER WEATHER: DEPENDS ON HER MOOD

ATTITUDES

she broke off a piece of her chocolate and nibbled on it slowly. “why’re you so worked up? i’m fine. i’ve got bez and i’ve got dean again, sorta, and i’ve always got you.”

“i ain’t talkin’ bout paintin’ and you know it.” she pulled out another bar and passed it to lee before giving her a pointed look. “those two are idiots. bez isn’t lookin’ at your body and dean? don’t even get me started. have you talked to him? i mean really talked to him? he’s been gone a long time. how do you know he’s even the same person? and what happens when he leaves again, huh?”

it’s cheesy, but teejay can’t imagine a life without her. a life any different than theirs, now. maybe there have been some detours, but his heart’s full. he never spends a split second ungrateful.

he leans into her palms ‘n sighs, dreamy smile ‘n all. “ s’okay. ”  one of his own hands raises to top hers. his thumb traces light crescents across the back of her hand; he steps a lil closer, so all that separates ‘em is mere millimeters. 

“ missed ya though. ”  georgia stoppin’ by ‘round six is the highlight of his day. but he hasn’t come to expect it –– things happen, the diner gets busy, ‘n teejay’s just over the moon to be with her now.

“ i’m gonna put this place outta business if i ask for both, ” he teases with a melodic chuckle, rocking on his heels. the act brushes their hips together, fleetingly. 

“ how ‘bout… burger, shake, ‘n… maybe some fries ? ”  they’re really for her, the fries, ‘cause she’ll eat ‘em all anyway. but teejay likes sharin’. likes the mischief in her eyes when she thinks she’s bein’ sneaky. 

“it is not okay!” georgia practically yells, before adding a slightly quieter “missed you too.” she’s genuinely surprised she’s managed to not kill anyone today seeing as spending time with teejay during her break's usually the only thing that keeps her from doing just that. 

she’s about to tell him that if he wants both, he’s getting both, when he asks for the burger, shake, and fries. “are you sure? you want a double? cheese? onion rings too?” she starts walking backward toward the kitchen so she can tell the cook what he wants, grabbing a to go cup for the milkshake, already pulling that handle for the chocolate. 

her mother would convulse. as it was, the woman insisted on taking her grocery shopping on her day off every week to make sure there was normal food in their apartment. if she didn’t, they’d probably only eat diner food. the fact that they were both still in decent shape was baffling. 

“ she’s been workin’ on his cholesterol for years, still hasn’t kicked his donut habit ? “ he questions, continuing to tear into the delicious sugury flesh of his surprise breakfast. “ tell her i’ve got it covered. just send the donuts my way. we’ll have him dropping pounds faster than he picks me up. “

she’s quick to play into his game, and it causes a slight twitch at the corner of his lips. not a rare sight, but a true honor within his eyes. she’s right on the edge of glory here. 

“ do believe it was deputy peneda, always a little handsy, that one. ”

“i’ll make sure to let her know. i’m sure she’ll be thrilled.” compared to most cops his age, her dad was actually in great shape. he could still lift her like she was a four year old but then again so could teejay. hell, xander probably could too. 

“peneda, i should’ve known,” she squinted. “gonna hafta get em back. might have to arrange for someone’s lunch to disappear accidentally on purpose. that’ll teach em.”

as soon as she reaches her booth, clem discards her cane onto the seat across from her. stupid. it bounces off the upholstery and clatters to the floor –– good. the sound brings on a sliver of a smile. clem tosses long blonde locks over her shoulder as pitter-patter feet pass her by. she purses her lips but can’t help her growing smirk.

“ usual. ”  coffee, one cream, two sugars. bagel, toasted, extra cream cheese. “ but be a doll ‘n throw in one of those cinnamon sweet rolls ? ”  she pauses, a hand reachin’ out to tap georgia’s wrist. “ make that two. and whatever you’re drinkin’. ”  it’s an invitation posed in gentle demand. georgia could say no. but clem’s got a feelin’ those sweets might seal the deal.

georgia lightly slides the cane with her foot so that it’s still on the floor but not in anybody’s way as she scribbles clem’s order onto her pad. “the usual, extra sweet,” she chuckles. “gotcha.” she feels clem’s fingers on her wrist and looks down in amazement. she can barely get herself to the bathroom in the middle of the night without tripping over something. but to be fair, she and teejay aren’t always the best at straightening up.

she looks around at the mostly empty diner. it’s that weird time of day where everyone’s at work and it’s not quite lunch. she shrugs. “yeah, i could sit,” she hums.  she’s pretty sure the boss would rather put his head in a meat grinder than tell clem that georgia can’t sit with her. “just let me get this order in for ya.” 

“ ok, that threat has been recorded and sorted into the crucial memories within my brain, and i’ll pass the message along. no standing on the milkshake machine. all perpetrators will be punished by death. “

georgia let out a snort. “my dad? have you met my dad? the biggest stick up his assed man i’ve ever met? the man who had me on a ten o’clock curfew until i was sixteen? you think he’s going to love the idea? are you sure we’re talkin’ about the same person?”

she walked passed maya and smacked her butt with a towel for sitting on the table. “i will personally kill anyone who so much as looks at that milkshake machine,” she snarled playfully.

“sounds more formal, i suppose. i can agree on that.” he leaned his forearms onto the counter to take a peek into the box, recognising the handiwork of the delicious looking items inside. “me? hungover? absolutely would never happen.” he huffed, taking one and fixing his expression to a glare when she poked at his cheeks. “are you quite done?” leaning away, he pressed the baked good into his mouth almost entirely, speaking with his mouth full. “what’s life if you can’t wash it down with a drink?”

georgia had known cal long enough now to know he had very little if no sense of humor but that didn’t stop her from trying to get any sort of positive reaction out of him. little did she realize that if she’d been just about anyone else, he would not put up with her nonsense.

she grinned, cocking her head to the side as he spoke with his mouth full. if she were her mother, she’d tell him it was impolite to talk with his mouth full. “hey, i’m not judgin’. like i said, you can have two because of it. if anythin’ i’m rewardin’ it.”