<div style="text-align: center;"><a class="postlink" href="http://i49.tinypic.com/1730ib.jpg">[ img ]</a></div><br/><br/>Imogen Summerbee had been in Bon Temps for about a couple months now. It seemed like everyone knew everyone in the small town so she got a warm welcome when she arrived at the small condos close to the Merlotte's Bar and Grill. Her neighbors had informed her that a couple of the waitresses had quit and Sam Merlotte, the owner, was in dire need of some help to run his business.<br/><br/>Imogen had left St. Louis, Missouri in a hurry. Her father, who had been her soul provider during her childhood, had decided to keep her home with him to keep her safe. He was under the impression that because Vampires came out of the coffin, that other beings of the supernatural were going to be brought into the light. Her father was terrified of that and spent the last few years locked up in his house, refusing to shift into anything.<br/><br/>Yes, she and her father were shape shifters. And it seemed like they were the only ones around for miles. And Imogen had been okay with this. Until her father went neurotic and paranoid. On her 22nd birthday she concluded that she needed to leave and find a place of her own. It was incredibly hard though, with her father practically holding onto her ankles as she exited the door of her childhood home, a suitcase in her hand.<br/><br/>But there she was. In a small town of Louisiana. It hadn't been her plan to stay there, it had honestly been on her way to her original dream home, in New Orleans. But after a night spent in a small Bon Temps hotel room, she decided to stay. Especially after watching on the news that there were five more vampire killings in New Orleans. She had immediately called her father and had explained the situation and he had agreed that a smaller town would be the safest.<br/><br/>And safe she thought she'd be.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~</div><br/><br/>It had been a long morning for Imogen. The night before she had worked until 1 am, which was normal for being a waitress at a bar. But when she had come home to get a good night's rest, she was waken up many times throughout the night by banging and shouts coming from her next door neighbor. She had heard them argue many times during the daylight hours but goodness, if your marriage wasn't working, then get a divorce!<br/><br/>By noon, Imogen had to drag herself out of bed in order to get ready for work. She did so and dressed in her Merlotte's attire she was made to wear during shifts. Nothing too fancy: just a Merlotte's shirt and black shorts, with some white sneakers. She threw her hair up into a high ponytail and put on some make up, knowing she got more tips when she applied it. And then headed out the door.<br/><br/>Imogen had heard rumors of Terri leaving for a while and she wondered if Lafayette was going to step up his game and work double shifts. But knowing Layfayette, it probably wasn't going to happen. The drag queen-cook was stubborn and heavily opinionated.<br/><br/>It was a short walk from her condo to Merlotte's and she entered the restaurant, happy to get inside and away from the happily bright sun. Normally she would enjoy it, but having barely enough sleep, she cursed at it.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Hey girl! You are looking mighty beautiful today!"</span>Holly, another waitress, called over to her as Imogen walked through the dining room towards the back room where her apron was.<br/><br/>Imogen always appreciated a compliment, especially on a day where she personally thought she looked terrible.<span style="color: #FF0040">"Well thanks!"</span>she said with a laugh.<span style="color: #FF0040">"You look absolutely radiant yourself,"</span>she added with a wink in Holly's direction, causing the dirty blond to bat her eyelashes sarcastically back at Imogen in a playful manner.<br/><br/>But suddenly, all play was put aside and Holly hurried over to Imogen's side as the younger waitress tied her apron around her waist with confusion at Holly's strange behavior.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"We have a new cook takin' over Terri's position,"</span>Holly explained into Imogen's ear, causing Imogen to become curious.<span style="font-style: italic">"And he's a hunk,"</span>Holly said, followed by a laugh. Imogen rolled her eyes with a grin, amused with Holly.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0040">"Oh yeah?"</span>Imogen asked her with a quirk of her eyebrow, placing her hands upon her hips.<span style="color: #FF0040">"Wouldn't Andy get jealous?"</span>Andy was the town sheriff and was having a fling with Miss Holly here.<br/><br/>Holly waved her off and rolled her eyes.<span style="font-style: italic">"I'm not talking about me, sweetie! I'm talking about you!"</span>Imogen rolled her eyes at that, knowing Holly was desperately trying to hook her up with someone.<span style="font-style: italic">"A pretty girl like you, needs a man."</span><br/><br/>Imogen had heard that before and she shook her head with a disbelieving smile and headed for the floor to start taking orders.