The day Stephanie met Tommy was a hot one. So hot that she had to stop and pick up some tea from a little shop in Texas.

Her long brown hair was tied up in high ponytail that fell down her back in smooth waves. Pink framed sunglasses hid her eyes from the harsh sun while her matching shorts welcomed the sunlight on her legs. A white crop top bared her lightly freckled shoulders and midriff.

"Hi I didn't know if y'all had any cold tea for sale?" she asked the woman at the counter. She was an older woman, gray hair tied back in messy bun. A checkered dress fit her loosely but looked nice.

"Why yes we do, its sweet tea hope you don't mind that darlin'"

"No that's fine thank you very much," Stephanie smiled.

"Let me just have my boy bring some up," she smiled. She had a warm smile, she was definitely the motherly type. "THOMAS! Bring up some tea will you!"

There was some noise from the back, like something heavy was dropped. Loud footsteps thundered through the store. Stephanie turned around to see a hulking man walking towards her.

He had long brown hair the hung in his face with a black mask of sorts. He had on a dress shirt that hadn't seen a washing machine in a while and had splotches of dirt and what looked like clay on it.

"Thomas this young lady here would like some of our tea. Would you mind helping her carry it to the car?" His mother asked. Thomas nodded and looked down at Stephanie.

"Oh thank you, how much do I owe you?" she asked reaching for her wallet.

"Its on the house deary, we don't get too many visitors as nice as you." Stephanie thanked the woman and lead Thomas to her car.

"If you don't mind just putting in the back seat. Thank you for your help, really nice of you to do this for me."

Thomas just sort of grunted and set the tea down before straightening back up. He really was tall, probably a good 8-9 inches taller.

He turned to walk back to the store when Stephanie placed her hand on his arm. He almost jumped, not used to this human contact.

"Thank you again, I mean it. Thank you Thomas," she smiled. She had a nice smile Thomas decided and he smiled back under the mask.

Stephanie got in her car ready to get back on her trip to the city. Turning the key in the ignition the car started up but then sputtered and died. She kept trying to no avail.

"Damn it," she sighed resting her head on the steering wheel. After sitting for a bit she went back into the store.

"Hi again, my car just died on me. I didn't know if you had a phone I could use or if there was an auto shop nearby?"

"My brother is a mechanic I could call him up to fix your car."

"If you don't mind that would be great. Is there a place I can wait at? Maybe a cafe or something?" Stephanie asked. It wasn't like she didn't have work to get done.

"You can wait at our house, its right up the road and that way you can stay out of the heat," the woman offered.

"OH I couldn't-"

"Nonsense, let me call him to get your car." The more she thought about the more it made sense to wait at her house, she had passed a small town on the way in but it was practically abandoned.

"He'll be here in twenty minutes, I'll send Thomas along to help you with your things."

"Thank you Mrs?"

"Luda May, you can call me Luda May."

"Thank you Luda May."