[h3]-John Mercer-[/h3]

	
	A soft, gentle breeze whispered through the treetops as John slowly trotted up the main path snaking through the surrounding wilderness until he came upon the old cemetery, just mere miles from his family's ranch.

	Sliding off the saddle of his trusty steed Blackjack, he reached into the saddlebag and pulled out a bouquet of sunflowers, checking them first to make sure they weren't crushed or broken in any way.  Then, he made his way up the small, sloping hill to the old wrought iron fence surrounding the scattering of old tombstones and wooden crosses, some dated as far back as 1860, when his great grandpa's family first settled in Mystic Falls.

	The tall, green grass was as high as his boots as he stepped through the wooden archway and knelt before a grave.  He took off his hat, brushing the few stray tears from his eyes, then sighed with a saddened smile upon his rugged face, "Hey mama."  He set the bouquet on his mother's grave, swallowing to push down the waves of pain that were crashing against him.  "Well...here we are fourteen years later.   I still miss you like it was yesterday.  I just thought I'd drop by and say hello.  Bring you some flowers."

  After about an hour or so of talking to his mother's grave, he soon stood up and stretched, setting his hat back on his head.  "Well, I better get going before dad gets worried.  He'll probably think I ran off drinking again."  John laughed.  "Goodbye, mama.  I love you."  He placed a small kiss on the inside of his hand and set it on the top of the gravestone before making his way down the hill, climbing up in his saddle and grabbing the reins tightly in his calloused hand, using the other to pet his horse's shimmering black mane.

"Alright Blackjack, let's go to work."

 
	Later on, after a hard day's work wrangling cattle, John decided to mosey into town for a bite to eat.  As customary, both windows of his blue 2011 Ford F150 were rolled down as he sang along to some Cody Jinks belting out of the speakers.  He soon pulled his truck into the parking lot of the Mystic Grill and killed the ignition, stepping out and adjusting his Stetson atop his head before slamming his pickup door lightly and strolling up the sidewalk to the front door.    As he was about to enter the establishment, he noticed a particularly attractive young woman heading his way.  He smiled and opened the door for her.  "Allow me, darlin'."  He said, his voice thick with a country drawl.

	[@Wolvena]

	The woman seemed to pay him no mind as she briskly walked past the young cowboy, but John just assumed she had something important to get to and wasn't trying to be rude.  Still, he had to admit the blonde was good-looking.  Maybe he would bump into her later.  It was a small town, after all, Mystic Falls.  Approaching the counter, John tipped his hat to the waitress and gave a friendly smile as he sat down, putting both elbows on the countertop.

	"Your usual, Johnny?"  Said the young waitress.  John nodded back, "Yes ma'am, and don't skimp on the gravy."  He chuckled.  While he waited, his eyes trailed about the sleepy little diner.  Sitting next to him was a police officer, casually sipping his coffee as he read the local paper, a half-eaten club sandwich resting on his plate.  In one of the booths nearby, a few old men laughed and smoked cigars, talking about the good old days, while in another booth, a young couple was getting a little [i]too[/i] intimate with each other despite being in the public eye.  John just shook his head and paid them no further attention.  Kids, he wondered.

	"Here you go, Cowboy."  Cooed the waitress with a smirk as she set a plate before him, a golden brown chicken fried steak smothered in gravy with mashed potatoes and green beans on the side.  John's mouth was already watering, his stomach growling excitedly with anticipation.  "Thank you, ma'am.  Looks wonderful.  Smells good too."  He joyfully responded before digging into his first bite.  You just couldn't beat good home cooking like this he thought as he savored the delicious aroma and the tenderness of the meat.  After John finished his meal, the cop beside him slowly stood up and began reaching for his wallet.  "Oh don't worry about that, mister.  I'll pay for you."  Said John quickly.

	The police officer gave him a funny look but replied, "Well thank you, sir."

	"No sir, thank you."  Said John tipping his hat.  "You boys do a lot for this town.  The man smiled and gave a curt nod to John before walking away.  John soon got up himself, fishing his wallet out of his back pocket and setting a few twenties on the bar.  "Just keep the change, darlin'."  He chimed to the waitress in the back before turning around and stepping outside.  The sun felt warm on his face, despite the cool breeze that was wafting through the streets, culminating with the sound of birds chirping and cars quietly passing by, the idle chatter of people walking up and down the sidewalks.  It was all oddly peaceful to the young cowboy.  It made John wonder why his brother Tommy hated this place, why he was so fired up about leaving Mystic Falls for the big city.

	Last he had heard, Tommy was a big-time lawyer up in New York.  He didn't have time to visit John or their dad either, not that he would have cared to make any John pondered a tad bitter.  Still, he wasn't going to let any negative thoughts of his brother ruin his day. 
 Climbing back in his pickup, he started the ignition, the engine rumbling to life amidst another country tune playing through John's stereo.  This time, it was the Turnpike Troubadours' [i]Good Lord, Lorie[/i].  John smiled to himself and hummed along as he put his truck in gear and backed out onto the street.  Since it was such a lovely day, he figured he'd just drive around a bit before he had to get back to work.