Chapter 8 #2
Lissette followed Odette to the door. “In case you haven’t heard, there’s a hurricane headed in our direction. Right now, it’s a Category 3, but meteorologists expect it to increase to a Category 4 in the next three days.”
Xavier stepped up beside Lissette. “There are already rumors floating that the governor is going to call for mandatory evacuations soon.”
Odette blinked. “A hurricane?” Her smile slipped.
“I suppose I’d better get back to my house and lower my storm shutters.
” She laughed. “If they still work.” She paused in the doorway and held up the wrapped gift.
“Thanks again for helping me find the perfect gift.” Odette left the shop, climbed into a shiny black pickup with a magnetic sign on the door reading PS, written in bold metallic silver letters.
Odette waved as she drove away.
Lissette glanced at the sky and then spun toward Xavier. “I need to finish the house calls if possible.”
“I’m ready when you are,” he said.
“It will only take me a moment to lock up.” She reentered the shop with Xavier right behind her.
“What can I do to help?” he asked.
“I need to do a quick glance around to make sure that stray cat didn’t sneak past us. Johnny might not be so lucky the next time she gets in.”
Lissette searched the back of the shop while Xavier checked he front, careful not to get too close to Johnny’s cage.
Just say I do, Johnny called out, his words carrying to the back of the shop.
Xavier chuckled, the sound warming Lissette’s heart. He didn’t smile or laugh enough. She wondered why.
Gisele had taught the bird that phrase for her wedding to Rafael, insisting Johnny be there for the nuptials. Miraculously, the bird had said the right thing at the right time, earning applause from the guests, most of whom were members of the Brotherhood Protectors and Gisele’s relatives.
Lissette had seen the pictures and the video of Gisele’s wedding. Rafael and Gisele had been so happy, their love reflecting in their smiles and laughter. Rafael was perfect for Gisele, and she deserved to be happy.
Something tugged inside Lissette’s chest. Was it envy? She shook her head and continued her search for the sneaky cat, completing a thorough sweep of the shelves and cubbies in the back of the Mamba Wamba.
When she came out of the back, she found Xavier standing in front of Johnny’s cage, staring, not at the macaw, but as if looking far away or into the past.
His brow creased, and he said softly, “They should’ve had a chance at love and happiness.”
You break it, you buy it, asshole! Johnny cried and danced sideways on his perch, nodding his head.
Trust the bird to be rude when the man was having a moment.
Lissette approached Xavier, feeling a strong urge to comfort him. She didn’t even know what was bothering him, what would cloud his eyes with deep sadness she could feel all the way to her bones.
“Who should’ve had a chance at love and happiness?” Lissette said lightly, coming to stand behind him, choosing to approach him with humor, not pity. She suspected he wouldn’t appreciate pity any more than she did. “Are you talking about Johnny?”
Xavier’s lips twisted as he turned toward the door, avoiding her gaze. “Yeah, Johnny deserves a chance at love and happiness. Has Gisele considered getting him a mate?”
“I asked her if she was coming back with one when she and Rafael returned from Mexico.”
“What did she say?” Xavier asked without facing her.
Get me a beer, woman! Johnny called out.
Lissette forced a laugh. “She said it wouldn’t be fair to the female. As Johnny puts it, he’s a cheeky bastard.”
“Ready to go?” Xavier asked, his words terse, distant.
“I am,” she said, leading the way out and turning to lock the door behind them. “I figure we have about an hour before it’s dark. I don’t think folks will open the door to me or anyone else after sunset.”
“You’re probably right.” He held the passenger door open for her and waited until she climbed into the seat. Then he closed the door and hurried around the truck to slide behind the wheel. “How many more people do you need to visit?”
She’d buckled her belt and had pulled the basket onto her lap, sifting through the remaining packages.
“Five,” she announced. “Most of them are here in town. One is half a mile out at the end of the canal. If all goes well, we can make it through them all. I mean, it doesn’t take much time for each of them to open a door, take one look at me, and slam it in my face. ”
Xavier reached across the console, took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry. I know it must be disheartening.”
She stared down at their clasped hands, her eyes welling with tears she’d be damned if she let fall. “It’s okay. I expected this would happen. I know it will take time for me to prove I’m not out to hurt anyone and even longer for anyone to trust me. Hell, I wouldn’t trust me. I really was a shit.”
“So, I’ve heard,” Xavier said with a crooked grin.
Lissette pulled in a deep breath and let it out. “Let’s finish this, and I’ll buy you dinner at the diner.”
“Deal,” he said and drove to the first house, a few blocks away on Main Street.
As they pulled up to the house, Lissette glanced to the right and frowned. “That’s Mrs. Paget heading toward us. She isn’t usually out and about on her own.”
The older woman walked with a cane, taking one step at a time, moving at a glacial pace.
Lissette dropped down from the truck and started toward her. “Hello, Mrs. Paget.”
The woman squinted as she walked. “Who dat?” she asked with a deep Cajun accent.
“It’s Lissette Gautier,” Lissette called out.
As she neared the woman, she noted the buckle in the concrete sidewalk. It had been there for as long as Lissette could remember, and Mrs. Paget was headed straight for it.
“What are you doing out and about?” the older woman said. “Shouldn’t you still be in jail?”
Lissette didn’t answer. She dove for the older woman as her foot caught the edge of concrete jutting up from the sidewalk.
Mrs. Paget pitched forward, her cane flying out to the side.
Lissette reached her in time to break her fall.
Mrs. Paget slammed into Lissette’s chest, knocking her backward.
Lissette staggered until she hit a solid wall behind her.
Strong hands rose around her and Mrs. Paget.
“Mon Dieu!” the woman cried, leaning precariously against Lissette as she fought to get her feet beneath her.
“I’ve got you,” Xavier said behind her. “Can you help her stand?”
“I think so.” Lissette wrapped her arms around the woman and pulled her up until she stood straight, still holding onto Lissette’s arms.
“Mon Dieu,” she said again, her voice shaking.
“Are you okay?” Lissette asked, peering down into the woman’s eyes. “Anything hurt?”
“Let me check,” she said and let go of Lissette.
Lissette moved to stand beside her, slipping an arm around her waist to steady her as Mrs. Paget ran her hands over her arms and chest, as if verifying she was still all there.
“I’m okay,” she said. “I’m okay. I’ve walked this sidewalk for fifty years. I knew that crack was there and the cement was raised. I told Jimmy Sarli the tree he planted all those years ago would spread roots all the way out to the street and damage the sidewalk. I told him so.”
“Can you make it the rest of the way to the house?” Lissette asked.
“Of course, I can, mon cher.”
When Xavier handed her cane to her, she smacked it on the sidewalk. “I’m old, not an invalid.”
“Do you mind if I walk with you?” Lissette asked. “You know the sidewalk better than I do.”
“I do,” she said, her hand shaking on her cane. “Just not too close. What would the neighbors say if they saw me with a convicted felon?”
Lissette’s lips pressed together.
“Why are you here, anyway?” the older woman asked.
“Madame Gautier sent me. She sprained her ankle and can’t get around for a while. I’m making her house calls.”
“As you should,” the woman said. “Your grandmother took you in when your mother ran off.”
“Yes, she did,” Lissette said.
They arrived at the front door of Mrs. Paget’s cottage.
Xavier left them to return to the truck.
Mrs. Paget turned to face Lissette. She shook her head, a frown creasing her brow, her disappointment palpable. “Your grandmother is a dear friend of mine. She did a lot for you, and how did you repay her?”
“By being the worst possible human on the planet.” A single tear slipped from the corner of Lissette’s eye. “I know, and I’m sorry.”
The old woman’s frown softened. “Have you told her?”
Lissette nodded. “I have, but it’s not enough.”
The old woman took Lissette’s hands in hers. “Tell her again and keep telling her until she believes you.”
Xavier approached the two women, carrying the food Lissette’s grandmother had sent for her. He held back in silence.
“Mrs. Paget, Grand-mère sent you some of her famous crawfish étouffée.” Lissette took the container from Xavier. “Let me carry it inside for you.”
Her grandmother’s old friend smiled. “She knows how much I love her étouffée. You tell her thank you and give her a big hug from ol’ Eunice. I’d come see her, but I don’t have a boat.”
“You let me know when, and I’ll take you. She’d love a visit.” Lissette smiled at the woman.
Mrs. Paget opened her door and held it for Lissette to enter.
“Are you sure?” Lissette asked. “Someone might see me.”
“Let de tongues wag. You’re de granddaughter of my dear friend. You’re always welcome.”
Lissette carried the étouffée into the woman’s kitchen, put it in the refrigerator and told her about the thefts at the cemetery. “Now, you be extra careful until we find the reliquaries and get them back to where they belong. And keep up with the weather.”
“I will,” she said. “They say it’s headed this way and that it might be as bad as Katrina.”
“It might,” Lissette agreed. “We might have to evacuate. Be ready and let someone know if you need help.”
Mrs. Paget pressed a kiss to each of Lissette’s cheeks. “Thank you, mon cher.” Then she patted Xavier’s cheek. “Take care of my friend’s granddaughter.”
“I will,” Xavier promised.
They left moments later.