Between Dusk and Dawn

by Lynn Emery

  “So you have been doing a background check on him,” LaShaun said eagerly. “Mr. Clean has his skeletons in the closet. Now that makes sense. He seems like a man who likes the ladies.”

  “Whoa, slow down. I didn’t say he was all that bad, and from what I hear that was a long time ago.”

  “Yeah, you didn’t see the way this middle-aged nurse at Shady Grove got all possessive.” LaShaun squinted. “And Miss Flora Lee didn’t talk about how good he was to her and the kids either. In fact, I got the impression that she’d led a miserable life. She went on and on about how she should have protected her daughters. At first I thought she meant from their brother or even Manny, but maybe she was talking about Mr. Orin.”

  “I haven’t heard any such talk,” Chase replied with a shrug.

  “Lots of family secrets stay hidden for years when it comes to abuse.” LaShaun leaned forward warming to her line of logic.

  Chase started to object then stopped. His expression darkened. “You’re right. I’ve seen enough in my time on the job to know that’s the truth.”

  “Mr. Orin wasn’t happy to see me at that nursing home talking to his wife. I got the distinct whiff of dirty secrets. Which is why I’m going to go visit one of their daughters in Texas,” LaShaun said casually and then took another sip of coffee.

  “We’re back to that. Naturally I can’t order you not to go to Beaumont,” Chase said.

  “I wouldn’t advise it, Chase Jules Broussard. You already walked across thin ice with that crack about me being busy having babies,” LaShaun warned.

  “My grandmother used to call me by my full name when I was close to getting a whippin’,” Chase quipped.

  “That’s what I’m talkin’ about,” LaShaun pointed at the end of his nose.

  He raised both hands like a suspect surrendering. “Fine, I give up. Just be very careful. Which daughter are you going to see, and do you plan to call her first?”

  “Verlena Joubert. I got the name from Miss Clo.” LaShaun sprang from her seat and found her smart phone. “She’s married to Guy Joubert. He took a job with a trucking company about two years ago and they moved from Lake Charles to Beaumont. Miss Clo says she always wondered why the girls just disappeared. But everybody says Mr. Orin was real strict. Verlena and her two sisters all left one by one home in their late teens. Diane is the oldest, not that much older than Manny. I think she was fourteen when he was born. Miss Clo says they treated Manny more like a little brother.”

  Chase sat with his arms folded at she talked. “I wish y’all would leave the detecting to us professionals. ”

  “She’s been real helpful. Now would you have known all of that so fast? No.” LaShaun said before Chase could take a breath to respond. When she sat at the table again she brushed a hand over his thick curls. “I promise to drive the safely, obey all traffic laws and watch my back.”

  “Well I’ll guess that will have to do since it’s obvious you’re going to Texas. Just stay away from Orin Young. I hear he has a temper when he gets riled up.” Chase finished his cup of coffee.

  “I’ll bet he does.”

  LaShaun gazed off in thought for several moments. She hardly registered that Chase cleared the table and loaded the dishwasher. He unfolded the Sunday paper and sat in the family room off the kitchen. For the next half hour LaShaun divided her thoughts between choosing the right outfit, and what she knew of the Young family. Her instinct told her there was more beneath the surface to uncover, and it could be unpleasant. Miss Flora Lee didn’t mention warm memories of her family life with Orin Young.

  LaShaun was standing the walk-in closet dressed in only a skirt and a bra, still sorting through her impressions and bits of what she’d been told. Chase’s voice startled her and she dropped the soft brown sweater she was holding.

  “That skirt is pretty, but the topless look won’t go over real big with mama. Besides you’re gonna be chilly.” Chase leaned against the door frame.

  “Cut the comedy act.” LaShaun picked up the sweater and held it to her chest. “What do you think?”

  “You look mighty fine, as usual,” Chase said with a grin and wink.

  “Right answer, but I’m serious. I want to look...normal.”

  LaShaun stepped to the full length mirror on the open closet door. The skirt was a print of brown, red and green leaves in a softly abstract fashion. Since the hem fell to her mid-calf, LaShaun intended to wear light brown suede boots. Chase appeared behind her.

  “I want you just the way you are. If I can accept you, then so can they. “ Chase gazed at her reflection in the mirror.

  She turned to face him. “I don’t want to cause any friction between you and your family. I’m used to be isolated.”

  “Any conflict happened before you came along,” he replied and turned away. “Now I better get dressed myself.”

  “Okay.” LaShaun wondered what he meant, and if she’d get a sense once she met his family.

  *****

  Almost two hours later they pulled onto the driveway of the Broussard home. The front of the two story home had lovely rust colored brinks. A long porch stretched painted white held huge planters and six rocking chairs. By its pristine condition, LaShaun also guessed that porch didn’t get much use. Everything about the property and house said that appearances meant a lot. LaShaun glanced at Chase. He seemed to sense her gaze because he gave her hand a squeeze.

  “Here we are; mama’s pride and joy. And yes, the inside is just as perfect. There’s a wide back patio where we hang out in warmer weather. A smaller screened in porch is back there as well.” Chase parked his truck in front near the end of the circular driveway.

  “It’s beautiful,” LaShaun said. “Parking out here in case we need to make a quick getaway?”

  Chase laughed hard. “We’re going to be fine. Now come on and let’s get this ordeal over with.”

  “What?” Her mouth fell open.

  “I’m teasing,” Chase said and pointed at her. “Gotcha.”

  “You--” LaShaun stopped when the lovely stained oak front door swung open. A tall woman with dark brown hair waved to them.

  “Y’all come on in,” she called out and gestured eagerly. “Everybody can’t wait to meet your friend.”

  LaShaun looked at Chase. “Your friend? You mean...”

  “We’re going to announce our engagement today.” Chase swung open the driver’s side door and pulled LaShaun across the seat. “Hey, mama. You lookin’ good as usual.”

  “Go on. I put on ten pounds this year, and my hairdresser is having a time covering all the gray hairs.” His mother grinned as she patted her short hairdo.

  “LaShaun, allow me to introduce you to Elizabeth Graves Broussard. We call her ‘Queen Bee’ cause she rules her house with an iron hand.” Chase bounded up the porch and into her embrace.

  “Stop being a rascal,” his mother replied and gave him a hug.

  Chase held out his hand to LaShaun who took it and joined them on the porch. “This beautiful woman is LaShaun Rousselle. She’s as gifted as she is good-looking.”

  “I’m so glad to finally meet you,” Mrs. Broussard said.

  “Thank you for inviting me.” LaShaun accepted the cool appraising glance that went with Mrs. Broussard’s southern lady greeting.

  “Y’all come on in.” Mrs. Broussard led the way through a wide foyer. A large round oak table stood in the center of it with a beautiful tall vase filled with fresh flowers. “We’re in the family room. No need to be formal I thought, so I didn’t set the dining room table. You’re from Beau Chene. My husband’s people owned land just outside of town.”

  “Yes, Chase’s home and the property around it are gorgeous,” LaShaun replied.

  Mrs. Broussard paused in the archway that led to the family room. Her perfectly arched eyebrows rose as she glanced at her son. “I hope Chase hasn’t turned it into a messy bachelor pad.”

  “Oh no, he’s quite the neat housekeeper. You set a great example. I love
your home.”

  “Thank you.”

  Every piece of furniture or decorative item positioned just so a bit sterile, but the compliment was genuine. Decorated in shades of green, gold and blue, the home could have been featured in a magazine. “Queen Bee” took great pleasure in having everything just right. Mrs. Broussard described several antiques inherited from both sides of the family.

  “But I’m keeping y’all all to myself when everybody is waiting to meet you,” She said after a few minutes.

  “Everybody? We agreed it would just be the four of us, mama dear,” Chase said in a measured tone.

  “You know my house is like Grand Central Station on a Sunday. Your sisters dropped in to see what I cooked, and asked questions when they saw my special red velvet cake that I only make for special occasions. Bruce, Jr. and his family saw their cars and stopped after they left morning mass.” Mrs. Broussard seemed not to notice Chase’s squinty skepticism. “I always cook a big meal because my children love Sundays at our house. It’s a tradition.”

  “Wonderful,” LaShaun murmured. She stifled a giggle at the dark look Chase gave his mother, which was totally wasted.

  “Here we are in all our glory,” Mrs. Broussard said and swept out a hand to take in the large family room.

  Six kids of various ages scampered about the room. Two older ones were engrossed in playing a video game, a fast paced tennis match. The cartoon characters of the game were displayed on a sixty-inch flat screen television mounted on a wall. The den stretched the length of the house it seemed. An oak dining room set sat at one end of the room. Two large L-shaped sofas with chairs and two wide ottomans were on the other end.

  “Baby brother!” A willowy younger version of Elizabeth Broussard strode across to them and wrapped Chase in a bear hug.

  “LaShaun, meet my sister Katie,” Chase said with a wide smile.

  “So nice to meet you.” Katie gave LaShaun a discreet, but thorough head to toe examination.

  Within minutes LaShaun and Chase were surrounded by family members, all except the two tweens. They were forced to stop playing the video game and be introduced. They made polite noises, smiled shyly then scurried back to the more interesting pursuit of competition. Bruce, Sr. had a warm approachable manner. He seemed more laid back than his wife. Chase’s other two sisters, Elaine and Sharon, came next with their husbands. Finally his older brother, Bruce Broussard, Jr. stepped forward to introduce his wife and baby girl. Bruce Jr. stared at LaShaun until his wife poked him.

  LaShaun wondered if Chase had prepared his parents and siblings to be nice. Even after twenty minutes of chatting to break the ice, no one asked about LaShaun’s family. Under the circumstances someone should have had questions. As time went on the LaShaun’s family and personal background became the elephant in the room.

  They ate delicious rotisserie chicken, macaroni cheese casserole, green beans and yeast rolls. Conversation over the meal continued to hover around safe subjects. The weather, the Saints football season and decorations for the Halloween party were exhausted. LaShaun wrestled with the powerful urge to giggle when, after a period of heavy silence, Chase’s sister-in-law went back to the weather. She covered her mouth with a napkin and pretended to clear her throat when she lost the battle not to laugh. Chase nudged her with an elbow.

  “Are you okay, dear?” Mrs. Broussard raised an eyebrow at them both.

  “Yes, ma’am,” LaShaun managed to get out. She grabbed her glass of iced tea and drank.

  “We really appreciate y’all being so polite, but really you can ask us any burning questions,” Chase said. He took LaShaun’s hand and glanced around the table.

  “What burning questions are we supposed to ask?” one of the two older children asked. Jessica had intense brown eyes and dark brown hair to match. The other children grew attentive.

  “Let’s clear these dishes,” Chase’s father said. “That way we’ll get to dessert quicker. Your mother baked her red velvet cake, kids. And we’ve got homemade vanilla ice cream.”

  “Yaaay!” came a chorus of childish voices. The older kids forgot to be too cool to join their younger siblings and cousins. When LaShaun attempted to help the rest of the adults clear the table Mr. Broussard intervened.

  “No, no. We can’t have guests carrying dirty dishes. You get this one freebie since this is your first family gathering. After this all bets are off.” Bruce, Sr. winked at her. “You won’t be a guest the next time.”

  “I won’t insist then,” LaShaun replied with a smile.

  Jessica hovered near her grandfather listening in. “She won’t be guest, paw-paw? What will she be?”

  “I’m guessing from that rock on her finger, she’s going to be family for sure,” he said with another wink.

  “Gee thanks, dad,” Chase muttered.

  “What?” His father blinked at him.

  Then Bruce, Sr. noticed the adults had all frozen in place between the table and the archway leading to the large kitchen. Mrs. Broussard still held the now empty large casserole dish when she came back. She stared at LaShaun and then sat Chase. Hard. Her thin lips pressed together.

  “Ooo, let me see.” Sharon, Chase’s youngest sister, pushed her husband aside and hurried to LaShaun.

  “Well...” LaShaun glanced at Chase for direction. When he nodded she extended her hand.

  “Yes, we’re engaged,” Chase said. He put a protective arm around LaShaun’s waist.

  “My oh my,” Bruce, Jr. said softly, which earned him another poke from his wife, Adrianna.

  “Congratulations. More reason to celebrate with cake and ice cream,” Adrianna said with a wide smile and hugged LaShaun. “Now I won’t be the only outsider.”

  “Nonsense, Adrianna. You’re part of this family,” Mrs. Broussard replied quickly, with a trace of tartness in her tone.

  “Of course, Mrs. B, I meant the only one of the family that has lived outside Louisiana. I grew up in Colorado.” Adrianna smiled at her widely as Chase’s sisters exchanged glances.

  “Thank you, Adrianna.” LaShaun filed away a memo to have a chat with Bruce’s wife later.

  “Yes, congratulations on finding the right girl,” Bruce, Jr. said with a chuckle. He seemed not to notice the way his mother glared at him.

  Bruce, Sr. rubbed his chin. “Sorry I stole your thunder, son. Guess you wanted to make a formal announcement.”

  Katie put an arm around her father’s shoulder and kissed his cheek with a laugh. “Daddy, clueless and lovable as always.”

  “So when is the big day?” Mrs. Broussard wore a smile that threatened to crack the lines in her face.

  “We haven’t picked a date yet, probably in the spring. Don’t you think, babe?” Chase said and looked at LaShaun.

  “Yes, spring,” she echoed.

  “That would be perfect,” Sharon blurted out. “What about April? It will be just cool enough we won’t swelter in the heat outside.”

  “Outside?” Chase and LaShaun said at the same time.

  “Yes, under the oak tree on the family property where our great-great grandfather proposed. Such a romantic story.” Sharon grabbed LaShaun’s arm and led her to the seating area of the den. “He was dirt poor, but adored Marguerite. He promised her father that he would one day have his own property and treat her like royalty. He made good on that promise and...”

  “Okay, little sis,” Katie broke in. “Let’s not get carried away and plan their wedding. That’s the prerogative of the bride-to-be and her mother.”

  “Her mother and grandmother are deceased,” Mrs. Broussard put in. Her husband gave her a look of censure and she clamped her lips together again.

  “My mama died when I was young. My grandmother, Odette Rousselle, died nine months ago,” LaShaun said.

  “I’m so sorry.” Sharon took one of LaShaun’s hands. “I’m officially volunteering to help in any way I can. You two just let us know what you decide. A wedding is so exciting.”

  “Yes, exciting,”
Mrs. Broussard said with none of her youngest daughter’s warmth or enthusiasm.

  During the awkward silence the two older children hovered, watching the adults closely. The four younger children happily played with toys on the floor in the seating area several feet away. They apparently didn’t notice anything usual. Chase’s father cleared his throat loudly. He clapped his hands together loudly, and his wife and daughters jumped.

  “Let’s get to that dessert, shall we? Liz, come on and help me. You kids go relax on the sofas and we’ll serve ya.” He firmly guided his wife out of the room with a hand under one of her elbows.

  “Kids, go outside with all that racket,” Sharon said. “The weather is beautiful. Enjoy the fresh air.”

  Jessica and her cousin shook their heads, but she spoke up. “No, we’ll stay here.”

  “Take your little sister and cousins outside,” Elaine said firmly. “Now.”

  “Come on, Jessi,” the boy, Kevin, said. “Paw-Paw Bruce has the radio controlled helicopters set up.”

  He didn’t wait for her to reply before turning around and heading for the sliding patio doors. Jessica frowned at her aunts and mother for a few seconds then flounced out. Moments later the adults were seated on the comfortable sofas and matching chairs. Bruce Jr. turned the television to a college football game despite the frowns the women gave him.

  “I’ll keep the sound low,” he said, unperturbed by their displeasure.

  “Odette Rousselle was your grandmother. She’s a legend in Vermillion Parish,” Elaine said. “Don’t give me the evil eye, Chase. We might as well talk about it.”

  LaShaun smiled. “I’ll answer any questions you might have.”

  Adrianna leaned forward eagerly. “I’m not from here, so tell me all about your grandmother.”

  “Ahem, I don’t think...” Sharon glanced toward the kitchen as though looking for her mother.

  “It’s okay. My grandmother has always been thought of as the Vermillion Parish version of Marie Laveau. That’s a bit of an exaggeration. Monmon Odette’s people came from Haiti in the eighteenth century. I have African, Indian and French ancestry. One of my ancestors was a French plantation owner in Natchitoches Parish. I have the land grant document from 1797 in fact.” LaShaun gave a shortened version of the lecture she’d given in Los Angeles at the museum where she worked while living there.