I laughed and the others relaxed a bit. “I’ve been getting that a lot.”
They all smiled, obviously relieved, and Deborah said, “We were almost beginning to worry.” Ada elbowed her and she said, “What? We were! He’s never brought any girls around before and you know what it’s like out there in Los Angeles.”
I stifled a laugh. Poor guy, if he knew what his family thought…
I glanced out the window to see him pacing with his phone to his ear and a cigarette dangling from his lips. That didn’t look good.
“So if you don’t mind my askin’, how did y’all meet?” Claudine seemed very friendly and I didn’t think it would hurt to at least tell them the basics.
“I met him a couple of weeks ago. Daryl brought the band into my shop.”
They were staring as if they expected more.
Deborah asked, “What kind of shop do you have, chère?”
I smiled and thought to myself that if Devon brought me to meet them, I guess he was prepared for their reaction to me. “I run a tattoo shop in the Quarter called Pins and Needles. My girlfriend Mackenzie does piercing and hair there as well.”
They were trying desperately to not be intrusive or discourteous to me but I could tell this was surprising for them.
“Well, that sounds interesting. Where ya from originally?” Claudine was obviously the most diplomatic of the group.
“I’m from Northern California. Near San Francisco. I moved here a year and a half ago. We opened the shop almost a year ago. Daryl knew the guy who was selling and helped us get set up. I’d tattooed him and a bunch of his friends already so I almost had a built in clientele.”
A few other customers came in so Deborah and Ada went back to the kitchen and Jeanette went to take care of them.
Claudine smiled at me. “And how do you like living in New Orleans?”
“I love it there. I’ve met some great people and my business is doing very well.”
She smiled and looked out the window to where Devon was still pacing. “Well, I’m glad Devon has met someone. That poor man has been through so much heartache.”
I nodded. “He has. I’m grateful we met, too.”
She winked at me and I took a drink of my Diet Coke as Devon came back in. He sat on the bench next to me, his body turned toward me with one leg still behind me. He placed his hand on my lower back and let out a frustrated sigh.
“Everything ok,” I asked him.
He took a drink of his sweet tea and nodded. “Yeah, he was just calling from the airport to tell me that Rudy is picking him up because Daryl’s not feeling well.” He was scowling.
“Shall I assume that the call didn’t go well?”
He grunted and took another drink of his tea.
“I’ll leave you two be now. Do you know what y’all would like to eat?”
I turned to Devon and said, “Order whatever for me.”
He perked up a little and ordered the alligator boudin, biscuits, and red beans and rice. Claudine said she’d have it out right quick and we thanked her.
“I’m sorry about that. Marcus just wanted to go over the details of the studio time with Scott. I don’t even want to think about that yet.”
I placed my hand against his cheek and said, “And you don’t have to. Let yourself have the rest of the day to not think about it.”
He melted into my hand and then leaned forward and kissed me sweetly.
“Instead, you can think about whatever it is your cousins will be saying to each other in the back about your new tattooed girlfriend.”
He laughed. “Funny. I’m sure they’re just glad to learn I’m not gay.”
I had been taking a drink when he said this and it went down the wrong pipe. I started coughing and sputtering.
He rubbed my back, concerned. “Sorry, chère. You alright?”
I nodded and as soon as I could catch my breath I said, “They really thought that?”
He pulled me into him, resting his chin on my head. “Probably. The last time I was here they were asking questions about whether I was seeing anyone, trying to find out without asking outright. I was probably not too forthcoming and might have let them think otherwise just to see them squirm.”
I slapped lightly at his thigh. “That wasn’t nice, Devon.”
He laughed again. “Well, served them right for being nosy! I’m just picky. I hadn’t found you yet. Seems I was right to be picky.”
I leaned into him and enjoyed the warmth of his embrace.
“Can’t say I’m sorry you waited.” I grinned up at him and he kissed my forehead.
Jeanette came out with our food and asked me, “Is it true you’re a tattoo artist?”
I nodded and Devon said, “Yes, she is, and she’s amazing!”
Jeanette’s eyes flared and she looked behind her to make sure none of the ladies were listening. “I have wanted to get a tattoo forever! Can I come see you sometime?”
I told her, “Of course. I can get you one of my cards. I think I have one in my bag out in the car. I need to use the restroom anyway.”
She pointed towards the restroom, which was near the front of the restaurant so I told Devon I’d be right back and he winked at me. I took a second to look at him before I left. He seemed weary but happy. I figured I should get him back to my place and let him rest after this, although I had no idea what else he had planned for the day.
I walked out to the car and looked through my backpack. I found one of our shop cards at the bottom of the last pocket. I also checked my phone and saw a text from Mackenzie. I quickly answered her that we’d come out to Houma and that I would check in with her when we got back tonight. When I came back in the restaurant, I saw that Claudine and Jeanette were back talking to Devon, so I used the restroom to give them some time to grill him about me.
I was nervous about what they thought, sure, but I knew I had the blessing of Daryl and Marie. I figured that counted for something. I washed up and took a minute to collect myself. When I came back to the table, they smiled widely. I sat down next to Devon, who turned again to face me and pull me into him.
“We’ll let you two eat in peace. Thanks for coming in, darlin’ and tell your mama we miss her.”
“I will, Aunt Claudine. And thank you for lunch.”
They all smiled knowingly at me and walked back to their duties. I turned to Devon and raised an eyebrow at him.
“So?”
He looked back innocently and took a bite of his sausage while I buttered a biscuit. “So? So what?”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “So? Did they lecture you about being involved with a woman of ill repute?”
It was his turn to almost choke. “No, Jaylene, they most certainly did not lecture me about you! There is nothing ill about you, would you quit! Why? Did they say anything to you?”
I shook my head taking a bite of the sausage and closed my eyes, overcome with the sensation of the delicious meal. “Oh, that’s divine.” I chewed and swallowed.
He never took his eyes off of me. Then he frowned. “Did they say something negative to you, chère,” he asked softly.
I didn’t want him to worry so I said, “No, they didn’t say anything to me. They were perfectly nice. But it’s obvious they love you and they probably think my line of work is a little scandalous.”
He shook his head at me. “Jaylene, there’s nothing scandalous about your work and to be honest, Claudine was telling me how glad she was to see me finally happy. She also said you were beautiful and wondered when the wedding would be.”
My eyes flew open wide and I turned to him to find him chuckling.
“What? Would that be a bad thing?”
“She did not just ask you that!”
He was laughing soundlessly at my reaction. I could feel my cheeks flushing. “She did too. Chère, we Boudreauxs don’t mess around when it comes to love. When we find someone we want, we usually snatch them up quick. My daddy asked Mama to marry him just two weeks
after their first date, so you better be ready.” He was teasing me but part of me felt like he was testing me.
“Well, what did you tell her?”
He stopped laughing and he turned serious. “I told her as soon as I could convince you, I would marry you.” He smiled sheepishly and I just sat there in shock.
I had no comeback for that.
“Does that scare you,” he asked quietly.
I took a drink and just stared back at him. “Probably not as much as it should. It’s crazy though, isn’t it crazy?”
He shook his head. “It’s not crazy. I’d ask you right now if I didn’t think you’d run screaming from me.”
I laughed nervously. “I don’t know if I’d run screaming, but I…”
He kissed me firmly on the lips, taking away what was left of my thoughts, and then shook his head. “Don’t answer me now. I’m not asking, yet. But that’s where my head’s at.” He smiled and kissed me again.
We finished our lunch and Devon walked up to the counter to pay. Claudine kissed him on the cheek and tried to wave away his money. I stood next to him and heard her say, “You don’t have to do that, Devon.”
“I know, but I want to. You ladies take care and thanks for lunch.”
Jeanette gave him a hug and the others waved.
“Thank you so much, it was nice to meet you.”
They all hugged me again.
Claudine lingered and whispered to me, “Take care of him, darlin’.”
She kissed me on the cheek and I whispered back, “I will.”
We waved goodbye and walked out to the Chevelle. Devon opened my door for me.
As we pulled away he said, “I’m glad it’s still in family hands, but I’m more glad Mama’s not killing herself there anymore.”
“I bet,” I said. “I would think running a restaurant is very hard work.”
“Especially after Daddy passed. And now she can do whatever she likes, she’s near Uncle Daryl and soon I’ll be back too.” He took my hand and kissed it as we turned onto the highway.
Devon was smiling to himself and humming on the way back to New Orleans. I couldn’t help but watch him. He had his left arm rested on the window ledge, and his long legs took up so much of the room under the dash. His hair was pushed back and he’d left the beanie at home. I loved his hair however he wore it. His lips were a darker red today than usual, which drew my attention. He held my hand in between shifting and absently stroked my wrist with his thumb. I must have sighed louder than I thought because he looked over at me.
“You still with me, chère?”
I smiled, loving the term of endearment he used with me. For the most part his accent was very slight but today it was back, perhaps thanks to the visit home.
“I’m with you. Just admiring the view. If I didn’t think I’d get car sick I’d have my sketchbook out right now.”
He smirked. “Thanks for coming with me today. I wanted to take you out somewhere today to forget about everything, but since I’m probably leaving after next week, I needed to do this today.”
“I understand. I’m glad you took me with you. Just being outside for a while made it perfect. Well, that and being with you.”
He squeezed my hand and brought it up to his lips to press gentle kisses against my knuckles.
“So what’s next?” I increasingly believed that getting back to my flat would be the perfect way to end the day, but I didn’t want to ruin any plans he had.
He glanced over at me. “Well, I had thought about taking you to a movie or something, but I kind of just want to take you to bed. Is that presumptuous of me?”
I laughed and scooted closer to him so I could whisper in his ear. “I like presumptuous. I was just thinking the same thing.”
I kissed his ear, tugging lightly on his hoop and he let go of my hand to steady the wheel. His voice came out gravelly. He was too damn sexy when his voice got like that.
“You’re going to have to stop that if you want us to make it back to your place.”
I laughed softly and kissed his neck before resting my head on his shoulder. “Sorry, couldn’t be helped. And I really like this bench seat up here. Way to go Chevrolet.”
He laughed and put his hand on my thigh, stroking it gently. “I like it, too, if it means you’re sitting close to me.”
I smiled. I loved that he had his hands on me as much as possible. I wanted to tell him as much since I really had no idea what I was doing with this whole boyfriend thing.
“Devon I really love it that you are affectionate with me when we’re alone and when we’re with others. It’s new for me, but I like it. It’s just one of the many things you do that makes me feel loved.”
His hand stopped moving for a moment and I heard him take in a breath. “My daddy and mama were always touching when they were together. It was like their bodies were connected even if they weren’t physically touching. After he died, I think that was one of the hardest things for Mama to get used to. Maggie said to me once that physical expressions of love were often more important than words because you can’t fake a touch. Your intentions are clear. Even if you’re having sex with someone, it’s clear whether it’s fucking or making love. It’s the truest way you can express yourself.”
I smiled and shook my head. “Man, Maggie was a smart lady. I knew that, but the more you tell me about her the more I think she was one of those people that you maybe come across once in a lifetime. I’m glad I met her. I really wish she was still here.”
He nodded soberly. “I do, too. I feel like she is. I know what you said in the cemetery, about hoping they aren’t in pain anymore, but I don’t think Maggie would be in pain watching us. She might get pissed if we screw up, but I feel like every action I take I can still hear her words to me from growing up, guiding me. I don’t know how she got so damn smart. She was always wise beyond her years. But I’ll take it. If that’s all I have left of her I’m not forgetting her wisdom.”
We drove in silence the rest of the way back to my flat. I thought a lot about what he said and it was so right. I was a failure with words in so many ways, but my drawings expressed my feelings clearly and I could never hide how I was feeling about something in a drawing. Words could certainly be false. What worried me was that when Devon left in a week or so, all we’d have would be each other’s words, whether it would be phone calls, texts, etc. That's all we’d have of each other for a while. Maybe that was what I was afraid of. With him here, touching me, smiling at me, I knew where I stood.
When we got back to my flat we could hear loud music and banging next door. Mackenzie’s door was open so I peeked inside.
“Hello? Are you decent?” I shouted a couple of times before opening the door all the way.
When I did, I found Mackenzie in a sheer bra and underwear set, her hair piled up high on her head. She was pummeling a piece of meat on the counter. Star was beside her in his boxer briefs mashing potatoes. The music was blaring so loud they couldn’t hear us come in so we stood there watching them for a moment before Mackenzie looked up and saw me. The mallet she was using flew out of her hand, hit Star in the eye, and caused him to fling potato all over Mackenzie and the cabinets.
“Ow, what the hell is it with you women in the kitchen!” He was holding his eye.
Mackenzie grabbed the steak she was tenderizing and slapped it against his face. ”Oh, baby, are you alright?” She was kissing the non-steak covered side of his face.
He was smiling broadly and he cupped her ass with his hands and lifted her onto the counter. Devon cleared his throat and they only sort of looked over.
“We’re back but, ah, we’ll just be going. Didn’t mean to interrupt,” I said and Mackenzie wrapped her legs around Star’s waist.
“No problem. You guys want to join us for steak?”
Devon laughed. “Not anymore.”
Star whispered something to Mackenzie and she sighed loudly, his mouth moving down her neck.
I calle
d out, “Thanks, but I think we’ll just let you guys continue whatever it is you are doing.”
Star was starting to pull Mackenzie’s bra straps down as Devon turned and I followed him out the door.
"I guess we know what they were up to today.” He laughed, pulling at his soul patch.
I grinned up at him. “Yes and I think I like that plan myself.”
He closed my door behind us and pulled me in for a kiss that quickly got serious. We moved together to the bedroom, our lips never leaving each other’s, and in our wake, a trail of clothes landed on several surfaces.
But just as we fell on the bed together he stilled. We lay like that for a long time just looking into each other’s eyes.
“Today was a great day, Devon. Thank you for taking me to meet your family.
He smiled and kissed my shoulder. “Today was great because you were with me, beautiful girl. I feel like I could spend all day, every day with you and still not ever get enough of you.”
I giggled. “I wouldn’t go that far. You have seen many sides of me, Devon, and not cringed in sheer horror. You’ve seen me when I wake in the morning, even smelled my morning breath and lived to tell about it. But there are things about me you still don’t know and you might not be able to handle them, pretty boy.”
Devon burst out laughing and pulled me on top of him. “You are too much, chère. What could I possibly not be able to handle about you?”
I thought long and hard. I needed to do my best to gross him out or at least prepare him. “I don’t shave every day.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Please, Jaylene…”
I held up a hand. “You have to let me finish. I talk in movies, well, at movies actually. I yell and scream and laugh embarrassingly loud.”
He was trying very hard to listen without commentary.
“I have horrible gas in the mornings after eating green vegetables. I am prone to adult acne. I’ve only been so drunk I threw up once, but I did it spectacularly.”
He let a laugh escape. “Aw, chère you gotta tell me that one at least.”
I shook my head, “Will you please let me finish?”
He pulled his face into the most serious expression he could, which was extremely silly.
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