The Settlement

by Ali Spooner

  Cadin followed him onto the boat and sat in a bucket seat. “Better strap in and put these on,” he said, handing her a protective headset for her ears. He cranked the powerful motor.

  Even with protection, she could hear the roar of the motor as he gave the boat gas and they sped away from the dock. She let out a gasp of surprise at the speed in which they departed the farm and settled into her seat.

  Rupe expertly propelled the boat through the swamp. She looked to her right as he slowed when he reached an area that was home to several large alligators. “There are some big boys sunning on the bank,” he said, pointing them out to her.

  She saw their hides coated in mud, camouflaging them in the weedy banks. They remained so still Cadin had to strain her eyes to see them. They were huge, well over ten feet long. “Holy cow,” she said and turned to see Rupe smiling.

  He nodded and increased speed and then turned down a canal and cut the motor, guiding the boat toward a tree. “Let’s see if Rupe’s got lunch,” he said as he moved to the front of the boat and grabbed a tree branch to slow the approach. His hand found the cable attached to a wire trap, pulled it from the water, and balanced it on the edge of the boat to allow the water to drain from the trap.

  Cadin saw the trap half full of tiny lobster-looking creatures.

  “Oh yeah, Rupe’s gonna have some mudbugs,” he said as he opened the top of the trap and dumped the contents into a five-gallon bucket.

  “Now those I have had in Atlanta,” Cadin told him.

  “I guarantee they don’t taste as good in Atlanta.”

  “You’re probably right. I will have to try those too, before I head back to Atlanta.”

  Rupe cocked his head and looked at her. “What brings you to the bayou from Atlanta?”

  “I’m just taking some time to see some of the country,” she answered.

  He shook his head. “I don’t see how folks can live in those big cities.”

  “It’s a different world out here, that’s for sure,” Cadin said. “I’ve really enjoyed being away from the city.”

  “Not a bad place to hang your hat and call home.”

  “No, sir, not at all,” she answered.

  “You want to see more of the bayou?”

  Her face lit up with excitement. “Yes, if you have the time.”

  Rupe laughed. “I always have time for the bayou.”

  He started the motor and gave her a proper tour of his bayou. When she saw the farm come into sight, Cadin was disappointed the ride was over. Rupe killed the motor and pulled up to the dock. He secured the boat and offered her his hand. “Careful now, this isn’t the spot to go for a swim,” he teased.

  She took off the headset and placed it on the seat before taking his hand and stepping carefully onto the dock.

  Rupe picked up the bucket holding his lunch and joined her on the dock. “Would you care to join me for lunch?”

  “I would love to, but I already have a commitment in Bogalusa,” she said.

  “Thanks for coming by then and have a safe ride back,” he said as they walked back to the main building.

  “What do I owe you for the tour?”

  “Wasn’t really a tour,” he said.

  “It was your time and fuel. That’s not free. Will this cover it?” she asked, handing him two twenties.

  “I can’t take that from you, missy.”

  “Think of it as a down payment for lunch and Abitas next time I come through then,” she said.

  “You have a deal,” he said and pocketed her money. “Do come back when you can.”

  “I will,” Cadin said and strolled to her bike.

  Rupe waved and watched her ride away.

  †

  Cadin opened up the bike on the return trip, and made it back to Bogalusa at one.

  “Welcome back,” Emma said as she entered the diner.

  “Thanks, I hope you have something good for lunch. I passed up on mudbugs,” she said with a grin.

  “Well, I don’t have mudbugs, but I think I can find something you’ll eat around here. Where did you go?”

  “I’m not actually sure, but I spent an enjoyable morning with a man named Rupe on his alligator farm and he took me on an airboat ride.”

  “Those are always fun,” Emma said. “What are you hungry for? We had turkey clubs and fries for the special today.”

  “That will work for me.”

  “I think I’ll join you,” Emma said.

  The door opened and Johnny walked into the diner. “You have any food left?”

  “Of course, come on in. I was about to make turkey clubs and fries for Cadin and me. Does that suit you or do you want something heavier?”

  “That’ll do just fine,” he said and took a seat by Cadin. “How are you today?”

  “Doing great thanks, and you?”

  “Fantastic, I’m ready to start ripping this place apart.”

  “Hey now, not for another day yet,” Emma hollered from the kitchen.

  “I got a lot done this morning. Everything’s ordered, got the permits and the crew will be here at six Friday morning to do the demolition.”

  “Do you have painters on your crew?” Cadin asked.

  “Sure do, we going to paint too?”

  “Emma got such a good deal on the equipment, that we had money left over from the budget.”

  Emma returned carrying the first two plates. “What color would you suggest?” she asked him.

  “I’d stick to an off-white close to the base of the tile to make the room appear larger and lighter,” he said. “You can always add decorations to bring in some color.”

  She poured three glasses of tea and returned to the kitchen for her plate. Before she took her seat she reached under the counter for a keychain and handed it to him

  “What’s this?”

  “You will need a key to the front door, so you can get inside Friday. Meagan and I are going to Baton Rouge with Cadin to get her registered for college.”

  “That’s great news. By the time y’all make it back, you will see how much we were able to get done.”

  Cadin reached into her pocket and pulled out her wallet. “Before I forget, here’s the check for the equipment. It will be ready Friday morning.”

  Johnny tucked the check away in his wallet. “Will you call the shelter and see if they can come pick up the tables and chairs after you close Thursday night? I can provide some muscle if they need help loading,” he offered.

  “I’ll give them a call this afternoon,” Emma said.

  “What about the booths?” Cadin asked.

  “I’m having a construction Dumpster delivered Thursday night. We’ll toss them in there with the other demolition materials.”

  †

  Meagan walked in as they were finishing their lunch. “You’re here early.”

  “I know, Mom, Coach is still out sick.”

  “What does your Friday look like?”

  “Nothing special, classes as usual.”

  “No tests or anything you can’t miss?”

  “No, ma’am, why?” she asked.

  “Because you’re playing hooky and we’re going to Baton Rouge with Cadin. We need to get your application in and get you set for college in the fall.”

  “Awesome,” she said and gave her mom a high five. She turned to Cadin. “I talked with my counselor today and she’s going to start an application to LSU for me. I’ll let her know we’re going up Friday so we can have it ready to go.”

  “That will make the trip go faster,” Cadin said. “We can look at housing options while we’re there since they are limited on dorm rooms.”

  “I can help with that,” Johnny piped in. “I have an aunt who lives near campus and would love to rent you a room.”

  Meagan let out a squeal of excitement and clapped her hands.

  “See, honey everything is falling into place,” Emma said. “Could we meet with your aunt Friday?”

  “I’ll get it arranged f
or you and call you with the address.”

  “Thanks,” Meagan said and hugged his neck.

  “Hey, what’s the dinner special tonight?” he asked.

  “Country fried steak, and mashed potatoes with bacon gravy, fresh green beans, and hot rolls,” Emma said.

  “I’d better get to peeling potatoes then,” Meagan said.

  “I’ll start snapping the beans in a bit,” Emma said.

  “I can help with that,” Cadin said. “I don’t have plans for the rest of the afternoon.”

  “I think that’s my cue to leave,” Johnny said. “I’ll get the painters arranged and see you around six.”

  “Later, Johnny,” Emma said after ringing up his meal and giving him change.

  †

  Cadin spent the afternoon snapping beans and helping Emma and Meagan in the kitchen, Toni, the main cook, was due back to work at three, and they had put together a good start to the dinner special by the time she arrived.

  Emma cracked up laughing when she placed the beans in a pressure cooker and Cadin suddenly decided it was time to leave the kitchen. “What’s wrong?”

  “My grandma used one of those when I was growing up, and I was terrified the thing would explode. That danged jiggler’s noise gives me the creeps.”

  “Actually they are relatively safe, as long as you pay proper attention. They will give these beans a great start to cooking and then I’ll finish them off on the stove.”

  “You go right ahead then. Do you have something I can do on the other side of the kitchen?”

  Emma stifled her laughing to answer. “You can fry up some bacon that we’ll use in the gravy, so don’t throw away the grease.”

  “I’m all over it, boss,” Cadin answered and went to work. She found that she was enjoying the time spent in the kitchen with the others, but learned a life in a diner kitchen wasn’t something she wanted to do full time. Still, it was a great way to see how hard Emma and Meagan worked to make ends meet.

  When they finished all the prep work for dinner, Emma looked at Cadin. “Thanks for your help, but it’s time for you to take a break.”

  Cadin wiped the sweat from her brow. “I won’t argue with you at all. That’s hard work.”

  Emma led them to the counter for a glass of tea. “I reckon I’ve just gotten used to the work.”

  Cadin was about to comment when the door opened and a young woman entered carrying a dusty backpack. “Are you still open?”

  “Yes, come on in, we are about to start serving dinner,” Emma said. “You look a bit thirsty.”

  “Yes, ma’am, I’ve been walking all day. I’d love some sweet tea if you have it.”

  Emma chuckled. “I’d have to close down if I didn’t.” Emma showed her to a table and handed her a menu.

  The young woman grinned back at her. “I reckon so,” she said as she accepted the menu.

  “It’s none of my business, but are you traveling alone?”

  The woman sat up straighter in her seat. “Yes, I am. I’ve been on the road for a few weeks now.”

  Cadin heard the woman’s response and turned to give her a closer look. She would be surprised if she were twenty years old. She was lean and dusty from the road, looking like she could use a hot shower and a few good meals.

  “Isn’t it dangerous being alone?” Emma asked.

  “It can be if you aren’t careful.”

  “I’d be scared to death if my daughter was out on her own like that,” Emma said.

  Cadin watched as the woman’s eyes cringed with anger or maybe hurt. “That’s a big difference between you and my mama then, she could care less.”

  “Are you talking about me again, Mama?” Meagan said as she walked out of the kitchen.

  The young woman’s eyes widened and she smiled at Meagan. “Hey,” she said as Meagan approached.

  “Hey, yourself,” Meagan answered.

  “Like I said, we are about to get ready to serve dinner, so you are welcome to join us,” Emma said, looking between her daughter and the young woman.

  “That would be great,” she answered, not taking her eyes off Meagan.

  “We have a really good special tonight,” Meagan said.

  “Anything hot will be a blessing. My name’s Serena.”

  “I’m Meagan and this is my mom, Emma, and our friend Cadin,” she said, nodding toward Cadin, who had turned in her seat. “She’s a traveler too,” Meagan said.

  “Is that your bike out front?” she asked as Cadin approached.

  “Yes, ma’am, it is,” she said as she took a seat at the table.

  “Let’s get some food out here,” Emma said to Meagan.

  Serena watched them return to the kitchen and then turned to find Cadin watching her. “So, where are you from?”

  “A little town called Moscow in Tennessee,” she answered. “I left there about three weeks ago.”

  “What made you leave home?”

  “My mama’s new boyfriend; he wanted a group package,” she sneered. “I’m not into boys and especially not greasy old men.”

  Cadin chuckled. “I can appreciate that. So where are you headed?”

  Serena shrugged. “I thought I might head down to New Orleans. I hear people are a little more tolerant of my kind there.”

  “That’s not a place to be if you plan on living on the street,” Emma said as she carried out two plates with Meagan right behind her with two more.

  “I hope I can find some work and a place to stay, but if not I’ll just keep moving.”

  “Emma is right, it’s very dangerous to be traveling alone,” Cadin said.

  “Probably not any less dangerous than staying at home,” Serena answered.

  “Enough serious talk for now,” Emma said. “Let’s eat before the dinner crowd arrives.”

  The food, as usual, was delicious and Cadin watched Serena attack her meal with gusto. “How long has it been since you’ve had a hot meal?”

  “A couple of weeks, I’ve been living on potted meat and crackers. This food is beyond delicious, reminds me of my grandma’s cooking.”

  Emma smiled at the praise. “What kind of work can you do?”

  “I’ve done waitressing at a truck stop, but I can wash dishes, bus tables, and I’m a decent breakfast cook.”

  Cadin’s eyes caught Emma’s with a smile as they both had similar thoughts.

  “Could you eat a second plate?” Cadin asked.

  Serena hung her head. “Yes, but I can’t afford another.”

  “That’s not what I asked,” she said.

  “Yes, I could eat another, ma’am.”

  “Don’t ma’am me, I’m not that old yet,” Cadin said. “Meagan, will you bring another plate?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” she said, and Cadin shot her a grin.

  When Emma finished her meal, she stood to clear some of the plates. Cadin picked up a handful and followed her into the kitchen. She set the plates on the bus cart and turned to look at Emma. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

  “That I should hire her to help around here,” Emma answered.

  Cadin’s grin answered her question. “What do you think?”

  “Normally I would be wary of hiring a total stranger, but your appearance has taught me that strangers can turn out well. You seem to be a good judge of people. Do you believe her story?”

  “No warning whistles are going off in my head. She’s seems to be in a tough spot, and I’d hate to see her end up on the streets of New Orleans.”

  “Do you think I should give her a try?”

  “We only have one day left before demolition begins, but I’d vote yes, if I have a vote that is,” Cadin answered. “I’ll get her a room tonight so she can get cleaned up and do some laundry if needed. Is there someplace she can rent afterward if she works out?”

  “I have an extra room. I’ll talk it over tonight with Meagan and see what she thinks about Serena staying with us at least temporarily.”

  “May I make
a suggestion then?”

  “Sure, you’ve done right by me so far.” She grinned.

  “If she works well tomorrow, offer her a place rent free, but she works for tips in lieu of paying rent.”

  Emma’s eyes lit up. “That’s a great idea.”

  “Offer a trial workday tomorrow and I’ll take care of her tonight and tomorrow night. If you get a good feeling for her tomorrow and Meagan’s okay with her moving in you can make the offer then.”

  “That sounds like a plan. Will you get her here by six?”

  “Is breakfast included?”

  “You know it is,” Emma said.

  Meagan walked into the kitchen at that moment. “You know, Mom, I was thinking,” she said.

  “Yes, dear,” Emma said with a wink to Cadin.

  “Well, you know Cadin said you’d need to hire someone to replace me, so why not Serena? She has experience and seems nice.”

  Cadin was the first to break out in laughter.

  Meagan looked at her and then at her smiling mother.

  “We were just discussing the same thing,” Emma said and Meagan joined in the laughter.

  “Great minds think alike,” Cadin said. “Now who has room for some apple pie?” she asked.

  “Obviously you do,” Emma said. “Grab a pie and I’ll bring some plates. Meagan, grab the tea pitcher.”

  Cadin carried the pie to the table. “Are ready for dessert?”

  “I’m stuffed,” Serena said then saw the pie Cadin placed on the table. “That looks good though.”

  “Maybe just a little piece then,” Cadin said.

  Meagan served the pie as Emma turned to Serena. “We have an idea to run past you,” she said. “Meagan will be going off to college next fall and I need someone to help me during the day now while she’s in school. Would you be interested in working here?”

  Serena nearly choked on the bite of pie she was gulping down. “Yes, ma’am, I’d like to give it a try.”

  “Fine then,” Emma said. “Cadin’s going to get you a room for two nights at the hotel she’s staying in to get cleaned up and a good night’s rest. She will bring you back at six in the morning and we’ll see how you do.”

  Tears filled her eyes as Serena looked from one face to the next. “You’d really do that for me?”