by Hattie Mae
Yet in many ways it felt like he’d just come yesterday. That just about summed things up about Mansir, contradictions and uncertainties. She lay back on her elbows and watched the clouds roll in.
A raindrop hit her upturned face and by the time she reached the house, the drops had turned into a downpour and she was drenched. She hurried to shower and change out of her wet clothes and maybe allow the warm water to wash away her mood.
A long rolling thunder seemed to pull everyone into the living room. “We are in for a long wet day, I do believe.” MaeMae said as she looked at the dark clouds. “I think this would be a good day to have one of our parties.” She glanced at Joelette.
Joelette nodded. “What do you think, boys? We haven't had one in a long time.”
“A just because party? Really?” Ozamae asked. “Oh boy. Are you going to make some fudge and popcorn and tell us a story, MaeMae? And mom, are you going to play your fiddle? Please? T-Boy will read us a chapter from King Arthur. I’ll do my animal game.”
“Slow down, baby, take a breath,” Joelette said.
Ozamae danced around then stopped and looked at Mansir. “What are you going to do for the party? That's the rule, everyone has to do something special.”
Everyone looked at Mansir, waiting for the answer. He ruffled Ozamae’s hair. “I think I have just the thing. I'll be right back.”
Joelette glanced at Mansir when he returned with a piece of plastic over his head and boxes in hand. A timid smile lit his face. She had so missed his smile. Without thinking she felt her lips turn up into a smile. She quickly turned her attention to the boys.
No one escaped the contagious excitement of the boys as everyone prepared for the party. The thunder boomed and the lighting danced as the gaiety began in the secure walls of the house.
The sound of the downpour on the tin roof and the smell of fresh rain offered a backdrop for the wonderful smell of MaeMae's fudge. When it was cooked, they ate it out of bowls with spoons while it was still warm and soft.
The smooth chocolate candy filled with walnuts melted in Joelette's mouth. She chased the sweetness with a tall glass of cold milk. She looked at her sons' faces. Grins with teeth covered with the dark chocolate lit up their expressions. They needed this party. Joelette glanced over at Mansir.
Mansir looked up and offered another smile. Joelette's heart skipped a beat and she looked away. “MaeMae, you always know just what this family needs. Thank you.”
“Who doesn’t like a party, and it might even make a few of us feel better. Ozamae, is it time for your game?” MaeMae took the scraped clean bowls into the kitchen, then returned to her seat.
Ozamae stood in the center of the living room and started his instructions.
“Okay, this is how you play. I'll start first. I pretend I'm a certain animal, and you each have one question you can ask me about that animal. I can only answer yes or no. The first one to guess the animal gets to be next. Ready?”
Ozamae had always been good at imitating animals. He was a natural. They all missed the first one. No one guessed an opossum. Even though Ozamae did everything but hang by his tail. Joelette laughed so hard, her side hurt. But T-Boy guessed the second one, an owl. The game continued and at last Mansir guessed one and it became his turn.
Mansir laid his long body on the floor and crawled up to T-Boy and raised his head, opened his eyes wide and then showed his teeth. The boys howled. “Did a man grab a small boy and run from you up a hill?” Joelette asked, smiling in spite of herself.
“Yes.” Mansir turned his head to face her and showed his teeth again.
“Did a big strong man catch you on his crab line?” T-Boy asked in between bouts of laughter.
“Yes,” said Mansir. He inched a little closer to Ozamae.
“Are you a gator?” Ozamae squealed.
“Yes. And a very hungry one.” He answered as he grabbed a squirming screaming Ozamae.
It felt good to laugh again. Joelette wiped the tears of laughter away and she looked into MaeMae’s watchful eyes. Her shrewd mother-in-law wore a knowing smile.
T-Boy read his chapter next, his voice clear as he read the passage from his beloved book. “’Yes, m'lady, as you wish’,” said the knight.” Then he looked up at Mansir, admiration shone in his eyes. “M'lady is what you call Mom sometimes. Just like Sir Lancelot.”
Neither Mansir nor Joelette looked at each other or responded to T-Boy’s announcement.
He finished reading the chapter and closed the book. “Whose turn is it? Yours, Mom, or Mansir’s?”
“I would like to go last, if that is alright,” Mansir asked before Joelette could volunteer.
“All right.” She stood and put her fiddle under her chin and poised her bow over the strings. “Any requests? But no sad slow song please, and let’s keep away from waltzes.”
“I know. Play that swamp monster song. And let MaeMae tell the story. Please,” Ozamae begged.
“That story keeps you up at night, Cher.” MaeMae pulled Ozamae into her lap.
“Not anymore. I promise. I'm bigger now. I love that story. Please? Please?”
“Okay, but don't you come crawling into bed with me tonight,” Joelette said, winking at her youngest son.
Joelette began to play the eerie melody.
“Loup Garou is a legendary character of the swamp, half-man and half-wolf,” MaeMae started the story of the swamp monster. “Those that see him say he is a sight to behold, with large white teeth and a wolf tail, don’t you know. He loves the beautiful Charlene with all his heart, and wants to make her, his. When she tells him she loves him not, but is in love with Gaston, the fisherman, things go bad, real bad.
“Loup Garou promises that Charlene will never belong to another, but only to him. Charlene and Gaston plan an escape, and they take the fisherman's boat and cross the bayou to the river over to the ocean and disappear forever. Loup Garou is heartsick and goes mad and runs away into the swamp.” MaeMae paused and looked around at her audience. “Some say,” she said in a quieter voice. “You can hear his chilling laughter and sad sobs and moans for his lost love as he roams the swamp in the dark of the night.” Her voice grew louder. “Listen. Can you hear him?”
Joelette's bow seemed to make the fiddle cry, then moan and howl for Loup Garou’s Charlene. A loud gust of wind caught the tin roof and made a loud popping noise, making everyone jump. Ozamae shrieked.
“Mansir, I think you might as well plan to sleep in your room tonight this is no weather to be on the road,” MaeMae said.
Mansir let out the breath and put his hand to his chest. “That is not a good bed time story for anyone. Ozamae, you can get in bed with me if you can't sleep. That's if I don't crawl into your bed first.”
The boys laughed, and T-Boy looked Mansir over. “I don't think you will come close to fitting in Ozamae's bed.”
“You’d be surprised how small I can fold up.” He stood and cupped T-Boy’s face in his hand. “That’s a hard act to follow, but I think it’s my turn.” Mansir retrieved the box he had brought in earlier. “I wanted to tell all of you how thankful I am that you saved my life and how much, you all mean to me.” He took an object out of the box wrapped in a newspaper and tied with twine and handed it to Ozamae.
“I made each of you a little something. Let's start with the youngest.”
Ozamae’s face lit up. “Oh boy, presents. This is the best ’just because’ party ever.” Tearing the paper away revealed a well-crafted wooden box with a lid that slid away from the top. He slid back the lid and discovered the box held a dozen hand carved animals. Each meticulously detailed. “Wow, Mom look, it's One Eye Blanc.” Ozamae held up a small crane with a fish hanging out of his beak.
“These are all so beautiful.” Joelette inspected each animal one at a time. She looked up at Mansir unable to hide her surprise. “You do beautiful work.”
“You like them?” Mansir asked, relieved that his gift was appreciated.
“They are t
he best,” Ozamae said as he flung his skinny little arms around Mansir's neck.”
“Your turn, T-Boy.” Mansir handed him a gift about the same size.
T-Boy un-wrapped his package a little slower, another box appeared, but when he slid the top off it revealed a hand-carved chess set. One set of chess pieces were carved in a dark colored wood the other in a light colored wood.
“If you turn the box over, the bottom is the chess board.” Mansir said.
T-Boy ran his fingers over the chess top tracing each block of inlaid wood. “I don't know how to play,” he said so softly that he could barely be heard.
“I'll start teaching you tonight, if you like,” Mansir said.
He walked over to Mansir and gave him a timid hug. “Thank you, Mansir. This is great.” He stumbled back, and blushed. T-Boy showed MaeMae one of the knights and pointed out the knight's shield and sword. “This is super.”
“I'm glad you both like your gifts. They helped keep my hands and mind busy over the last few months. Next, I think this one is yours.” Mansir handed Joelette a larger package.
“I would like to wait until last, if you don't mind.”
“Good, I'm dying to see what I have.” MaeMae held up her hands for her present. “Although you’ve already given me the best present, my rocker.”
“That gift came from T-Boy as much as it came from me,” Mansir said.
MaeMae's gift was also in a box. “I see you know how to make boxes,” she said with a laugh.
“When you find something that works why not keep improving. Open please.” Mansir sat on the edge of his seat. Clearly, he enjoyed this as much as anyone.
Inside were seven compartments, two of which held her decks of cards. The other five Mansir informed her were for the money beans. “This is perfect I can keep my Bourré things all together. This is such a thoughtful gift. Thank you, my friend.” MaeMae's eyes filled with tears.
“Your turn, Joelette.” MaeMae managed to say as Mansir handed her the largest present of the four.
She took painstaking time and uncovered her present to the cheers of the boys to hurry. “I bet it's a box,” she teased.
The paper fell away from a beautiful polished box with a carved top. Instead of a sliding top hers opened from the middle separating the lid into two parts. Inside the wooden box lay a note, the note read 'pull the small knob on the bottom of the box and have fun storing your treasures.' When she pulled the small ceramic knob, a thin layer of wood came with it revealing a hidden compartment.
“How did you know?” Joelette, still holding the lid to the compartment looked at Mansir. She was puzzled by the knowledge that he knew of her hiding place.
“The boys told me when I questioned them about what I should include in a perfect sewing box for you. Do you like it?”
“Yes, I do. It's beautiful. I love it.” She replaced the lid of the compartment and closed the top of the sewing box. As she looked closer, she saw two large oak trees with hanging moss carved into the top. They framed a small house with a trail leading to a body of water. Among the beautiful tree carvings were letters flowing amidst the moss. M'lady.
Mansir saw her turn her face so no one could see the tears brimming in her eyes. She twisted in her chair and turned her attention to the mess that lay at the bottom of her feet.
“This has been a great day, but I do think we need to clean up this mess. Boys, thank Mansir for his very generous gifts then take them to your room and get ready for bed.”
“Ahh mama, can't we play with them a little while? Please?” Ozamae pleaded.
“All right but just a little while. Take them to your room and play with them.”
Each boy came over and hugged Mansir and muttered thanks for their newfound treasures. “Goodnight boys, and T-Boy we'll have that first chess lesson tomorrow when you return from school,” Mansir said.
###
Mansir called Possum to let him know that with the hard rain still coming down he was staying the night. Once again he found himself in a bed under the same roof as Joelette.
Later that night, after all were tucked in bed Mansir heard a soft knock on his bedroom door.
“I'm sorry to bother you.” Joelette stepped into the room.
“No not at all. I am sitting here with the back door open, watching the rain. I don't think I've ever seen such rain as in Louisiana. The sky seems to open up and out it pours.” He pulled out the chair he'd propped his feet on for her to sit as he settled on the edge of the bed.
“I wanted to tell you something and also say I was wrong.”
“Joelette, there's no need--”
“Wait,” she said cutting him short. “Let me finish while I still have the nerve.” She wrung her hands and took a deep breath. “No one ever made anything for me, something all mine. No one. And I just wanted to say how touched I am that you took such time and hard work to make me something so very beautiful. I will always cherish my sewing box, Mansir, thank you.”
“It wasn't wasted time or work. I enjoyed every minute.” He started to say more, but Joelette held up her hand.
“Please.” She rolled the hem of her shirt between her fingers. “You were so careful that everyone would always have a part of you.” Joelette took a breath and let out a sigh. “I know these gifts were supposed to be goodbye gifts, but I'm glad you gave them now so you get to see how much enjoyment you've brought to all of us.”
She took another breath and looked at Mansir for the first time since she had entered the room. Tears rolled down her cheek. “Now for the hard part,” she said with a bittersweet smile.
He started to stand, but she stilled him once again.
“I'm sorry I acted like I did when you showed me your wedding ring. I had no right to be angry with you for something you don't even remember. I know you can't help who you were before you came to us. I just wanted to tell you I'm sorry.”
“Joelette, don't apologize for your feelings. Every part of this is a big mess. Don't be sad.” He edged to the end of the bed. “I'm sorry I've brought grief to you and your family. I do care about you, all of you. Please don't cry.”
If he pulled her into his arms, it would seem the most natural thing to do, but he knew she would not approve. And he had promised.
A long silence bridged between them. “I have to go. Morning will come soon and T-Boy will need a good breakfast for school tomorrow in this rain.” Joelette got up to go.
“If you agree, I would like to drive T-Boy to the bus stop tomorrow morning and wait until the bus comes. Then drive over to Possum’s. I know he won't be shrimping tomorrow in this weather and I won't be working in the field, do you mind?”
“That's kind of you, but don't try to take the truck on the highway. If you need to go to town or something let Possum drive you.” She nodded once. “Thank you again, Mansir.”
Mansir sat on his bed, watching the rain. Joelette was right. The gifts were meant to be a farewell gift for everyone, gifts for people who took him in and made him a part of their family. But now things were different. They all were special to him and he didn't want to leave them. Ever.
Something more had to be done. He needed to take more action. The local sheriff's department must have limited capability. They had turned up no matching missing reports in months. Someone must be looking for him.
His memory was returning, but at this rate he would be an old man before it all returned, if his full memory would ever return. Tomorrow he would ask Possum to drive him to Lafayette to get the ball rolling. And if that didn’t give him answers he would find a way to New Orleans.
Fingering the ring he pulled out of his pocket, he knew that his life might change tomorrow for better or for worse.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The rain continued the next morning as Mansir and T-Boy drove to the bus stop.
“What did you make on your essay?” Mansir asked.
“I don’t know yet, but the teacher said who ever wrote the best one would win their
choice of five books from her book shelf. But I don’t think I’ll win, because I got something great last night, my chess set. I don't think a person gets too many great things.”
“You know, T-Boy, some people deserve a lot of greats and I think you are one of them.”
The bus honked and they quickly said their goodbyes. He watched as the taillights of the bus blurred by the rain disappeared down the road, then drove to Possum’s.
Mansir was met with the smell of Possum's coffee before he even stepped onto the boat. “Hey, man, I have a favor to ask. Can you take me to Lafayette today?”
“The answer is yes. You know you don’t have to ask, friends just know.” Possum answered, he picked up his hat off his bed and placed it on his head a little crooked. “What you waiting for, let’s go.”
Mansir downed a cup of coffee and they were on their way to Lafayette.
“I think you’ll have better luck there.”
“Yes, probably should have made this trip a while back. I don't know. Maybe I was hiding from the truth, but now I need to know more than ever. Thanks for driving I don't think Joelette wanted me to drive on the highway. She thought it would be too dangerous.”
“You don't know what dangerous is until I drive,” Possum said.
Possum drove slowly through standing water on the bridge. Mansir realized they were both straining to see out the windshield through the pouring rain.
“Any chance of flooding on this road?” Mansir asked.
“Never say never, but it don’t usually get that high. Some of the lowlands will flood today but the high water will come from backwater.” Possum swerved to miss some debris in the road. “What the hell?”
Possum slowed the truck.
“My God, it's a school bus!” Mansir yelled. The bright yellow vehicle lay with the front of the bus on top of the rail of the bridge, the back on the pavement. A little more and it would be teetering like a giant seesaw.
Possum pulled to a stop behind the bus. Mansir jumped out and ran to the back of the bus, before Possum set the brakes.
The accident must have just happened. Mansir clawed at the door with his bare fingers. The back door of the bus appeared jammed.