| Subject: Second Generation - Parats #37-40 |
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Wanda
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Date Posted: 03:28:35 08/21/03 Thu
PART #37
When Boudreau made the announcement of Lucia accepting his marriage proposal, Catherine and Lenore clapped their hands. Bow walked over to the couple and gave each a hug. He told Lucia, “Welcome to the La Faye family.” She laughed; and said, “Just a moment, this is just the announced engagement. You’ll have to wait awhile to make that official.” Catherine said, “Well, this is certainly a good cause to celebrate.” Lenore said, “It is cause to celebrate, but I wonder if we could postpone that until later. I am exhausted.” Lucia looked at her mother; and said, “I think that is a wise idea Mother. I am tired as well.”
Catherine led Lenore to one of the spare bedrooms; and both she and Lucia prepared for bed. They knew they must be up early for they were to leave by nine o’clock. Lenore said, “Lucia, this has been a bittersweet day. I am so glad the day came to a close with something sweet happening.” Lucia gave her mother a hug, and said, “Everything is going to be all right Mother.” Lenore’s eyes filled with tears, “Oh Lucia, I wonder if this will ever be over for us. I have been thinking of the news getting out that your father is alive. There are people who will do what they can to see that he is killed. I don’t want to have to live with the thought of his death being my fault.”
Lucia knew her mother was hurting because of all that had happened. She said, “Mother, listen to me, Daddy chose this life a long time ago. He left the life once, but again chose to go back to it. He has known the risks involved; don’t ever think any of this has been your fault. Whatever happens has been because of the choices Daddy made.”
Hollingsworth drove over to Alfonso’s apartment. He was fuming as he drove, and was ready to give him a piece of his mind. He figured Alfonso decided he was not going out, and went to bed. Well, he would find out what happened when he disobeyed Hollingsworth Deverall. When he reached the apartment he saw that Alfonso’s car was gone. So, he had gone out after all. He must still be at Anthony’s Bar and Grill. Hollingsworth drove to Anthony’s and found Alfonso’s car in the parking lot. Anthony’s was closed, and there were no other vehicles around the building. Something was not right. Where was Alfonso? He saw cars approaching, and realized the cars were police cars. Something had definitely gone wrong. He took off, and saw that the cars were coming towards him. He decided if they wanted a chase he would give them their heart’s desire.
Hollingsworth was an old hand at dodging policemen. It brought back memories of his mob days back in Pennsylvania. He laughed loudly, “No policeman has ever been able to catch me, and you’re not about to be the first.” He increased his speed, and was soon out on the highway. He could hear the sirens in the background; but he was convinced he could outwit and outrun them. He said to himself, “There is no way these policemen are going to put me in lockdown. My life would be over if I had to go to prison. There are too many of the men from the old days there who would know me. Hollingsworth again increased his speed. Looking over his shoulder to see how close the police cars had gotten to him, he missed seeing a large lumber truck pulling onto the highway. He crashed into the side of the truck, and his car burst into flames.
There was a loud knocking on Bow’s front door. Catherine sat up in bed, and said, “Bow, someone is knocking at our front door.” Bow got up, and grabbed a robe from the chair. “Bow, be careful we don’t know who is out there, and it is very late,” she said. Bow stepped over to the window, and saw flashing lights. “Honey, it’s the police,” he said. Catherine got out of bed, and walked over to the window. She said, “This cannot be good. I wonder what has happened now.”
Bow left the room, and went downstairs to open the front door. A policeman said, “Mr. La Faye, we were sent out here by the Police Chief to give some information to Mrs. Deverall. We understand she is staying here for the night.” Bow asked, “Do you want me to get her?” The policeman said, “Perhaps you should tell her. It might be easier for her if you told her that her husband was killed in a car crash tonight. He was trying to outrun the police, and crashed into a lumber truck. The driver of that truck was also killed.”
Bow told him he would give the information to Mrs. Deverall. He said, “Tell the Chief of Police that it will not be necessary for Mrs. Deverall to meet with the people who were going to give her safe passage out of here in the morning. I imagine she will be returning to her own home.” The police officer assured him he would pass on the information. He returned to his car, and drove away.
Catherine had come to the foot of the stairs, and heard the conversation. She said, “Oh dear I hate to have to give that information to Lenore.
Lenore had come out of her room when she heard the voices; and she said, “Catherine, you won’t have to give me the information. I heard what the police officer said.”
Catherine walked up the stairs to where Lenore was standing; and said, “Lenore, I am so sorry you had to hear that.” Lenore said, “Catherine, I think this is the way Hollingsworth would have wanted his life to end. He would not have lasted long in prison; and I would have always felt guilty for him being there. I didn’t do anything to cause this tonight. He chose it for himself.”
To be continued...
PART #38
Lenore said to Catherine, “I hate knowing that Hollingsworth wasted his life; when it could have been used for something productive. I also feel terrible about the man who was driving the lumber truck, and lost his life. He didn’t deserve that.”
Catherine asked, “Are you going to tell Lucia tonight?” Lenore said, “I want to wait until she awakens in the morning. She is sleeping, and it won’t hurt to wait a few more hours. If you don’t mind, I would like to make some coffee, and think about funeral arrangements.” Catherine said, “Let me make the coffee, and we’ll sit down at the table for a while.”
Bow said, “Catherine, I think I will go back to bed. If you need me, just call me.” Catherine motioned for him to go; and he started for the stairs. When he reached the top of the stairs he saw Boudreau. He motioned for him to come into their bedroom; and he closed the door. Boudreau whispered, “Has something happened Dad?” Bow said, “Boudreau, Lucia’s dad was killed in a car accident about an hour ago. He ran into a lumber truck that was pulling out on the highway. I guess he was trying to outrun the policemen, and wasn’t paying close enough attention to the road ahead of him. The man in the lumber truck was killed as well.”
Boudreau asked, “Does Lucia know yet?” Bow said, “Lenore said she was still asleep, and she thought she would not wake her to tell her. It will be morning soon, and she will have to tell her at that time. Perhaps you will want to be there when she is told. This is very difficult for Lenore, and it will be especially hard for Lucia.” Boudreau said, “Of course I want to be there when she is told. She will need my support.”
Bow said, “Why don’t you go back to bed for awhile? You will probably be busy helping with details that need to be worked out during the next several days. It will be a difficult time for Lenore and Lucia, and they are going to need your help.” Boudreau left his parents’ bedroom; and went back to his own room, and softly closed the door.
Catherine made a pot of coffee, and reached for the cookie jar. She set two cups on the table, and than sat down with Lenore. She put her hand on Lenore’s hand; and said, “I am so sorry all this had to happen.” Lenore said, “I have known for a long time there could not be a good end to Hollingsworth’s life. I can only hope that his real name does not get broadcasted around.” Catherine said, “Lenore, Bow knows the District Attorney and the Chief of Police pretty well. I imagine he will talk with both of them about that. Hopefully, no one will have to know this was anyone other then Hollingsworth Deverall.”
The next morning when Lucia awakened, she found her mother and Catherine in the kitchen. Lucia had slept later than she had intended; and she found that Bow and Boudreau were already up, and dressed. She apologized for oversleeping; and her mother said, “You needed your rest.” Lucia said, “But, Mother, we were to leave at 9:00. It is well past that time now.” Lenore looked at Lucia; and said, “Sweetheart, it is not going to be necessary for us to leave.” Lucia looked shocked when she heard her mother say those words. Boudreau stood; and said, “Honey, why don’t you come over here, and sit down.” Lucia knew from the looks on their faces something was terribly wrong. “What’s happened?” she asked.
Lenore tried to speak, but tears were flowing; and she was unable to talk. Boudreau saw how difficult it was for her; and he said, “Lucia, there was an accident early this morning. Your father ran into a large lumber truck that was pulling onto the highway. He obviously did not see the truck.” Lucia’s eyes widened, “Was Daddy hurt badly?” Boudreau answered, “Yes, Sweetheart, he was hurt very badly.” “Will he be all right?” she asked. Boudreau took her hand; and said, “No he will not be all right, he was killed in the accident.”
Lucia was stunned; she couldn’t believe what Boudreau had told her. This had to be wrong. She looked over at Lenore, who was sobbing softly, and realization set in that her father was now gone. She began to rock back and forth in her chair, and wail loudly. Boudreau took her in his arms, and let her cry until her tears were spent. Finally, she pulled away from his arms, and looked at her mother. She stood up, walked over to her mother, and held her. She said, “Mother, I am so sorry you had to experience all this. We must hang on to each other, and I know we will get through this.” Her mother said, “I know we will Lucia.” She looked around the table and said, “With wonderful friend such as Bow, Catherine, and Boudreau, we will make it.”
PART #39
Two days later funeral services were conducted, and the remains of Hollingsworth Deverall were placed in the Lake Charles mausoleum. Bow had talked with the District Attorney and the Chief of Police about keeping Hollingsworth’s real identity a secret to protect his wife and daughter. They decided it served no good purpose to reveal his true identity, so the papers read of a tragic accident taking the life of a prominent businessman of Lake Charles. The news of Hollingsworth Deverall being a former mobster from Pennsylvania never came out to the people of Lake Charles.
Following the funeral, Lenore and Lucia returned to their home. Lenore took off her hat with the black veil, placed it in a hat box, and returned the box to the top of her closet. Lucia watched her mother carefully remove the black dress she had worn to the funeral, fold it up, and placed it on the bed. She sat on the bed, and removed her stockings, folded them neatly, and placed them on top of the dress. The shoes were placed on the pile as well. Lucia watched the process, and wondered what was going through her mother’s mind. She walked to the closet, pulled down a box, and placed all the items in the box, and labeled the box “Good Will.” Lucia watched her mother as she stood in the room pondering what to do. She walked back to the closet, lifted the hat box down, took out the hat and placed it with the other items in the “Good Will” box. She turned to look at Lucia; and said, “I never want to see those clothes again.”
Lucia knew her mother was grieving in her own way for the time she had lost in being married to a man that had lived a life of crime. Lenore said, “Lucia, I do hope you won’t think this is terrible of me, but I have to clean out this house. I cannot rest until everything that belonged to Hollingsworth is gone. If there are things you want, and you will keep them boxed until you and Boudreau are married, then I do want you to feel free to take those things. Would you please go to the garage, and start bringing in boxes for me? I will go to your father’s room, and begin removing his clothes from the closets.
Lucia saw the look of determination upon her mother’s face. She went to get the boxes, and came back to find her mother was frantically pulling suits from her father’s closet. Lucia put the boxes on the floor, and walked to her mother and put her arms around her. She turned her mother around to face her and said, “Mother, do you really think you need to do this right now?” Lenore started to cry; and said, “Lucia, I am so angry. I don’t want to be so angry, but I can’t seem to help myself. Somehow I feel if I can get these things out of here, I will feel better.”
Lucia said, “If this is what you really want, I will help you remove Daddy’s things.” Both women began folding suits, and placing them in boxes to go to Good Will. They worked most of the afternoon cleaning out the bedroom. When they had finished, Lenore said, “Now, I want to go to the study.”
Lucia grabbed up some empty boxes; and they walked downstairs to Hollingsworth’s study. Lenore entered the study first, looked around, and said, “Lucia, there may be some things here you will wish to keep. Why don’t you look through your father’s things, and I will go see about preparing some lunch.” Lenore left the room, and went to the kitchen. She pulled out a ham, and sliced some pieces for a sandwich, then made up a pitcher of lemonade. She found some bread pudding the cook had made up yesterday, so she dished up two bowls for them. After placing everything on the table, she called Lucia to come and eat.
Lucia came into the kitchen with a box in her hands. Lenore looked at the box, and asked, “Lucia, what is that?” Lucia opened the box, and found Hollingsworth’s will and a letter addressed to “My Son.” She handed the letter to Lenore; and asked, “Mother, what is this?” Lenore had a shocked expression on her face; and she said, “Lucia, I don’t have the slightest idea what this means.” “Isn’t this Daddy’s handwriting?” asked Lucia. “Yes, it is his writing,” said Lenore. “Should we open the letter?” asked Lucia. Lenore looked at Lucia; and said, “Of course we are going to open the letter. How else will we know what is in it?”
Lucia put her hand on her mother’s arm; and said, “Mother, I don’t think I want to know what is in that letter.” Lenore responded, “Sweetie, I think we must open it. If you prefer not to see the letter, don’t feel you have to stay here as I read it.” Lucia said, “No, Mother, I will be with you when you read it.”
Lenore opened the letter, and began to read, “To my son, Delbert Cummings, born January 5, 1914, son of Ruth Cummings and Sammie Pangallo.” My dear Son, You have never met me for your mother felt it would be best for you. There has not been a day since you were born that I didn’t think of you. Your mother was right to keep me from you to give you a chance to grow up in safety. If your true identity had been known, your life and your mother’s life would have been in danger.
For you to receive this letter means that my death has occurred. I do want you to know that I have set aside a trust for you, and my lawyer will see that you do receive it. Also, I have given instructions that you are to have a position at the bank I own in Lake Charles. I have checked with your mother periodically; and know that you have grown into a fine young man with a good education. You have your mother to thank for that.
Your loving father,
Part #40
Lenore was shaking when she finished reading the letter that had been addressed to Hollingsworth’s son. Lucia asked, “Mother, did you know about this son?” Lenore answered, “Lucia, I knew nothing about the son. I did know Ruth Cummings though.” “Who was she?” asked Lucia. “She was our housekeeper when we lived in Pennsylvania.” Lenore said, “I will give this letter to Hollingsworth’s lawyer, and ask him to see that Ruth’s son does receive it.”
Lucia said, “Mother, I can’t believe Daddy would do this to you.” Lenore answered, “Lucia, you never really knew your father the way I knew him.” Lucia remarked, “Well I am learning, and I don’t like what I am learning.” She handed the box that contained the will to Lenore; she lifted it out, and began to read it. She said, “Except for the trust that is left to Delbert, everything has been left to you Lucia, and it stipulates I am to receive only this house in which I live.” Lucia with anger in her voice said, “How did he expect you would be able to live in this house with no income?” “It was another way your father could get back at me because he knew how badly I hated his life in crime,” said Lenore.
Lucia said, “Please don’t worry about this Mother; I will see you have no financial problems. Everything might be in my name, but that means I can do with it what I wish. I wish to turn it over to you. That is my right, and it is what is right for you.” Lenore said, “Lucia, it is not that important that I have this huge palatial type of home. Why do I need all this space for one person? This home was your father’s showplace. He loved to bring people here to show off his wealth and position. I would be perfectly happy with an apartment or small house. To tell you the truth, I would prefer doing my own work, and not having any servants.”
Lucia said, “Let’s not get in any hurry. If that is really what you want after a few months, we will put the house on the market, and go from there to do what you wish to do.” The doorbell rang, and soon the butler appeared to tell Lucia that Mr. Boudreau was in the parlor. Lucia went to the parlor to greet Boudreau, and asked him to come to the kitchen for a bite of lunch. They walked into the room holding hands, and found Lenore dabbing at her eyes. When she saw Boudreau, she brightened up, and asked him to sit down.
He told Lucia he was stopping by to see how they were doing. Lucia told him they had cleaned out all of Hollingsworth’s closets; and the things were packed, and ready to take to Good Will. Lenore saw how intent the two of them were talking to each other; so she said, “Lucia, I am going to go back to the work in Hollingsworth’s study. You two take your time, and enjoy each other.”
After Lenore left the kitchen, Lucia reached for the letter that had been addressed to Hollingsworth’s son. She whispered, “We found this today. Read it, but be quiet as you read it. It has been quite a shock to Mother.” Boudreau read the letter, then quietly folded it, and handed it back to Lucia. He shook his head; and said, “What a shock this must have been to both your mother and you. Do you think you will be seeing Delbert Cummings in the near future?” Lucia said, “I really don’t know, but I have a feeling in the pit of my stomach that, not only are we going to see him, but we are going to become acquainted with this young man.”
Boudreau said, “I came to tell you that tomorrow I will start working for my Uncle George and Jean Baptiste in the silver business. I have been drawing some designs on paper which I would like to use for some bowls made from silver. Have you ever seen the bowl my mother has at the plantation? Lucia answered, “No, I don’t believe I have seen it.” Boudreau said, “I want to learn how to make bowls crafted with finely designed etching similar to the bowl that is at the plantation. Jean Baptiste told me it might be necessary for me to go to England, and learn from the master craftsman at the Sheffield Silversmith Company. I was thinking if I happen to go to England to train under the master craftsman, what would you think of going to England for our honeymoon?” Lucia looked at Boudreau; and her reply was, “Boudreau, I have always wanted to see England. I would love to go. But, I do need to be here for Mother for awhile, and help to get Daddy’s estate settled. Of course we need to set the date for the wedding and make the plans.” Boudreau assured her he was ready whenever she could be ready. She promised to think about a date for the wedding, and they walked into the study to help Lenore remove more of Hollingsworth’s things.
Delbert Cummings walked into the 1st. National Bank of Pittsburgh, and was called to the Vice President’s office. As he walked into the office, he saw a well dressed man talking to the Vice President. The Vice President stood; and said, “Delbert, this is Leonard Robichard from Lake Charles, La. He is a lawyer, and he wants to talk to you. You may talk here in my office, and I will be back in an hour. I need to talk to Harris Whitman about their new business account.
To be continued....
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