| Subject: Second Generation - Part #7 |
Author:
Wanda
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Date Posted: 14:06:02 07/31/03 Thu
PART #7
That night George and Marguerite came for dinner; and approximately one hour later Jean Baptiste arrived. As he walked into the house, he saw Catherine and said, “Mrs. La Faye, I am so sorry for being late. Catherine laughed; and asked, “Jean Baptiste are you ever going to call me anything but Mrs. La Faye? My goodness, your father and I are first cousins.” He put an arm around her shoulder; and said, “If I called you anything else, I would not be a true gentleman of the south. My mother taught me to respect my elders, and that included calling them Mr. or Mrs.”
Catherine turned to Marguerite; and said, “Marguerite, you have trained him well.” Marguerite smiled, “He was a good learner, Catherine.” “Young man I remember taking care of you when you were a baby,” said Catherine. “Your mama worked so hard when you were a baby. She took care of all the accounts for the saw mill operation. She chuckled as she said, “I do remember how well your mama could handle a gun. Did she ever tell you of the time she and I stood at the windows on the top floor and guarded the house?” Jean Baptiste had heard the story many times. He said, “I do believe Mama has told that story a few times.” “Did she tell you how we tricked those criminals who were trying to get inside the house?” asked Catherine. “Yes, Ma’am she surely did tell me about those criminals, and how the two of you turned the tide with those Spencer repeating rifles.” Catherine turned to Marguerite and said, “You know, those were the good old days.” Marguerite said, “Catherine, I think I am glad we are past those good old days.”
Cook announced that dinner was ready to be served, and Bow led them into the dining room. The table was laden with fried chicken, mashed potatoes, a huge bowl of gravy, garden peas, a platter of homemade dinner rolls, and a mixed fruit salad. Jean Baptiste looked around; and asked, “Where is Katerina?” Catherine said, “She is in the kitchen brewing some coffee for her daddy. She should be here momentarily.” At that moment Katerina appeared; and Catherine watched Jean Baptiste as he saw Katerina walk into the room. She saw a look that spoke volumes about his feelings for Katerina. Did no one else see that? She looked at Katerina, and noticed she was blushing. “Ahhh, she knows too,” thought Catherine.
George complimented Catherine on the delicious food; and Catherine said, “George, I am so glad you are enjoying the food, but you know I only plan the menu. Cook is the one to compliment; I know she would appreciate some praise when she brings dessert in for us.”
After the meal the two older women walked out to the front porch; and sat together in the porch swing. Catherine took hold of Marguerite’s hand; and held it as she said, “Marguerite, have I ever told you how much you mean to me?” Marguerite chuckled; and said, “Catherine, I do believe you have told me that a time or two over the years.” “What would I have done without you in this new country?” asked Catherine. Marguerite smiled for Catherine seemed to be filtering through memories of the past this evening. Catherine said, “Have you noticed that Jean Baptiste cares for Katerina?” Marguerite said, “Jean Baptiste cares for all your children, Catherine.” Catherine said, “He has different feelings for Katerina, I can see it in his eyes as he looks at her.”
Marguerite said, “Catherine, Jean Baptiste is somewhat older then Katerina.” Catherine said, “Marguerite, what has age got to do with love?” “How would you feel about that relationship, Catherine, if it develops into love?” asked Marguerite. Catherine said, “I would be thrilled. I cannot think of any man I would rather have marry our Katerina then Jean Baptiste.”
Catherine said, “I can’t believe you did not know about the feelings Jean Baptiste has for Katerina.” Marguerite squeezed Catherine’s hand; and chuckled, “Catherine, I did not say I was unaware of his feelings for Katerina. I have known he cared for her for a long time, but he is fully aware of their age difference. He is concerned you and Bow would not be pleased if he pursued a relationship with Katerina. Of course there is always the chance that Katerina would not be interested in him as a potential husband.”
Catherine asked her dear friend, “Now that both of us know about Jean Baptiste’s feelings for Katerina, what can we do to help this relationship to grow?” Bow and George had come outside to the porch, and Bow happened to overhear what Catherine had said to Marguerite. He said, “The best thing you can do for them is leave them alone, and let them work things out together.” George laughed, “Bow, don’t you know by now, to tell Catherine something like that is like throwing a piece of steak out on the lawn, and telling Roxy to stay away from it?” Bow responded by saying, “George, I should know that by now, but I thought it best to say it anyway.”
To be continued...
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