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Date Posted: 14:14:09 08/22/03 Fri
Author: Wanda
Author Host/IP: 216.51.254.249
Subject: Second Generation - Parts #71-73 (The Conclusion)

PART #71

Boudreau drove for a period of time not even realizing where he was driving. Thoughts were racing through his mind about who he really was. Why hadn’t his parents told him earlier about his father? Was Joshua Sallier such a terrible man? How long was his mother married to him? It could not have been long if she had married Bow before he was born. He tried to remember what he had heard about Joshua Sallier. There was so little he could remember. He did know that the Le Bleu plantation had been in the Sallier family for years, and then it belonged to Bow and Catherine. How had they obtained the plantation? Was it because of his mother’s marriage to Joshua Sallier? What had really happened that was so bad they kept the information from him for thirty-six years?

Boudreau finally realized he had pulled into the Deverall driveway. He sat in the car, and slammed his fist into the steering wheel. What was wrong with the parents in Lake Charles? He thought of Delbert not being told about his father until his father was deceased. He thought of all the questions, of which, Delbert must have wanted answers in regard to his heritage. Never had he dreamed that he would have similar questions.

The lights on the front of the Deverall house revealed that Boudreau’s car was out front. Lenore saw the car from her upstairs window, and she called out to Lucia, “Lucia, Boudreau’s car is out front, but he is not getting out of the car. I wonder if something is wrong.” Lucia said, “I’ll go outside and see Mother.” Lucia went to the front door, opened the door, and saw Boudreau’s head against the steering wheel. She screamed in fear thinking something terrible had happened to Boudreau. Racing to the car, she began pounding on the window of the driver’s side and screaming, “Boudreau, Boudreau, are you all right?”

Boudreau was startled at the pounding on the window. He opened the door; and Lucia asked, “Are you all right? You frightened me.” Boudreau got out of the car, and said, “Lucia, I am not sure I will be all right for a long time.” “What happened?” she asked. Boudreau said, “Lucia, I just found out this evening that Bow is not my biological father. It seems I am the son of Joshua Sallier. He was the former owner of the Le Bleu plantation. It appears that my mother had another husband before Bowregard La Faye.”

Lucia asked, “How did you find out about this?” Boudreau said, “I was told this evening by a complete stranger named Abu Manobo. He brought a Civil War sword to our home to give to me. The sword had belonged to my biological father.” Lucia asked, “How would Abu, whatever his name is, have known that Joshua Sallier was your father? Boudreau said, “My parents claim that Manobo, Abu’s father, was the only other person who knew the truth about my parentage. He served my dad ( Bowregard) for many years. Manobo served Joshua Sallier prior to serving Bowregard. Joshua had given the sword to Manobo as a gift. He had kept it all these years, and then passed the sword to his son to bring to me as a keepsake of something that had belonged to my father.”

Lucia took Boudreau into her arms and said, “I don’t understand the decisions our parents have made. My father was in organized crime, and I didn’t realize until shortly before his death. Look at the situation with my half brother. He didn’t know about his own father until our father had died. Whatever happened to being truthful with your children? Boudreau, I can tell you one thing we are never going to do, and that is to lie to our children.” Boudreau said, “You have that right. I will never subject our children to what we have been subjected to in our life. I can’t help but wonder what else they have kept from me all these years.”

Lucia said, “Boudreau, one thing you can know for sure. Your parents loved you very much. Have you ever felt you were treated differently from your brother and sisters?” Boudreau said, “No, I was treated equally; I would never have guessed we were not full brothers and sisters. I was teased about looking more like my mother’s side of the family; whereas Horace looked like my father, I mean Bow.” Lucia said, “Boudreau, doesn’t that tell you something about Bow?” Boudreau answered, “It does speak well of Bow as being a fair minded man. To tell you the truth, I feel this is more my mother’s fault. She is the one who should have told me.”

Lucia said, “Boudreau, you need to work this out with your mother. There has to be some reason she has kept this from you all these years. Before you become too angry, you need to know the full story behind all this. Boudreau answered, “It’s too late; I am already too angry.” Lucia said, “Boudreau, I can understand the anger for I was angry too when I found out the truth about my father. I wanted to scream at my mother, and ask her why she had kept this from me. I wanted to tell her it was my right to know. I was humiliated and thought everyone in Lake Charles knew this truth but me. At night I would cry myself to sleep; and then I would become angry all over again. Finally I was able to sit down with Mother and ask her to tell me everything. Boudreau I found out there was a good reason for Mother keeping silent. I discovered that my father would have killed her for telling me. I never told you but he tried to get rid of my mother. He failed because she was so careful in watching for poison, and other types of drugs in her food and drink.”

After much persuasion, Lucia finally convinced Boudreau he must return and talk to his parents. She suggested that he insist the whole story be told to him, and they were to leave nothing out. Lucia said, “Boudreau, I have found it is better to know the truth, and deal with it as hard as it may be. If you don’t know the truth, then there is always doubt and questions in your mind. Mother and I have come a long way since I have been told the whole truth about my father. I have a whole new respect for my mother, and I realize now what she has lived with in order to raise me and be with me. Sometimes you have to give your parents the benefit of the doubt. They are not perfect people, as we are not perfect people.”

Boudreau took Lucia into his arms, kissed her, and said, “I don’t know what I would do without you.” Lucia laughed gently and said, “I don’t expect you to ever have to find out, my love.”

PART #72

After Boudreau left the Deverall home, he decided he would drive to the hotel where Delbert was staying. He walked into the lobby and up to the desk to ask the night manager if he would ring Delbert Cumming’s room. When Delbert answered, Boudreau asked if he could come up to talk with him for a few minutes. Delbert seemed surprised, but he invited Boudreau to come up to his room. After Delbert hung up the phone, he checked his watch and saw that it was 10:45. He was afraid something had happened to cause Boudreau to come to see him at this hour. When he opened the door, he asked, “Boudreau, you surprised me. Is there something wrong?” Boudreau stepped inside the room, and said, “I wanted to come and talk to you about something that happened to me this evening.”

Delbert closed the door and offered Boudreau a chair. He told him he had some stale coffee if he would like a cup, but that was the extent of refreshment he could offer. Boudreau said, “No thanks, I didn’t come for refreshment. I wanted to ask you how you handled being told about your father. I found out tonight that my father does not happen to be Bowregard La Faye. I am still trying to understand why I have never been told about this before tonight. The only way I happened to hear it tonight was through the lips of a stranger.”

Delbert said, “In a way I guess it was somewhat the same with me. A lawyer came to see me at the bank where I worked in Pennsylvania. He told me about my father’s death and gave me a copy of the will.” Boudreau asked, “Weren’t you terribly upset with your mother for not having told you sooner about your father?” Delbert answered, “I was upset until I learned the reason why she had not told me. You see my mother’s life was in danger. If she had told me and the information had gotten out to the public, both of us could have been killed. My mother lived in fear of my father’s associates. My father had warned her if she ever told anyone she had a child by him; she could be hunted down, and we would be killed. She lived with fear she might do something that would cause someone to come and take me away from her; so she tried to comply with my father’s wishes. The secrecy was to protect me for the most part.”

Boudreau asked, “Are you all right with knowing this now?” Delbert answered, “I hold no grudges; if that is what you are asking. My mother regrets terribly the mistake she made getting involved with Hollingsworth (she knew him as Sammie). My mother also feels deep sorrow for having a child out of wedlock, and knowing that Sammie had a wife and daughter. She feels a great burden of guilt. I don’t think I need to add my anger and resentment to the guilt she carries on her back on a daily basis. Boudreau, I guess you could say I have made peace with myself about all this. I can’t say I am excited to find out that my father was into organized crime. I am trying to cope with everything. I look at Lucia; I know it must be difficult for her to know our father was a mobster, but she seems to be handling everything pretty well, doesn’t she?”

Boudreau said, “Delbert, Lucia did not know her father was into organized crime until the police were trying to track him down. It was very difficult for her to accept that her father was a mobster. Her father doted on her, but he treated her mother like a common criminal. Lenore actually feared for her life, and wanted nothing more than to get Lucia away before something terrible happened. They had managed to get away the night that her father was killed in the automobile accident.”

Delbert asked, “Boudreau, did you find out your father was some sort of criminal?” Boudreau responded, “I really don’t know much of anything about my father.” Delbert said, “Don’t you think you need to get the whole story from your parents regarding your father, and learn WHY your mother chose not to tell you?” Boudreau answered, “Another person told me that same thing approximately thirty minutes ago, and her name was Lucia.”

Delbert smiled, “Hmm, all this wisdom must run in the family.” Boudreau said, “Well, I have kept you up long enough; I am going to go home. I think I will sit down with my parents and get to the bottom of this story of my parentage. Thanks, Delbert, for listening, and for the advice.”

Delbert slapped Boudreau on the back and said, “I was glad to talk to you, and it makes me happy to know that Lucia is going to marry someone like you. I really wish the best for both of you.”

Boudreau left and drove out of town toward the Le Bleu plantation. When he drove into the driveway, he saw the lights were still on inside the house. He parked the car, and walked into the house. He could hear talk coming from the kitchen, so he walked in that direction. Bow and Catherine were seated at the table; and it was obvious that Catherine had been crying.

Boudreau pulled up a chair and sat down at the table with them. He looked at them and said, “I want to know all about my biological father; and I want to know why you felt it was necessary to keep this information from me. Please don’t withhold anything from me. I want to know the whole truth.”

PART #73

Shortly after Boudreau left, Lenore came downstairs into the living room where Lucia was seated. She looked at her and asked, “Lucia is something wrong?” Lucia answered, “Boudreau received some news tonight that has been upsetting for him. He came to discuss the news with me.” Lenore asked, “Is everything all right now?” Lucia said, “I am not sure everything is all right now, but I believe it will be worked out soon.”

Lenore picked up the evening paper and asked, “Are you all right my dear?” “Yes Mother, I am fine,” she remarked. Her mother sighed, “Aw, that’s good.” Lucia had decided this was not information she would be sharing with her mother until she knew it was all right with Boudreau. It was his information to share or not to share. She stood up, and said, “Mother, I think I will take a bath and go to bed.” She walked over and kissed her mother on the cheek. Lenore said, “I love you Lucia.” Lucia said, “I love you too Mother.”

After Lucia finished her bath, she put on her robe and walked into her bedroom. She heard the telephone ring; and she picked it up just in case her mother had already gone to her room. When she answered, she heard a voice say, “Lucia, this is Delbert. Could I chat with you for a moment?” Lucia was somewhat startled by the call, but she said, “Of course, what is it Delbert?” He said, “I wanted you to know that Boudreau stopped by to see me after he visited with you this evening.”

Lucia asked, “Did Boudreau have a particular purpose for visiting you?” Delbert answered, “Yes, he wanted to talk to me about finding out about my father and ask me how I had handled the news I received.” Lucia asked, “Do you mind me asking what you told him?” He answered, “That is the purpose of my call Lucia. I told him I was angry until I heard the whole story. I told him he should insist on getting all the information from his parents before he made a judgment call. He told me someone else had told him that earlier, and it was you. I just wanted you to know what I told him.” Lucia thanked Delbert for calling her. He said, “Lucia, I told Boudreau; and I will tell you, “I wish the best for both of you.” “Thank you Delbert,” she answered.

When Lucia hung up the phone, she heard a tap on her door. Her mother asked, “Lucia was that the phone I heard?” Lucia answered, “Yes Mother, it was Delbert who called. I just hung up from talking to him.” Her mother opened the door and asked, “What did he want?” Lucia replied, “He called to tell me he had a visitor this evening; and it was Boudreau. He also told me he wished the best for both of us.” Lenore said, “That was very nice of him to call you.” Lucia said, “Mother, Delbert is a fine young man. Both Boudreau and I like him very much. I believe he is interested in Boudreau’s sister, Juliana. They have been seeing each other socially.”

Lenore said, “I suppose that is the reason that Catherine and Juliana were having lunch with Delbert’s mother at the restaurant.” Lucia replied, “I do believe that was the reason. Boudreau told me that Juliana had asked her mother to go to lunch at the restaurant so she could meet Ruth.” Lenore said, “I hope I didn’t make a scene in the restaurant. It startled me when I saw her there with Juliana and Catherine.” Lucia said, “No Mother you did not make a scene. The waiter was standing at our table and waiting for you to be seated. I thought you were very gracious.”

Lucia asked, “Mother, how do you feel about Ruth being here in Lake Charles?” Lenore thought for a moment and answered, “I won’t say it doesn’t bother me when I see her. You would know I was lying if I said that. But, I do want you to know I don’t hate her. I guess when I look at her she reminds me of the failure of my marriage, but I can’t really blame that on her. My marriage was doomed from the start; it just took me awhile to see it. I was locked in a relationship that had no exit door, and I tried to make the best of it because I loved you so much. I have a feeling you would find a similar thing to be true should you talk to Ruth. Once she became involved with Sammie she, too, was locked in a relationship with no exit door. I have no doubt she loved Delbert as I loved you. There was nothing either of us could do but play the cards until the game was finished.

Lucia asked, “Mother, do you think Ruth will stay in Lake Charles?” Lenore answered, “I am not sure what she will decide, but I wouldn’t be surprised that she would make the move to be closer to Delbert.” Lucia asked, “Would it bother you to have her living here in Lake Charles?” Lenore answered, “I don’t think it would bother me now Lucia; I have been thinking about this whole thing, and I am tired of living in the shadows. I want to have a life like everyone else. It’s time to put aside all the old STUFF, and move on to a new day.

The telephone rang once again, and Lucia answered. Boudreau said, “Sweetheart, I have just talked with my parents. I know the whole story now, and we are going to be all right. I won’t tell you that it doesn’t bother me to not have known all these years. But, I will get over it. I am not a child; and I realize I had two good parents who made a mistake in not telling me the truth. But, Lucia, you were right when you said, ‘None of us is perfect.”

Lucia said, “Guess who called me this evening.” Boudreau said, “I hope it wasn’t an old boyfriend.” Lucia answered, “No, silly, it was no old boyfriend; it was Delbert. He told me you came to visit him. I am glad you went to see him. He said he wishes both of us the best. I am beginning to like him more and more.” Boudreau answered, “I like him too; he has a really good head on his shoulders. Honey, I wonder if you would like to ask Delbert to walk you down the aisle when we are married. Also, I don’t want you to think we have to have a double wedding. If you prefer a wedding of our own that is all right with me.”

Lucia thought about the suggestion Boudreau had made and said, “A double wedding is fine with me. In fact, I think that would be very special. I’ll have to think about your suggestion for asking Delbert to walk me down the aisle. I’ll get back to you on that one.” My mother said something to me tonight that really impressed me. She said, “Lucia, it is time to put aside all the old stuff and move on to a new day.” I think that is important; and I believe we need to do that too. Let’s not live in the past, with all the old mistakes; let’s move on. Soon we will be married, and then there will be the next generation. We can learn from the mistakes that have been made by our parents, and try not to repeat them with our children.” Boudreau laughed, “I can promise you that our children will not have a father in organized crime.” Lucia said, “I can promise you that I will not withhold truth about our children’s parentage from them.” Boudreau said, “Let’s just hope and pray we don’t make worse mistakes with our children. That is a possibility, you know.” Lucia answered, “We can teach our children the importance of forgiveness.” Boudreau chuckled, “I have a feeling that would be a good lesson to teach.

Lucia said, “I love you Boudreau.” Boudreau responded, “I know, and I love you too.”

The End.....

The Saga will continue with the next part called "Third Generation." I will start that following a leave of absence. I do hope you have enjoyed the storyline.. Wanda

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