New Home
Part 1
By Christine Demerath
"Yes," the boy whispered in excitement. He had been watching the crowd for an hour or so, he'd only had about twenty-some dollars and he picked at lease three people, the man he just spotted had at least a hundred dollars on him. He'd have enough money to give by some new cloths and some food for the others. It didn't seem that the man wasn't to worried about the money or that he wasn't very wise to the street pickpockets. The man had money that was for sure, he was wearing something very unusual; it was a greenish color and looked to be made of expensive cloth and looked as it had some from an old story tell, like Robin Hood. The strangely dressed man had his money in a pouch to his side, which he had just taking some out to pay a waiter with. The man stood up and started to walk down the busy streets of New Orleans.
Quickly the boy followed the man; he was kind of a handsome man and carried himself with great prestige. Slowly the boy approached him; they had reached an intercession. He reached for the pouch, seeing that it was fastened quit tightly he quickly undid the knot. As he slide the pouch from the man's belt, his hand was grabbed his wrist roughly. The boy looked up to see the man looking down at him, as they moved to an alleyway only a few paces away. The boy looked into the man's eyes refusing to show the fear and amazement of being caught in his eyes. Instead he put on a charming smile.
"Why sir, you dropped this." The boy offered the man the money. His quick hand had already taking quit a bit of the money that the man hadn't seen. The man gazed at the boy's hand.
"Do not insult me, boy." There was a hint of amusement on his face, as he looked at the boy.
"Here, sir," he put the pouch in the man's free hand. "Now if ya don't mind, I'll be on my way." He turned as to walk away; the man didn't let go. "Please, misor, my arm."
"May I have the rest of my money?"
The boy's eyes became full of anger and defiance as he glared back at the man.
"Such anger, in such youth."
"Let go of my hand." His anger increased.
"I don't think so." The boy scolded. "Why did you try and steal my money?"
"I needed it, `kay?" The boy's eyes softened a touch as he looked to his feet. The man looked at the child's tattered clothing and skinny body and nodded understandingly.
"What is your name boy?"
"What's it to you?"
"What is your name?" He asked again.
"I don't take kindly to being pushed `round."
"And I don't take kindly to having my money almost stolen, either."
"Oui." A smile cracked on his face, but only for a split second.
"So?"
"You going to tell me yours?" The man lifted his eyebrow. "Da way I see it, ya got nothin` ta lose telling me, I got more then ya know.
"`kay, the name's Jean Luc Lebeau." The boy looked at the man, the name it was familiar.
"Remy."
"Remy, da all?"
"Yeah, got a problem?"
"Non." He paused, "You hungry, Remy?"
"Maybe."
"Well, come then, I'll have Tantie Mattie fix ya up something."
"Non, thanks anyway."
"Maybe, I call de cops and tell'm I got me a run-a-way?" Remy tensed as he tried to hid his fear, but Jean Luc felt his muscles tense, besides that he wouldn't have been able to tell. The boy had a great nac for hiding emotions.
"I'd be glad ta eat at your humble home." He smiled falsely at the cop then peeled his eyes from him and on to the older man. He could only manage a weak smile.
"Tante Mattie, I'm home. Come out of the kitchen and meet our guest." A large black woman walked out of the door on the far side of the room. Her hair was beaded and she wore a large smile. A man followed her out of the kitchen, he was partly bald, but nothing less caught Remy's eye besides the fact that the man was wearing almost all black. "Henir, glad to see you home." He went up the bald man and gave him a hearty hug. The black woman was looking at Remy with sympathy. Remy didn't care.
"Glad to see you as well, father." Remy looked around the room. This place is huge! Look at all this stuff, this guy is rich. Maybe I could take something and pone it, he ain't goin` miss it.
"This is Remy, I've invited him to dinner." Remy hadn't been paying attention, he was to amazed at the things he saw. He'd never seen such things. "Remy?" The man lightly touched his shoulder. Remy's head snapped back to face him, after he had jumped away from him by about a foot.
"Boy, are you okay?" the black women gazed at him.
"Fine, thanks."
"Remy would you like to get washed up I've got a bathroom down the hall and I think I can find something clean for you to ware."
"What da ya want?"
"Nothing."
"Believe it when I see it," he grumbled to himself.
"Father, who is that boy?"
"A very good pickpocket," he chuckled a little. "With a firey little temper."
"Father?"
"Henri."
"What are you planning to do with the boy?"
"I'm not sure myself."
He looked around the bathroom. It was quit large, but there was only a small window. He quickly examined it. It was just a little too small to fit throw. He cursed. Then walked over to the sink and started to wash his face and hands. He was terribly dirty, his hair was a mess. Sighing, he quickly went over to the bathtub, and turned it on. After a minute he jumped in. He let out a shape sound of pain, he had forgotten about how hot the water could get. *Knock* *Knock*
"Oui?"
"Are you okay, chile?"
"Oui."
"Brought you some clothing."
"What he call you?"
"What?"
"Jean Luc what he call ya?"
"Name's Henri."
"Oui, know that. I mean son. You two old to be his son, non?"
"Non." The door closed and Remy listened to the footsteps leading away.
"What I get myself inta?"
The other three were already seated at the table when Remy entered, still a little timid. His hair was still wet, but was now brushed and all the snarls were taken out. He was wearing a pair of jeans a bit too big and a large sweater. But nearer the less he looked good. He stood at the door taken in by the smell of the food, but didn't move till he was invited to sit.
"Come now, chile, I know you're hungry."
"Oui, thank you." He nodded to the women. He didn't like being close to many people. He took the remaining seat acrossed from the women. She poured some type of chunky soup into his bowl.
"Its Tante's world famous gumbo." Jean Luc smiled at Remy warmly. Remy just sat looking at the others waiting for them to eat first. Before they did Jean Luc started in prayer. Remy sat there and listened, while the others bowed their heads. Then picking up their spoons they began to eat. Remy did the same, but too more extreme point. To him the gumbo was heaven, not just the taste but the pure idea of warm homemade food. He began to eat faster, he finished before any of the others had finished half their bowl. Tantie Marie filled it again, he ate it slower this time, but just as eagerly. He looked up to see the others sitting up striate, while he had been eating hunched over. He quickly sat up straightened in his chair and continued to eat. Jean Luc smiled again, at the boy's reaction, he was becoming quite fond of this young boy, of nine or ten years.
After Remy ate about four bowls of soup he got up from the table. "Thanks for the food and clothing. M'dam, the dinner was excellent." He acted a prim and proper as possible with out bursting out laughing. "Here," he handed Jean Luc five dollars. Jean looked at him acawardly, "Sorry it is so little, but I only have a little more."
"I don't need the money, besides you are welcome to stay." Remy looked at him spuriously. "Do not look at me that way, I do not want anything from you."
"Oui?"
"Oui."
"Why?"
"I don't know, maybe I miss having a chile around."
"Ya don't want nothing?" He asked in amazement.
"Non." There was a long silence. "Will you be staying?" Remy stood by the door, for a bit longer, than slowly pulled it away, almost afraid to stay.
"Oui," his voice was low, but carried well.
"Great," he smiled at Remy then to Tantie Mattie, "Tantie, please go set up a room for Remy."
"Gladly."
The study doors were closed and inside were Jean Luc Lebeau and a boy sole known as Remy.
"You know you almost got away with it."
"What?"
"Stealing my pouch."
"Yeah, I'm pretty good." Remy boasted a little. "How ya catch me?"
"I was reaching down to get something for my pocket, and there you were."
"Luck never on my side."
"You're also the only one that has gotten that far."
"What ya a master or something?" He mumbled.
"Actually yes."
"What?" Remy's head shoot up. "You on the consul?" He was shocked.
"How do you know about the consul?"
"Ya hear things." His face became neutral.
"Oui, I'm on the consul, in fact I'm the highest ranking member." The boy was silent for a minute.
"You…. you da guild leader?" He nodded. "But you so young."
"Look who's talking. Actually I'm older then I look."
"Oui, how much older?"
"I'll tell ya tomorrow. Why don't you get to bed. It's late and ah have to get up early."
"Oui, buie." Getting up Remy went to the French Doors. "What room I staying in?"
"It's right up the stairs and to the right. Good night, son." Remy cringed at that.
"Night, M'isor."