Sugar Doll's Hurricane Blues (14 page)

“That’s true. Like us, they is shady.” Bertrand quipped.

“We wait here until we see them arriving. I’ve staked out this spot. They won’t see us but we sure can see them.” Kevin smiled. He pulled out a flask with whiskey in it and took a swig. He handed it over to Bertrand who also took a swig.

Moments later, Tony came out of the side door. He glanced around and waved at someone who was not in their line of vision. A car pulled forward and someone got out of the car. The umbrella hid their identity.

Kevin elbowed Bertrand and the two waited and watched. Tony came out a total of five times. A half hour past with silence between the two men.

“What do we do now?” Bertrand asked.

“We wait.” Kevin answered.

Sugar Doll couldn’t believe the crowd and the harmony which she and Remy experienced together. After the set people started to leave. The storm outside had become undeniably wild and dangerous.

“Ladies and gentlemen, for your own safety we here at Mona’s want to thank you for coming out but it’s time now to pay respect to another lady, Hurricane Katrina. Ya’ll be careful. You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here. Have a good evening and a safe trip out of New Orleans proper. We’ll be here when you come back!” The crowd clapped at this pronouncement and began to gather their things. The staff had already gone home or to storm shelters. The streets were filled with water and rain, which scattered past at a high rate of velocity.

“What are you going to do Remy?” Sugar Doll asked concerned.

“Well I’m gonna walk over to my apartments and pick up some things and then I’m going to head on up to Gonzales by my brother. Do you want to come with me?” Remy asked.

“Yes.” Sugar Doll answered immediately. “Let me go and change.” She kissed him on the cheek and headed for the stairs.

“You aren’t going with that boy. You are coming with us where I can keep an eye on you. Your grandmother wouldn’t like it.” Mona said as she packed her bags.

“Well, I’m a grown woman and I can do what I want to do. I’ll call you when I get there, it’s right outside of your house in Baton Rouge anyway. I don’t want to upset you but I want to go with him.” Sugar Doll said.

Tony approached, “Let her go Mona. He’s a good kid. He cares about her and will take good care of her. Let her go.” He put his hand on her shoulder.

“Oh all right, but you’d better call me as soon as you get to where you are going and remember that even though the circuits are busy you can keep trying until you get through. Go pack up some of my clothes to wear. I’ll see you in a few days.” Mona smiled. She was happy that her daughter was actually responding to her so she didn’t want to ruin the moment by insisting.

“Just like us.” Tony said.

“Oh God I hope not.” Mona said

The trees blew wildly back and forth in the increasing wind and rain. Remy looked up the staircase to see Sugar Doll descending with case in hand. His blue eyes flashed with desire. Warmth spread through Sugar Doll’s body and their eyes met. She reached for his hand and they walked out into the pouring rain. The rain no longer felt cold and intimidating to Sugar Doll. It now felt warm and sensual.

“Let’s go to my apartment to pick up a few things.” Remy said into her ear. The warmth coursed through her body and her fingertips tingled. They ran hand in hand in the rain. As they approached Rue de la Decatur he led her around the corner to a narrow stairwell. Sugar Doll had never been to Remy’s apartment. Her heart picked up its pace. As they walked up the stairway she felt nervous. Remy opened the door, “Welcome to my humble abode.” He winked and held the door open for her to pass through. The apartment was cool and dark. The blinds
were closed on the large windows which overlooked Tchopotulis Street. The air conditioner rumbled in the corner of the room from a third window which faced the street. The décor of the room was blue and green. There was a very masculine sense to it. The furnishings were subtle with modern lines. Sugar Doll looked around appreciatively. Remy had style. She had expected a stale smelling dormitory styled room with eclectic furniture but this had showroom quality.

“We’ve both had a trying day, let’s have a drink.” Remy went to a mahogany cabinet and pulled out a dark bottle of wine. Sugar Doll sat down on the plush forest green couch.

“This is a nice place you have here Remy. I’m impressed.” Sugar Doll nodded. He walked over and handed her a drink. The rain outside became a downpour. Remy smiled easily, he could see that she was nervous.

“Relax Sugar; Gonzales is only a one hour drive from here in drive time tops. We’ll be there in no time.” Remy soothed her.

“It’s not the weather that has me nervous Remy.” She said shyly looking into his eyes. They were an interesting color of blue, turquoise really. “It’s just all of the talk on the news and well…my mother that’s got me nervous.” Sugar Doll put down her drink. She could feel it warming her up in places she was unaccustomed to feeling.

“I understand, trust me, I’ve seen Mona in action, she can be pretty convincing.” Remy smiled.

“Yes, I’m surprised by her warmth today. I’m also curious about why she’s so interested in me all of a sudden. I’ve been singing at Beauchamp’s for months now.” Sugar Doll voiced what she had been thinking.

“I never hear you talk about it, shucks for awhile there I thought Big Ma was your mother.” Remy joked.

“In a real way, she is.” Sugar Doll said thoughtfully.

There was silence between them. Sugar Doll reached for her drink. Remy touched her arm and she returned the drink to the coffee table.

“I’ve been thinking about that night on the pier.” He said his face becoming flushed.

“Me too.” Sugar Doll sighed quickly.

“I wonder if…” Remy did not finish his sentence.

“If what?” Sugar Doll asked afraid of the answer.

“I don’t really know how to say it.” He answered looking away.

“If you made a mistake?” Sugar Doll asked a bit hurt by the thought.

“No, not exactly, but if we made a mistake. I think about you all the time girl.”

“But Bertrand,” he sputtered “And now your mother.” He turned to face her.

“Oh,” Sugar Doll said understanding. “Business.” She said flatly rising suddenly.

Remy stood with her lightly grabbing her arm, “Not business, not business at all.” He repeated softly.

“Then what?” Sugar Doll questioned anger rising up within her. Remy stepped closer to her and engulfed her in a kiss. The rain beat on the roof urgently. His tongue searched her mouth and his lips soft around hers were warm and pulsing. The rain was like music playing to their passion. As Sugar Doll gave into the kiss her body aching she realized that her question had not been answered. She would not give into him as much as she wanted to until she had the answer. She recovered herself and
pulled away slightly not strong enough to break out of Remy’s strong embrace. She felt his desire on her and it almost melted her resolve.

“Then what is it?” She asked him softly, urgently, passion pulsing through her body.

“Monty, I’m glad you could make it.” Tony took the older man’s coat.

“Let’s just have a fair game. I came to play. Who’s the dealer?” Monty asked.

“Maurice.” Tony pointed toward the dealer who nodded in acknowledgement.

“Everybody trust Maurice?” Monty addressed the room of men.

“As long as Maurice deals a good game I have no problems with him.” Big Teddy from Alabama said in his loud drawl.

“It’s a game of chance.” Junior Boy said his youthful face belying his forty four years.

“Well, gentlemen before we begin can I offer you all a drink?” Tony asked.

“Rum and coke for me.” Monty said.

“I’ll have Scotch neat.” Junior Boy replied.

“Milk.” said Silent Eddie.

All of the men stopped and laughed.

“Ulcer.” Silent Eddie confessed.

Tony shrugged, “Get the man a glass of milk.” He nodded to Mona who sat quietly in the corner.

“If you could put a raw egg in it that would be good.” Silent Eddie added.

“Jesus!” Tony grimaced.

As Mona headed for the door. “Get me a drink as well, the usual.”

Mona nodded and walked downstairs toward the bar.

Tony didn’t ask Howard the Jew if he wanted anything to drink. He didn’t trust anybody and brought his own drinks. Tony learned a long time ago not to be offended. Howard had been poisoned years back by a prostitute who fleeced him. He had reason to be edgy. He didn’t talk much but he usually came with the most cash.

The drinks arrived and Mona took her usual spot in the corner. She had packed up both cars and was prepared to leave but she wanted to stay with Tony and leave together. He agreed thinking that the storm was overblown news and that they would probably have to only stay away for one night. This would be the last game of the season and the money would be laundered there at the club. It was time to do business.

“You ready man?” Kevin put his cap on and checked his guns. They stood in the alleyway next to the secret entrance to the game.

“I’m as ready as I’m going to be”. Bertrand said sweating profusely under the hot knit cap.

“Walk quietly.” Kevin admonished him as he jimmied the lock easily. There was no one there in the entrance which was a surprise. Monty usually bought his goons with him but the hurricane had made him careless. They crept up the narrow stairway. It was so quiet that both men turned and looked at each other. Had the location been changed? Kevin gestured that they should keep moving forward. They heard a movement, a ceiling fan?

“Now!” Kevin shouted.

He kicked in the door and Bertrand rushed in after him holding two Colt 45’s.

“Ya’ll put your hands up and no one will get hurt!” He screamed almost hysterically. Silent Eddie and Junior Boy threw down their cards.

“What the hell is this?” Monty asked Tony.

“Put your hands up motherfucker!” Kevin yelled pointing the gun at Monty’s head.

Monty slowly raised his hands up. Howard the Jew reached behind his back for his gun.

“Try it and I’ll blow your fucking head off man! Drop on the floor!” Kevin kicked the chair from beneath Howard and held the gun to his head.

Tony put his hands up almost casually. He was studying the bigger man. There was something familiar about him. There were five briefcases in the corner. Kevin backed slowly toward them. He kicked one down and knelt down to open it. As he opened it he saw that there was stacks of hundred dollar bills. “Jackpot!” He breathed. He closed it and kicked it over to Bertrand. He picked up two cases and handed another to Bertrand. He took the remaining three cases.