Monroe, Louisiana
1989
"Little Marie!"
God was at his best this early afternoon. He offered a light breeze that swayed the trees into
the beginning of a slow easy dance. If one were to strain their ears hard enough, they would
swear those trees were answering to the steady beat of Indian drums. But it couldn't be, the
hustle and bustle of the city were much too far away. There were no parades this far out.
"I swear chile-"the little girl could hear her mother yell in an exasperated tone, then continued
"Little girl! When I find you the bottom of my slipper is going to find you second!"
The little girl simply giggled. She was much too interested in trying to find figures in the clouds
while floating peacefully on her back in the lake behind her home then worry about her mama's
threats. Besides, her mama would no sooner beat her then she'd beat herself. "Little Marie"was
the apple of her mother's eye.
"There you are you little brat." Even without looking at her, the little girl could hear the laughter
in her mothers voice. She didn't need to see the small smirk on the side of her mouth to know it
was there. Just like she didn't need to look to know that her mother was wearing her favorite
red dress with the yellow flowers on them and worn out blue slippers on her feet.
"Mama! Why don't you take those old slippers off and join me huh?"the little girl called out.
" And end up looking like a mangy ol' muskrat like you? I don't think so. Besides, we can't leave
your grandmother waiting. Dinner done, and if you hurry and get cleaned up there will be two
slices of vanilla pound cake with your name on them later."
"With ice cream?" The little girl yelled, all the while already making her way to the edge of the
lake.
"Yes, with ice cream." The mother said while chuckling.
"Yes!"
.
.
.
Once they made the small trek uphill hand in hand to the their home, the little girl took notice
of the changed atmosphere. The home that was usually bright and submerged in the familiar
sounds of muddy waters and Howling wolf and the clanging and banging of pots being moved
by her grandmother was now darkened and the only sound was the slamming screen door that
seemed to be fighting with the once gentle breeze. An almost foreboding feeling engulfed her as
she and her mother drew closer.
"Mama-"
"Shh." Her mothers tightened grip on her hand notified her that she was wasn't alone in her
feeling of unease. She took notice of her mothers stiff back and clenched jaw that, although
usually meant she was in trouble and knew, even in her young mind, that something was wrong
with the scene before her.
"I want you to go behind those bushes little Marie" her mother said while turning towards her.
"But mama-" she started but was silenced by her mothers slender fingers against her lips.
"No buts you hear. Now go and do what your told." The mother said tersely then saw her little
one's worried face and knelt down to hug her."I'll just be a little while. Don't you worry, it's
probably nothing. Just pretend we're playing hide and go seek before I come get you, okay?
Just count to ten baby."
But the little girl was worried. She didn't understand why, but she just knew. Something was
very wrong.
1
Her mother left her and was now walking up the path that lead to the screen door.
2
Her mother entered the house, but not before turning to her and sending a reassuring smile.
3
The little girl looked up at the clouds to try to pick up where her game left off.
4
Lion, tree, car, elephant, dinosaur..no mattered how many animals and objects she counted,
she couldn't stop her eyes from focusing on the door her mother walked through.
5
A loud crash came from the kitchen window facing her.
6
That was all she could get to before disobeying her mother, but she still counted, this time out
loud.
"7"the little girl whispered while cautiously stepping over the cracks that seemed daunting on
the path before her.
"8"she continued as she finally reached the doorway, but stopped, too afraid to clear it.
"9-"the number cut off before it can leave her mouth by a screamed.
"Mama?...Mama!?"