HOME AWAY FROM HOME

This mornin' Ah got up at dawn and changed mah clothes and headed downstairs ta see Remy all ready ta go. Ah didn't even bother ta ask, Ah know he doesn't feel too great 'bout this trip through Louisiana. We took some supplys and a few snacks and headed out. We were gonna drive straight through this time, no stops no matter what. We couldn't afford ta waste any time through Louisiana, if we did we risk Remy bein' spotted. He stayed in the back seat lyin' down with the map givin' meh directions ta where we needed ta go along the way. Most of the trip was pretty quiet. Sometime in the afternoon is when we arrived in New Orleans. Remy said that it wasn't safe until dusk so we just drove 'round a bit 'til then. It was pretty busy, but not as much as it would have been before all the destruction Apocalypse caused. Guess the people 'round here refused ta let go of their homes. It's nice ta see someone fight for somethin' they believe in. As we drove 'round, Remy showed meh the sights, or what was left of them. Before we knew it dusk had come so he told meh how ta get ta his old home. Ah drove up ta the gate and someone came out and stopped meh. Remy warned meh that it was most likely gonna happen and that if nothin' had changed, was probably Emil. As he approached the car, he asked, "Get lost chere?"

"No sugah, Ah'm right where Ah'm suppose ta beh." Ah gave him a small smile as Ah saw his face go pale when he looked behind meh and saw Remy lyin' in the back seat givin' him a smirk and a small wave. He didn't say 'nother word and open the gates for meh. As Ah made it up ta the house, it was huge and very nice for a home in these parts. It looked a lot like the house we just stayed in but possibly older. They looked like they owned a good amount of land too. Ah just sit there parked by the front door waitin' ta find out what Ah should do and Remy is just completely quiet.

"Well sugah, what's next?"

"Chere ya gonna have ta go in there alone. When its dark I will follow. They will take care of ya. Trust me." Ah took a deep breath and opened the car door.

"Alright. Here goes nothin'." A walk over ta the front door and knock. After a few minutes the door opened ta reveal a large black woman dressed in some robes.

"'ello petite. How can I help ya?"

"May Ah come in please?" She hesitated. Then stepped out of the way and opened the door just slightly more and allowed meh in. Once Ah was inside she had meh follow her into a room that looked like it had held many meetin's 'cause it was no dinin' room but all it had was a large table with many chairs. Ah sat down and she left the room. Oh great, what now. Ah waited a few minutes when finally someone came inta the room. It was Remy followed by a whole lotta other men. He sits down next ta meh and explains ta them all that happened ta us. All of them listened intently without sayin' any words or even acknowledgin' what he was sayin'. Then as soon as Remy finished one of them, who Ah'm guessin' is Remy's father, 'cause he's the oldest one in the room, whispers somethin' ta the man seated next ta him who leaves the room for a minute. Then he gives meh a quick introduction startin' with himself who's name is Jean-Luc, and just after they make it 'round the table the man comes back inta the room with the woman who let meh inta the house and she introduces herself as Tante Mattie. They have meh follow her ta get mahself washed up and mah own room but Ah give Remy a quick glance and he just grins and nods that its alright as Ah leave him in the room with whatever he's gonna have ta deal with.

The shower was wonderful. They had loaned meh some clean clothes along with some gloves, at mah own request, and when Ah got ta mah room they had dinner waitin' for meh by the bed. After Ah finished eatin' Ah decided ta look 'round the room. It was nice, very elegant, but definitely somebody elses room, not a guest room. As Ah was lookin' at some of the pictures someone knocked on the door then it opened just a lil, and Remy's head peaked through.

"Chere, ya decent?"

"Like it matters ta ya'll. What'd ya want anyway?"

"Got some good news."

"Really, they're not gonna kill us?"

"Of course not."

"Then what could possibly be so great right now?"

"Ma famille heard 'bout the stuff we went through and they know some people. Maybe find ya friends and votre fille."

"Seriously?"

"Oui, why Remy be wantin' ta lie to you?"

"Remy, how long do we have ta stay here?"

"Few days, week maybe. Mon pere have the information we need by then."

"Whay ya'll still helpin' meh? This is more than just savin' mah life, more than what Ah did for ya'll in the cell."

Then he came over ta meh and sat next ta meh real close on the bed.

"Non chere, ya have no idea what you have done for this Cajun." Then he carefully moved a piece of mah hair from mah face and put it behind mah ear. We just sat there and stared at one another.

"What have Ah done for ya'll?"

"A question better left for another time. Ya gonna need ya rest for tomorrow." He stood up and headed towards the door.

"Sweet dreams chere." Before Ah could say anythin' he had left and shut the door behind him.