Chapter Ten
Becky
Wednesday
D.J., we're in New Orleans, Louisiana! Finally! As of right now, I'm writing this in a hotel room while in bed. There are two bedrooms in this whole suite. Michelle, Denise, Wendy and the twins are in one room, sharing the bed, I might add. Joey's sleeping on the couch with the remote in his hand, and your Uncle Jesse is next to me, in a deep sleep. Oh, did I mention Comet? He's somewhere. Oh, wait a minute...he's with Joey.
But me? I cannot sleep a wink. Hello! I'm in New Freakin' Orleans, one of the most popular cities in America! Tomorrow, we'll be doing our sightseeing. For now, we're gonna get our beauty sleep. This is gonna be a blast! Oh, my God! I'm so excited!
"Oh, my God! The Louisiana Superdome!" Joey exclaimed at breakfast.
"What's that?" Nicky asked.
Joey stuck the New Orleans pamphlet he was reading into Nicky's face. "The biggest stadium in the whole country! It's so big, that a person could fit seven high schools into the place if they wanted to! Isn't this amazing?" Joey looked extremely excited and jublant.
Nicky looked confused. He scratched his head and looked up puzzledly at the rest of us.
"Don't mind your Uncle Joey, son. I think he's let the pointless stadium facts get to his brain," Jess teased.
I took a sip of coffee. "Oh, Danny called me this morning to let us know that they've reached the Central Time Zone," I replied.
"You're kidding," Jesse said. "He actually called to let you know what time zone he's in?"
"No, I'm not kidding. He said he's been paying attention to his atlas and he called me to let me know that he and the others have just crossed the Central Time Zone. I think he said that means they've already crossed half of the United States. Oh, and he also wanted to check up on Michelle."
"What'd you tell him?" Michelle asked.
"Just that you're still alive, not hurt and still fully clean."
We all rolled our eyes. I picked up my dirty dishes and put them into the dishwasher along with Nicky and Alex's. "Now that breakfast is over, does anyone have any plans? We have to move fast. Don't we have to reach Maine by next Sunday or something?"
"Yeah. We've got a lot more traveling to do. I can't believe we're almost there!" Wendy replied. "I'm looking forward to seeing Cousin Bethany again!"
"What is Bethany like, anyway?" Michelle asked. "I remember reading Dad's postcard saying she has four kids or something. That's all I know."
Wendy pursed her lips in thought. "From what I remember of her, she was a tomboy. I rarely saw her in a dress or a skirt. Bethany was prone to being overexcited about even the smallest thing. She loved listening to the Beatles a lot, from what I can remember of her. Her bedroom was a museum of Beatles memorbillia. Posters, lunchboxes, books...you name it. Her room was also very messy, which she and Danny often argued about. Danny hated messes and would always throw a fit if he saw one article of clothing or even a shoe on the floor."
"He's still the same way today," Jesse remarked, which made Michelle and Joey laugh.
Wendy smiled. "You guys will love her. Danny and Bethany haven't seen each other in awhile, but for the past ten years or so, they were still exchanging stories. That's how she knew about Pam and the girls and Jesse, even though she's never met them. She's just as awesome now as she is today."
I picked up the journal D.J. had given me and flipped through it. I wanted to have something to write about. I read Joey's entry about Arizona, Denise's about Texas, the entry I had dictated for Nicky in Four Corners and Michelle's entry about the San Diego Zoo. I wanted something interesting, too.
"I guess we'd better get going if we're going to tour New Orleans," I said.
Jesse nodded. "Can you believe all the hip jazz clubs they've got down here?"
"I thought you said you didn't want to come here!" I accused, remembering our little spat in the RV on the way to the zoo.
"I snuck your pamphlet when you weren't looking and read up a little on New Orleans. I've heard the jazz clubs are out of this world."
I rolled my eyes. When it came to music, there was no fooling around with Jesse.
"Okay, okay. I guess if everyone wants to go to different places, we can all split up. I'm going to give myself a little cultural tour of New Orleans. Anyone want to come with me?"
Joey shook his head. "Not me," he replied.
Michelle and Denise had 'Don't even think of asking me' all over their faces. Jesse kept clearing his throat and Wendy was shuffling her feet.
"We'll come with you, Mommy," Alex and Nicky chorused.
Trust my two loving sons to always stick by me. I grabbed them up and gave them each a kiss.
"Thanks, boys. We're gonna have such fun!" I replied, emphasizing the word 'fun' to the others. I went to freshen up and change. Afterwards,when everyone else had went their own separate ways, I got the twins dressed and put into a stroller.
There's so much to do here, but only one day to do it! I thought frantically. How was I going to get everything done?
It suddenly dawned on me that I had my Frommer's New Orleans tourbook. I had bought it the day before we left San Francisco. Scanning where I'd left off, I read what was written: "If you've got only one day in New Orleans, don't despair - the city is small enough for you to be able to get a taste of what it's all about in one day."
I frowned. That wasn't too helpful, I thought dejectedly.
"Mommy, when are leaving?" Alex asked.
"Soon, honey, soon," I told him.
"How soon?" Nicky added impatiently.
"As soon as I finish this part in the book," I assured.
The sentence went on, I found. " I'd suggest that you get there early in the morning and head to Cafe du Monde for beignets and coffee. Then follow the walking tour of the French Quarter..."
Hmmm...that doesn't sound too bad, I thought. Even though I had breakfast; scrambled eggs, toast, orange juice and coffee,I was still curious to find out about the culture of New Orleans, starting with the food everyone ate. I had no idea what beignets were but I was willing to find out.
"Okay, boys. We're going to a cafe to eat breakfast," I told them after I tucked the book away.
"But we already had breakfast," Nicky replied.
"That's okay. I guess we can have two meals," I said, smiling.
"Yay!" Alex and Nicky yelled.
So we headed to Cafe du Monde. After glancing at my map and walking around for nearly twenty minutes, trying to find the place, I finally found it at last. I opened the door and ducked inside. The cafe was a very homey-looking place. Very old fashioned.
"Hey, there! Can I help you, madam?"A plump-looking African-American woman asked. She rubbed her hands on her apron.
I smiled at her sheepishly. "Before I do, can you just tell me what beignets are? I want to try them but I have no clue what they are."
The woman smiled and nodded. I guessed she'd answered the same question to plenty of tourists a day. "Well, madam. Beignets are a French doughnut. They're square pieces of dough that we fry and then cover with powdered sugar when they're done," she told me.
"Hmmm...they sound just the same way fried dough is made!" I exclaimed.
The woman laughed. "Yes. They do, they sure do. Would you like some beignets? We serve them to all our customers in orders of three."
"I'd like some. And some coffee for me and hot chocolate for my boys here," I said, pointing to Nicky and Alex.
The woman peered over and smiled at the boys. "Oh, you have twins! They're the cutest things ever! Oh, how are you?"
"We're good," Alex said cheerfully.
"I like the smell in here. It smells like pancakes," Nicky added.
"Well, wait 'till you taste the beignets. They taste ten times better than pancakes!" the woman replied. She grinned at me. "Cute boys you got there," she replied.
"Thanks," I said. The woman went to the task of frying up some fresh beignets. A minute or two later, she came up and handed us our food. "You know, if you want, you can buy some of Cafe du Monde's beignet mix and follow the recipe. Would you like a box?" she asked.
I thought about making beignets in Maine and back in San Francisco. The rest of the family were going to love them.
"Sure. In fact, can I buy five boxes?" I asked.
The woman looked a little stunned, but she agreed. She rang up my purchases. After I paid up, I pushed the stroller out the door (Nicky and Alex waved to the woman.).
We sat down outside on a bench nearby the cafe and ate the beignets. And they were delicious.
"These are yummy!" Alex exclaimed, biting into his beignet.
Nicky simply nodded, his mouth full.
I laughed. "They'll be plenty of time to eat more because I bought mix to make more of these!" I exclaimed.
The twins cheered while waiting for their hot chocolate to cool.
I picked up my tourbook and continued reading. The Frommer's guide went on into the French Quarter. According to the guide, it mentioned the French Quarter being 'the most colorful part of what is arguably the most interesting city in the United States.'
Going to the French Quarter seemed to be very cultural, so after I finished my beignet and coffee, I waited for five minutes until the boys finished their beignets and hot chocolate. Then we left, with me glancing at my map, looking for the French Quarter.
Well, guess what? We got lost. It took nearly an hour to find it. I had to ask people for directions. And when we finally arrived, I was exhausted. Nicky and Alex fell asleep in the stroller.
The book listed at least thirty-four stops on the tour of the French Quarter and I wanted to see them all.
I yawned and stretched out my arms. I had a long way to go.
You'd never believe it, but I'm actually done with the walking tour of the French Quarter! I couldn't believe all the things I saw and the people I met along the way. I'd met a jazz musician named Rita Valentine inside a sandwich shop.She's a black woman my age and she's been singing all over Louisiana in bars and clubs, both big and small, including plenty of them on Bourbon St, a famous street at the French Quarter. I told her that my husband was also a musician.
Nicky and Alex were all the rave with the people I met. Everyone kept waving to the twins or stopping to tell me how cute they were.
When the boys weren't a topic of discussion, there was this one guy who fished in nearby Kenner, who told me the story about his twin brother who worked as a baker in New Orleans, making croissants. His brother was in the shop one day making more croissants when an order was filled to make a batch of them for Fats Domino, who is a big jazz musician. Rita mentioned to me that'd she met him more than once.
As I listened to all the stories and visited all the places, it came to me just how wonderful this city is. The people and the history.And most importantly, the music. Rita invited me to come see her perform later on the evening and I accepted. I couldn't wait to hear her. But I told her I wanted to bring my family.
"Sure. Bring everyone you know. I don't care if you bring the President of the United States - I just wanna have everybody hear me sing!" she exclaimed.
Later that evening, back in the hotel room, everyone was getting ready to go to the House of Blues, which was on Bourbon Street. I'd told everyone about Rita and they looked forward to going.
"Seems cool. I've never met a real-live jazz musician before. Hey, do they have stand-up comedy there?" Joey asked.
"Of course they don't. That's why it's called the House of Blues," Jesse replied.
Joey continued to look dumbfounded.
"Ah, forget it," Jesse said, shaking his head. Then he turned his attention to me. "Honey, you look gorgeous," he said to me.
I was wearing my simple black sundress with a pair of black high-heeled sandals with my hair in a french braid.
"Thanks," I replied, kissing his cheek. "Not too shabby yourself."
He was wearing a white dress shirt with a few of the buttons undone (Something very sexy, if you ask me), black pants, patent leather black shoes and a black suit jacket.
He kissed me gently and I began to swoon before Joey interrupted us.
"Let's go while we're young, okay?" he teased, tapping his watch.
I nodded. "Okay, okay. Let's go. Girls, are you ready?" I asked to Michelle, Denise and Wendy.
"We're ready!"
"Okay, then. We have to be at the House of Blues in twenty minutes. Let's go before there's nowhere to sit!"
Rita had told me the House of Blues was a hotspot at night. Usually, when you showed up late, there was hardly anywhere to sit.
After the girls came out of their room, we were out the door. We took two taxis to the HOB rather than drive the RV or walk.
Outside the HOB, I spotted Rita right away near the entrance.
"Rita!" I exclaimed, waving to her.
"Rebecca! Is this your family? Hey, how is everyone?" she asked.
Everyone exchanged greetings and conversation. Afterwards, Rita led everyone to the entrance. "These are some friends of mine. I invited them to the show," she replied to the ticket lady and the bouncer. They both nodded.
When were inside, Rita sat us down at a table. "Enjoy yourselves, y'all. We're gonna rock the house. I'll see you soon. I have to do rehearsal, makeup and hair. I'll see you after the show," she said, waving.
"'Bye. Nice meeting you," Jesse replied. After she was gone, he turned to me. "This is great. I guess New Orleans isn't too bad after all."
"So, you're admitting it's not just aboutboring French museums then?" I asked.
Jesse blushed. "I guess not," he admitted.
I kissed his cheek. "Well, that'll teach you to never judge a book by its cover," I said.
"Does that mean you'll give Graceland a try?" he asked.
I winced slightly at the thought of going to that Elvis museum, but I nodded. After all, I would be hypocritical if I told Jesse I didn't want to go to Graceland.
"Okay. You've got a deal," I replied.
Twenty minutes later, the emcee came up to the stage. A huge crowd began to cheer.
"What's up, what's up!" The emcee asked the crowd. We all clapped and cheered.
The emcee nodded enthusiastically. "That's what I wanna hear! Yeah!"
He picked up the mic. "Welcome to the House of Blues, ladies and gentleman. In the one hour that you're here, you are gonna hear the best jazz musicians that we could find fromall over New Orleans. We've got pianists, saxphonists, girl groups, scat singers...you name it, we've got them. The first person I want to bring to the stage is a man who got jazz in his blood. He learned how to play saxphone when he was four and now, he's here today. He's playing an original song on his sax called 'I Love My Baby Much More' - Here's Stuart Jackson!"
We clapped and watched Stuart come out with his sax. And boy, could he blow! After he was done, I gave him a standing ovation.
"Man, he was good!" Denise raved.
I nodded my agreement.
The emcee brought out three more entertainers before Rita. After a girl group named the Belles finished their piece, the emcee introduced Rita.
"She's a natural around Louisiana. She's been performing ever since she was eighteen. Performing her original song 'Mother's Song', let's hear it for Rita Valentine!"
The music played and Rita's soft, crystal-clear voice resounded all over the blues club. I was absolutely spellbound by her beauty and her voice.
Mother, I love you. Mother, I care about you. In case you don't know this, I sang this song for you.
I loved the lyrics. She sang them so clearly and truthfully, I wanted to cry. I knew there weren't any local musicians in San Francisco who sounded like Rita.
After she was done, she took a bow. I bolted up and gave her a standing ovation. I was up longer for her than I was for Stuart.
The emcee saw me and he chuckled. "Looks like Ms. Valentine's got a #1 fan," he said.
Everyone chuckled and kept clapping. I blushed and sat back down.
The emcee launched into the rest of the show afterwards and we enjoyed it. After the last act had performed and the emcee closed out the show, we all made our way to the door. Rita was waiting for us outside again.
"Rebecca! Did you enjoy the performances?" she asked.
"I loved them! Rita, you were amazing!" I replied.
"Yeah - You can really sing!" Michelle piped up.
Everyone else nodded in agreement.
"Well, thank you very much. I'm glad you liked my singing. I'm in the process of recording a demo. I don't have it recorded yet, but I'll be more than happy to give you all one. After all, I have fans, but no one from California!"
I hugged her. "So glad I met you. You're awesome!"
Rita smiled. "Keep in touch, Rebecca," she said.
"Of course I will," I said.
After a few pictures were taken and our addresses were written down, we all had to go back to the hotel.
Back at the hotel, I got ready for bed. But before I got in bed with Jesse, I was at the kitchen table writing in my journal.
New Orleans is a spectcular city. The people, the stories, the places and the music is what makes this city so great. I will never forget the people I met and the places I visited and the food I ate (I love beignets now!) will always stick with me whenever I think of the heart of a city.
And with that, I put the journal back in my suitcase, snuggled up with Jesse and went to sleep.
AN: I dedicate this chapter to the city of New Orleans and all of the hurricane victims of Katrina and Rita. God be with you.