Familiar Love

I’ve been here so many times. Though to a certain degree this was my home.. it hadn't been for a long time. Summers at my grandmothers were far and few after I was old enough to choose to stay home. But it was fun! All the long nights with my grandparents, visiting the family shop and fun with the neighborhood kids and oh Mr.Lincoln's Candy was legendary in town. Good times...but moving here was so different. I lived in Jacksonville, Florida all my life. For 17 years I’ve had my friends, my home and my school and now I’m uprooting everything because my stupid aunt wants to sell my grandmother’s house and my mother is a sentimental sap.

“Oh no no no no no! Watch the floors, please” she said to the movers carrying her very heavy and expensive brown leather couch into the parlor. My Grandmother had a beautiful Double Gallery house. A common site in Louisiana but my grandmother’s house was the envy of the block. It was polished and kept to perfection. Big yellow and white. Beautiful flowers in her garden, the vegetation climbed the home but managed to still look maintained. It was just how Nana liked it.

The movers dropped the “Welcome” Sign from the door, making a loud bang on the floor, scaring the hell out of me I rose from my hiding spot tucked in the window seat behind heavy brown curtains. I’d been hanging out in the living room trying to avoid work. “I’ll get it gentlemen I’m on my way out”. My father said, straightening his tie. His work as a lawyer was a big reasons why we could move so fast and on such short notice. He got a job at a new firm quickly because of the hot streak he was on in the last 2 years, hadnt lost one case yet.

My nose crinkled as the two sweaty men set the couch down, Their shirts soaked with sweat.

“Uhhh Madeline, we’re gonna need a new door you know that?” My father said from the doorway, he’d been rushing to get to work and was now stalled staring at the open front door. He was a handsome black man. He always wore suits and I couldn’t imagine him clean shaved, it was always 5 o’clock shadow or a full on beard. I jogged from the front of the parlor to the door. His finger traced a star on the door. It was a a carving I wasnt unfamiliar with but it name was escaping my mind. Being in New Orleans you dont often meet people who dont believe in the Occult. My grandmother certainly did. “Why would we have to do that”? My mom asked. My dad and I were close in height. I was at his shoulders. Almost everyone in my family was tall.

My dad pointed to the symbol. My Mother’s stopped to examine it. She was, is and will always be beautiful. Creme skin and short curly brownish blonde hair. She modeled for a while but eventually went from model to talent agent after I was born. “Oh yea, I forgot to tell you-”

“Babe...We talked about this. This stuff needs to go. Je déteste quand vous faites cela” Ugh I hate when they go on in French. “It belongs to the house Isaac, I don’t care if we get rid of the other stuff...it creeps me out too but...we can’t change the house.” My mother had a slight french twang to her accent that most New Orleans natives didnt have but my grandfather moved here from Haiti. She grew up with the accent.

They had been arguing about the house since before we left. In secret, on the phone. But I pieced most of it together. See my grandmother wasn’t the run of the mill bake you cookies and take you to church on sundays type.

Her, my grandfather and uncle ran a local occult shop. Voodoo, Santareia etc. My mother believed more than my father who didn’t believe at all. It didn’t matter that my father grew up here. His mother always said “If you don't believe it, it can’t affect you” and he never did. They continued to silently argue in the doorway and I took it as an opportunity to leave and go to my new room.

This house had 4 bedrooms and mine was smaller than the one in Jacksonville but it had beautiful cherry wood floors and a nice built in beside my closet...which was also small. I went to the window near my catty cornered bed. It was a hot late afternoon in louisiana. There were neighborhood kids outside playing, most were riding on bikes. This was the last week of summer and many of the people in the neighborhood were at a local park celebrating...They celebrated everything here. Holidays, Life and death. New Orleanians seemed like the type of people to celebrate monday’s. “Sophia !” My mother bellowed from down the stairs. I sighed heavily before running down the steps. “Yes Ma’am”. She was holding up two swatches with variants of Blue and two take out menus in the had on her hip. “What do you think. Light or Dark?” I fell onto the couch. “Mmm In the Middle?”

She sighed. “That wasn't a choice Mon Amour, can you juggle picking between Soul food or Chinese?” She threw the menus at me. I laughed as the phone rang, the shrill sound managed to scare me once more. My mother ran for it. “Lo Mein does sound good…” I could go for an early lunch.

“Zoe…” Uh Oh..Aunty Zo. See that would be said Aunt who wanted to sell said house. “The move is going great actually...I may paint. Isaac wants a Reno but you know what Ma said. destroy her mother’s house and she’ll kill us”. My mother looked over at me, I could feel her eyes on me. “No I haven’t spoken to Louie...Last I heard hes still at that store, or the little coffee shop next door. Lives above it in the loft” My mother hasn’t been to the store in years. Not since I was 7 and had a panic attack from seeing a whole pig slaughtered in the back room. I was traumatized, needless to say I haven’t been either.

“Well that’s good for him. If he wants to keep it he can. But I have to go, Sophia wants Lo Mein.” She said her goodbyes and hung up the phone. She pointed the phone at me. “Stay-

“Away from store. I know. I plan too”. I raised my hands and threw her the menu. “Lo Mein and 2 egg rolls”. She nodded barely catching them. “I guess you can stop by the coffee shop. Im sure Louie misses you. Wants to see his only niece”. She went off into the kitchen to order. The sun was still high and the movers were packing up their moving equipment. “We’re all done Mrs.Devereux.” One of the movers said. He was young, maybe a little older than me. Baby face and dark black skin like night. His shirt was drenched and his jeans were dirty, boots scuffed. “Oh She’s in the kitchen but thank you.”.

“It’s no problem, Welcome to the neighborhood..sorry to hear about your grandmother by the way she was a nice woman.” My eyebrow rose. “You knew her?”

He stepped closer. “Yea, My momma bought things from her sometimes. Im Beau by the way Beau Caldwell. He stuck his hand out. I leaned forward to shake his hand. They were rough. “Sophia”.

“I know. I feel like I know you, as much as Momma Rose spoke of you. I use to see you in the summers sometimes too.” He said. Weird. I didn’t remember him.

“Oh Beau!” My mother came from nowhere. “Thank you so much for helping tell your mother I said hello.” He smiled. He had impeccable white teeth. “Yes Ma’am I will”.

He found his way out and when the door closed my mother turned to me. “He’s so handsome no?” I rolled my eyes. “Food will be here soon. Lunch and a movie?”

“Sounds good Ma”. She walked off into the living room with her swatches in hand. “Light blue looks fine”. She mumbled before making her way into the kitchen. I leaned back onto the couch.

So far I hadn’t thought much about New Orleans, But I’d only been here for 24 hours. I guess I could start with the judgement of New Orleans Chinese food first.

The next morning my mother and I went into The Quarter to go grocery shopping and look around. She show’d me all her old spots to hang out. All through the streets you heard old Southern Jazz and a multitude of colours everywhere. It was Fat Tuesday everyday here. It reminded me of every movie I’d ever seen involving this city. I can tell you for sure, Every movie you’ve ever seen is correct. Bars, History tours, stores, restaurants, old shacks and Voodoo shops. Including Midnight Magic...my family's very own voodoo and magic supply store.

It looked the same as always, a big red building with the balcony on top draped in beautiful assorted flowers. Midnight Magic written in Dark blue and outlined in white. The doors were closed and I saw movement inside. But my mom had no intention of going in. The restaurant that was once next door called “Freddies”, was now called Midnight Lounge. For a Coffee shop attached to a magic shop, It actually seemed like the kind of place I’d hang out in back in Jacksonville. The walls were thick enough to block out the sounds of New Orleans and there was low indie music playing over the sound system. It was Dark yet light and open. There was a small stage to the far right near the bathrooms. It smelled like cake and coffee.

“Sophia! Wow look at you”. Maximilius came from my left, in a smock wearing a grey shirt and faded blue jeans. Maximilius is my uncles very handsome colombian husband. They met while my uncle was on a “Pride vacation” in New York. They’ve been inseparable ever since. He set down two big boxes and took me into a strong hug. “Hey uncle Max!”

“Look at you, your mother gave you those legs. To die for.” He laughed in my ear. “Yea she did, But I won’t be modeling any time soon”. I’d much rather be behind the camera then in front of it. Max smiled over at my mother. “You look as lovely as ever Maddy”.

“Thank you Max, You still look like a Novela Star. It’s not too late you know, I could have you on any cover in the world. One phone call”. She laughed coming over to give him a kiss and a hug. My family was very accepting of my uncles. After all it is the 21st century.

“I’ll go get Chris”. As Max was making his way toward what I assumed was the kitchen door, My uncle Chris emerged with a pretty woman. She had long black hair and tattoos all over her arms. Full sleeve of colour and animals, trees and more. “Ahh Chris! Look who’s here”. Max gave a thumb jab toward us as he picked up his boxes.

Uncle Chris still looked the same. Dark black skin and a smile that could light up anyones day and these pretty hazel eyes no one else had. My Uncle was adopted by our family but that didn’t change anything. He was always family to me no matter how different he looked from our carmel clan. “Well, Well..It took a hurricane, dead parents and the threat to sell a house to get you to come but your back”. Yikes. Same Ol, same ol.

“Lovely way to put it Christopher”.

“Well you know me. I’m a Sagittarius after all” . He opened his arms. “Welcome home sis”. My Mother practically ran for my uncle. They had a long hug, it was touching.

“Oh Louie I missed you so much.”

“Ugh not Louie. I didn’t even like it when Ma called me that”. He pushed her away and she gasped. “Well you have two names Christopher”.

“Yea and I don’t answer to my slave name.” The white girl beside him laughed and made her way to the counter to sit. She tried to avoid my eyes but she was oddly familiar. “Well Look at you..” Chris said his eyes falling on me. “You look just like your mom when she was younger.”

I sighed. I was getting tired of all the comparison. Me and my mother were actually very different. “Yea Im gettin that a lot. Madeline Devereux’s daughter. Carbon copies yada yada”. I went to give him a hug but he pushed me away from my forehead.

“Ow”

“Less Attitude works wonders”. He went around the counter. “Coffee’s on me”.

“Latte with a slice of that Chocolate cake please”. My Mother said taking a seat.

“Bitch did I say cake”? My uncle pulled down a cup and I laughed. “Just give me the damn cake Chris”.

I rubbed my forehead and took a seat between my mother and biker chick. “What about you Princess?” My uncle said. “French Vanilla and a tiramisu”. My uncle laughed. “You two…give an inch take a mile.”

As he prepared our order, the girl beside me begins to drink her coffee and it catches my eye. Her Tattoos are beautiful. So much colour. It’s mostly animals, a woodland theme. Deer, beaver, owls, ravens, bears and a pretty pond. So much. I wonder if it hurt her. She clears her throat and I think I’ve been caught

“Chris, I’ll be in the shop”. She says.

He turns and looks at my mom who in turn looks at him with curious eyes before they turn to face her. “O-Okay yea Rowan”.

“Rowan”. I say out loud without thinking. She turns to me. She has pretty dull green eyes and a small smile. “You’re going to the shop?” My mother says. She looks her up and down. Not even trying to hide it. She didn’t give off any indication of just being judged by my mother. “Gotta man the front desk. Fill out some orders.” She stuck her hand out to me first. “Rowan Michaels”. I shook it. She had soft, warm hands. she let go and went for my mothers. “Madeline, Mom never spoke of you before.”

“Mama Rose took me in a year ago. I was homeless. A Runaway. She gave me a job and let me stay above the store. She didn’t want you to freak out about her taking in a stranger”.

“Well that’s ridiculous. I didn’t freak when she took you in”. She turned to Chris who barked a laugh. “HA! You Lied”.

“Wait..I thought you lived above the store Christopher”. She said accusingly. I was still looking at Rowan and she turned to me with a small smile. I turned away realizing how weird it was I was staring. “No I’m staying above the lounge. It’s a 3 bedroom apartment. The store was a studio. I needed more room...Max and I are thinking adoption.” My mother squealed. “Oh that’s great! but you can’t take on two children. What about Rowan here”

“Ahh I actually just turned 20. I’m not a kid.”

“Oh..” was all that came out of her mouth. Well...this is awkward. “Well I’ve got orders to fill...Ladies”. She went to the door she came from and my mother went off.

“YOU LET MOM ADOPT A 19 YEAR OLD RUNAWAY AND DIDN’T TELL ME!”

“Oh my god Maddy you tight ass!” He set down our cups and Max slid us our cakes.

“Rosie, begged us not to Maddy”. Max said. “She thought you would call the cops or look for the girl’s parents. She didn’t want you thinking she lost her mind.” He tried to calm her.

“Of course she lost her damn mind. She could have been a killer or robbed you bleeding hearts blind”. She sipped her coffee. That tiny purple vein was popping out her forehead. Last time I saw that I snuck out the house to go to a concert in Orlando. I almost died that night.

“Your such a bitch Maddy. Mom always wanted to help people. She saw that girl out in the cold and rain and wanted to help her.” Chris whisper yelled.

“Oh please Louie this isn’t some movie. This is real life and in real life people use that as a way to get into your homes and kill you”. She argued.

“Mom would never let that happen and you know it”. He leaned back and pointed to the middle of his forehead. My mother waved him off. “Oh please. L’oeil was mom’s way of getting us to keep us in line. Fear of her”.

What’s The Eye?

“Oh Maddy. You go off to College and started dating Isaac and now you say “Fuck you” to your heritage. Everything mother believed in and raised you on. Now you visit The church on holidays and wear a cross but deep down you know where you come from.” She waved him off.

“I grew up Chris. I didn’t want to stay in New Orleans and sell spices.”

Max put a hand on my uncle's arm before he could respond. We ate in silence until I bought up the adoption. Then conversation came pretty easy.