Sugar Doll's Hurricane Blues (16 page)

“You promised my momma that you would get me out of town.” Sugar Doll sat upright determined not to be lured into the sexy warmth of Remy’s arms.

“When you are right, you are right. A promise is a promise, c’mon, get your things together and we can go. I’m not taking nothing cause I know it will pass over us but I understand how you feel baby and I always want you to feel safe with me.” Remy stood up and gave Sugar Doll a chaste peck on the forehead. “Oh, and I love you Sugar Doll.” Remy winked at her his beautiful eyes sparkling.

The phone rang breaking the quiet of the moment. The rain outside was a symphony of water spattering and wind. Remy pointed at Sugar Doll’s purse. “It’s yours honey. Probably your momma. Tell her we are on our way.” Remy said worried for the first time. Miss Mona was no one to play with and he realized his error in judgment.

“Oh, now you’re scared? A mean ole hurricane does nothing to you but now you are scared of Hurricane Mona. That’s funny.” Sugar Doll reached for her purse and pulled out her cell phone. “Hello,” she purred enjoying the moment.

“Hello?” “Where the hell are you gal?” It was Big Ma’s voice shouting angrily through the phone. Sugar Doll knew that the anger was more worry but it didn’t stop her from sitting upright.

“I’ve been worried sick and your cousin Bertrand is nowhere to be found.” Big Ma shouted even though relief flooded her being.

“I’m in the French Quarters Big Ma.” Sugar Doll interrupted.

“The French Quarters? You need to get out of New Orleans. Haven’t you been watching the news? I’m surprised I got you. All of the circuits have been busy. The Lawd has answered my prayer that’s all! We are in Alexandria. You need to get out of there!” Big Ma screamed furious that the child was still in harms way.

“We are leaving right now. We are going to Gonzales.” Sugar Doll tried to soothe her grandmother. Remy made a come here sign and they both headed for the door as she talked to her grandmother on the phone.

“You and Mona?” Big Ma asked.

“No, me and Remy.” Sugar Doll said cringing.

“Put him on the phone right now.” Big Ma demanded.

Sugar Doll reluctantly handed the phone to Remy mouthing “Big Ma.” He nodded understanding and took the phone.

“Hello there Big Ma!” Remy intoned cheerfully.

“Now you looka here Mister Remy Gaudeaux, that’s my grandbaby you got there. You need to get out of town right now. I may not be able to reach ya’ll again but I’m telling you to get her out of there now.” Big Ma demanded.

“We are on our way out of here right now ma’am. You have my word that I’ll take right good care of her.” Remy said sincerely.

“Well, I do hope so, cause I don’t want to know what she is doing with you and not her momma.” Big Ma expressed the concern that had already crossed her mind when Sugar Doll told her who she was with. She knew that it was inevitable. She could see the way they looked at each other on that day they came to visit. “Now put Sugar Doll back on the phone.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Remy handed the phone to Sugar Doll.

“Since you are closer maybe you can try to reach your cousin Bertrand to see what is the matter. It’s not like him to not call or to get word to me. He was in Baton Rouge but he’s not answering the phone. I feel like something bad has happened to him.” Big Ma said.

“Oh, he’s all right. You know Bertrand is afraid of bad weather, particularly lightening. He’s probably hiding somewhere, but I’ll try to call him and when we get to Gonzales I’ll try to call you again, so keep your line open.” Sugar Doll advised.

“Who else I’m gonna talk to anyway? I just got this phone for your benefit.” Big Ma smiled for the first time, her sweet little girl was safe.

“Alright, I’ll call you in a couple of hours. When the storm passes we will drive up there to come and get you.” Sugar Doll promised.

“Be careful. I love you Sugar Doll.” Big Ma hung up the phone praising the Lord for letting her hear her baby’s voice.

The air inside the tugboat was musty. The smell of crude oil was heavy and insistent curling its thick smell up Bertrand’s nostrils and making him feel nauseous. There were ropes strewn
everywhere, all over the floor. The boat was a mess. A tool box lay half opened. The place looked like someone had left in a hurry. True to form the key to the cabin was under the mat. Southerners were such trusting folks. Bertrand had never thought once about possibly being locked out of the boat. He didn’t have the criminal bent to break a window. “Yet you can break into a card game full of gangsters and pull a gun.” He said this aloud punishing himself for following Kevin’s desperate plan. So he would have lost the bar, now look at him stuck in a storm. He was a big man but he shivered, not from cold but from fear.

Marsalas arrived at the hospital one hour after Mona had left. His men spread out to search for Tony in the confusion. He would take him to his private physician if necessary. He felt his anger rise as he thought of that bitch.

“Boss, we found him in a room. It’s pretty bad.” Frank grabbed his arm and led him in the direction of the room.

As Marsalas approached the room he smelled death. He knew that there was no hope. Tony tried to lift his head but his breathing was ragged and raspy. Marsalas approached the bed slowly. His heart beat harder. Tony had been like a son to him.

“Marsalas I did not tell Mona about the operation. I swear on my mother’s grave.”

“You’ll swear on just about everything right now. That’s a serious wound you’ve got there. Do you think it’s wise to protect her now?” Marsalas shook his head.

Tony felt his resolve weaken. He felt the blood seeping into the bed from his side. The bandage was doing nothing. His mind raced. What if she did know? What if she planned the whole thing? It didn’t seem like her. He’d said things in anger but in reality, he trusted her. He didn’t want to hurt her. Marsalas studied him for a long moment.

“I told you to never think of a woman as stupid. For years I thought that you were skimming off of the top but I forgave that, honor among thieves. It’s your nature. I was proud of you.” Marsalas hesitated and looked carefully at Tony. “Maybe you ain’t as smart as I give you credit for – maybe she was doing the stealing?” Marsalas leaned on the bed.

“No, Marsalas, it was me all the way. If it was her I would tell you.” Tony rasped. Marsalas wasn’t buying it.

Tony passed out sweat dripping from his forehead. One of Marsalas’ men grabbed a passing nurse.

“Everyone is vacating the hospital sir. The hurricane is going to hit the city.” The nurse came into the room and took Tony’s vitals.

“He’s very weak and won’t be able to be moved. He needs a doctor.” The nurse said.

“Then get one!” Marsalas ordered. The big goon manhandled the nurse into the hallway. Marsalas watched as Tony’s breath caught and stopped. He put his fingers on his pulse. It was very weak. Marsalas shook his head and nodded to his goon. He walked from the room and into the steady rain. He had one thought, “Kill Mona.”

The rain poured down in a steady stream. Sugar Doll felt free and independent. She had a boyfriend! She looked over the hood of the car at Remy who looked just as free as she felt. Her body still zinged with his touch. She was happy that she had asked him to wait before they became intimate. She was disappointed that he looked relieved. He winked at her rain trickling down his face. The sound of sirens did not cause any alarm because the sheriff’s office was probably still evacuating residents. It was early evening even the color of the sky was a deep angry purple.

“Do you think that Mona and Tony are still at the club?” Remy asked.

“Probably, I know that Mona mentioned a big card game, so I doubt they are leaving until right before the storm hits. They are packed and ready to go. No one thinks that this hurricane is at bad as it sounds.” Sugar Doll said as she got into the dry car. The air freshener smelled of orange.

“Mayor Thompson begs to differ honey. He’s been all over the news telling people to get the hell out of Dodge.” Remy cracked.

“Maybe he’s right, but look at the streets, it looks like a lot of people have decided to ride the storm out right here in the Quarters or at home.” Sugar Doll looked at the street noting all of the people who were running around.

“These are people who can’t afford to go honey. They would if they could.” The couple drove down the narrow street toward Mona’s restaurant. They noticed police tape and a group of onlookers.

“What the hell is going on?” Remy exclaimed when he saw the crowd.

“Maybe they got robbed.” Sugar Doll said prophetically.

“People are too busy running from the hurricane to rob anybody.” Remy said.

They got out of the car to go to see what the problem was at the restaurant.

“They shot the owner.” A bystander said.

“What?” Sugar Doll cried.

“The owner was shot in the stomach, that’s what they are saying.” The bystander disappeared in the crowd to go to his home to start packing up. “People always got time for violence” he said to himself as he walked down the street toward his own flat in the quarter. He was prepared to go but curiosity had gotten the best of him.

“Oh Remy!” Sugar Doll screamed.

“Now hold on a minute, we are going to go and find her. The closest hospital is Charity so I know they took her there. Let’s go!” Remy opened the car door for Sugar Doll. He looked at the club all dark inside and felt the feeling of shock ebb away from his body. Tony was a gangster after all and this was something to be expected but poor Mona.

They raced across town to the hospital. The entrance was blocked so they had to find a parking spot on the street. They ran holding hands to the hospital only to experience complete chaos. Nurses and people were running to and fro. People were being taken out of the hospital.

“Excuse me where can I find a gunshot victim?” Sugar Doll asked upset and shaken. She cried as the nurse just walked past her ignoring her completely. An old woman in wheelchair reached out and touched her hand. The touch was familiar and kind.

“Honey just look in the hallways. I’m sad to say that the people here don’t care for us poor folks. They ain’t taking no patients in right now no way.” The old lady’s eyes were gray and watery.

“Thank you, thank you for answering me.” Sugar Doll gently touched her hand.

“Let’s break up and search the hallways and rooms.” Remy suggested. Sugar Doll nodded and took off in the opposite direction. She walked up one hall and then the next. There were many old people in corners. It looked as though someone just put them there for safe keeping. Remy saw a blood soaked sheet. He walked toward it slowly. The body that lay beneath had already been covered by some good Samaritan. As Remy pulled back the bloody sheet he saw Tony’s pale face. The face was so unlike the lively one he had just had drinks with just hours before that he stepped back in shock. Tony grabbed Remy’s wrist sending shockwaves through Remy’s entire being. Whoever had pulled that sheet over Tony had been premature.