Chapter 5: Laurent

"Laurent," Letha says softly reaching out and cupping his left cheek.

"Don't you dare touch me!" Laurent hisses shoving her hand away.

"I am your mother and you will treat me with some goddamn respect!"

"You don't have the right nor the verbal leisured privilege to call yourself my mother. You didn't raise me and you damn sure could care less about me. The only person who cared about me was standing right in front of you. She made sure I was loved, fed, provided for, supported, and well-educated. You on the other hand had six other children and lived a happy life free of responsibility when it came to me. It must be nice to know that you got six more chances to correct the one mistake you made." Laurent says harshly before looking over at Ida.

"Are you okay Grandmother?"

"I'm fine darling, we'll be leaving momentarily."

Laurent smiles at her before looking over at Letha grimacing.

Letha looks at him sadly before he turns around and goes downstairs to her car.

"So, what lies have you been feeding him about me?" Letha asks getting Ida's attention.

"His resentment of you is on your heart, mind, and shoulders darling. I brought him to you when he was two years old. You rejected him and gave your attention to Yorkshire. Eventually, Laurent was the last thing on your mind and heart. There's no need for you to try and be his mother now. That bonding period has long passed. All you can do now is focus on not screwing up your youngest three children."

"You don't have the right to judge me."

 Letha then enters Ida's personal space once more causing Ida to shove her.

"I let you off with a fair warning earlier but you never were the sensible type. You always liked going for broke and got exactly what was owed you. Like I said earlier, you better start listening to Kathy. I'll see you soon. I love you." Ida says sweetly.

Letha turns around and goes back inside slamming the door. Ida sighs shaking her head before going downstairs to her white luxury sedan. Laurent opens the front passenger door and Ida gets in. Soon the car starts and pulls away from the curb. Letha sighed heavily before heading upstairs to her bedroom.

The following morning at fifteen minutes to five Lynn wakes up and feels three fingers inside of her. When her vision clears, she sees Vernon hovering above her. He has his right hand covering her mouth. He then leans down inches away from her face.

 "You better not scream." Vernon hisses.

Lynn bites his fingers and the underside of his hand. He screams in pain and gets off of her.

 "You're going to pay for that bitch!" Vernon declares pointing at her.

She looks over at her sleeping sisters and quietly gets out of bed and goes to the bathroom. While undressing she looks down at her genitals and begins crying. She turns on the shower and lets it warm up. After checking the water temperature Lynn steps into the bathtub and cleans herself. Upon getting out she grabs a sky-blue Terrycloth from behind the door and slips into it. She places her clothes inside the hamper in the linen closet. She resumes crying as she goes downstairs to the basement and knocks on the door. She goes downstairs and rouses Kathy.

A few seconds later Kathy opens her eyes and sees Lynn's crying face and quickly embraces her.

"What's the matter, Lynn?" Kathy asks as they separate and Lynn sits down beside her.

"D-Daddy V-Vernon touched me between my legs twenty minutes ago," Lynn says avoiding Kathy's eyes.

"My word. How long has this been happening?"

"Since I was six," Lynn confesses.

Kathy places her hand on Lynn's left shoulder and squeezes it.

"Does anyone else know of this?"

"No. You're the first I've told." Lynn sniffles wiping her eyes.

"Are you going to tell Mother?"

 Lynn looks over at her fearfully.

"I can't. She loves him. The only thing telling her would do is disrupt the peace that quails over the house." Lynn says making Kathy chuckle.

"We were born into dysfunction and abuse. There's no such thing as peace here. Galleria is the only person she cares about. But it's more than just her that she needs to be emotionally available to." Kathy says angrily clenching her fists.

"Promise me you won't say anything to anyone, especially Mother." Lynn pleads.

"I promise. Are you going to go back to bed?" Kathy asks extending her pinky which Lynn links her own to.

"Yes, but I want to remain here with you. At least he won't try and touch you." Lynn

 Kathy nods her head.

"That's perfectly fine. There's an extra pillow over there in the chair." Kathy says pointing to the opposite side of the basement.

Lynn goes and gets the pillow and gets into the opposite side of the bed. Soon the sisters go back to dreamland.

It's fifteen minutes to seven and the Lane Morgan neighborhood is still asleep in the confines of their majestic paradise. In this neighborhood stands Gardenia Alle. An orange dirt road leads to the grand abode. It is a two-story Greek revival mansion with six bedrooms and six private bathrooms. The pedimented entablature is supported by six Corinthian columns. The garage is around the back along with a pool and a two-bedroom two-bathroom guest house. The front door has a dark gold privacy handle.

Upon entering the home there is a Y-shaped staircase. To the left is a white swinging door that leads to the dining room and kitchen. Walking down the wide hallway that's parallel to the staircase leads to the sunroom. The sunroom double doors are white with privacy handles. The walls are peach with white baseboards. In the center is another white camelback couch with cherry wood trim.

Across from the couch is three black cast iron chairs. They each have navy blue cushions. The two windows have gold drapes that hang flawlessly to the floor. Going right leads to the living room. The foyer has marble floors all throughout the house except for the bedrooms. The living room has a white camelback chair with cherry wood trim with a matching loveseat across from it. Facing each other are two white chairs with cherry wood trim.

In between the furniture is an oak wood table. Underneath is a black and beige rug. To the left of the couch is a small table with a white telephone. The receiver is white with a gold handle. Hanging on the beige walls are portraits of descendants of the Gentry family. Behind the furniture is a white fireplace. Above the fireplace is a picture of a couple. The man is sitting in a chair with his legs crossed.

His chin is resting on top of his knuckles. He has bright skin with almond-brown eyes. He is wearing a black suit with a bow tie. He has a serious demeanor gracing his face. The woman is standing beside him. Her right hand is resting on top of the chair. She has ebony skin with gray eyes.

She is wearing a forest green off-the-shoulder gown with a black salamander necklace and black studs. Her hair is styled in a pinup fashion. Her face is made up of soft powder, black eye shadow, black eyeliner, and burgundy lipstick. She has a soft smile on her face. The drapes are forest green with gold trim. They are separated by gold hooks. Up against the west wall is a black piano and on the opposite wall is a golden harp.

The dining room walls are beige with white baseboards. The dining room table set is pink ivory. It seats ten people. The table has placemats on them with glass bowls lined up behind each other. They are each filled with different fruits. One bowl has red apples. Another has peaches and another has peaches. Going through another swinging door leads to the kitchen.

The kitchen has mahogany cabinets with silver oval knobs. The countertop is marble. The appliances are rose gold with chrome trim. The stove has an island range hood. The pantry is a cross from the refrigerator. Up above is a skylight that peers into the kitchen. In the middle of the kitchen is a large island counter. It has a marble countertop with mahogany drawers and cabinets. The drawers have silver elegant pulls and the cabinets have silver oval knobs.  

There are three bedrooms on both sides of the wing. To the left are the master bedroom and two bedrooms. To the right is Algier's bedroom and two other bedrooms. The master bedroom has sapphire blue carpeting. The walls are brown with white baseboards. Up against the left wall is a king-size cherry wood canopy bed naked of drapes. On both sides of the bed are nightstands are wooden lamps with white lampshades.

On the right nightstand is a clock. Resting against the opposite wall is a cherry wood dresser with elegant gray pulls. The bathroom and closet are a few feet away from the dresser. In the corner is a cherry wood body mirror. The doors to the closet and bathroom are white with six panels and a dark brown privacy handle. The bathroom countertop is marble. There is a husband-and-wife sink. There is a Jacuzzi with a shower head and in the back is a private toilet room.

In the main room of the closet is a cabriole loveseat in the center. There is a double door with one dark brown privacy handle. The walk-in closet has three long racks in a U shape. On the top shelves are high heels and men's dress shoes.

Algier's bedroom walls are painted bronze with white baseboards. Up against the back wall is an oak four-post bed. On both sides of the bed are nightstands with lamps. Adorning his walls are posters of male and female movie stars. On the other side of the room are a cherry wood dresser, body mirror, closet, and bathroom. The closet is walk-in with three tall shelves filled with tennis shoes and dress shoes. Walking deeper into the closet leads to another closet filled with suits, sweater vests, collar shirts, and slack combination outfits.  

Algier and his parents Broderick and Gardenia are in the dining room having breakfast. Gardenia has prepared sausage, pancakes, scrambled eggs, biscuits, and white rice. In a glass pitcher is a glass of apple juice. Algier is sitting on the left side of the table. He is wearing a leather jacket, a black t-shirt, black leather pants, and black and white tennis shoes. Broderick is sitting at the head of the table. He is wearing a black suit, a white business shirt, a black tie, and black dress shoes.

Gardenia is sitting at the tail end. She is wearing a bronze silk pants suit, a black business shirt, and three-inch pointed-toe stilettos. Her face is made up of soft powder, black eye shadow, black eyeliner, and burgundy lipstick.

"So, this is who you chose to be for Celebrity Day? A common criminal?" Broderick asks offended in a regal Louisiana accent looking at his son.

"It's a nice departure from how I'm used to living."

"I think you look lovely sweetheart," Gardenia says warmly in a southern Mississippi accent smiling at her son.

"Thank you, Mother. So, the homecoming dance is this Saturday and I want you both to meet my lady love."

 Gardenia clasps her hands together while Broderick looks at him curiously.

"Hopefully she brings something to the table other than looks and the color pink," Broderick says smugly before sipping his apple juice.

"Broderick be respectful." Gardenia scolds looking at him.

 The remainder of breakfast is eaten in silence.

The St. James dining room is filled with the St. James siblings. Kathy is wearing a blue jean corset with diamonds adorning the breast line, fitted blue jeans, and navy blue pointed-toe stilettos. Over her corset is a blue jean jacket with rhinestones adorning the collar and stitch line. Her hair is styled in a voluminous mod flip with a bang covering her right eye. Her face is made up of soft powder, gray eye shadow, black eyeliner, and gloss. Her fingernails are painted light gray.  

Galleria is wearing a white long-sleeve dress with Sakura cherry blossoms, a pink coat, and a pair of pink go-go boots. On her head is a white beret and her hair falls seamlessly down to her shoulders. Yorkshire is wearing a white T-shirt, black jeans, and white sneakers. Topping off his outfit is a black jean jacket. Natalee is wearing a purple blouse with a white pencil skirt and white tennis shoes. Lynn is wearing a gray long-sleeve sweater dress with a wide black waist belt. On her feet is a pair of black leather go-go boots.

Bossier is wearing a red long-sleeve sweater, black leather pants, and black tennis shoes. Her face is devoid of makeup. Her hair is styled in its usual Pageboy cut.  

Kathy had prepared French toast, egg omelets, and bacon for breakfast with a pitcher of orange juice.

"You sure made breakfast simple this morning Kat," Bossier says looking at her plate.

"Yeah, I didn't feel like doing anything extravagant."

"So, who are you supposed to be dressed like half-breed?" Galleria asks getting Kathy's attention.

"My favorite actor and singer Cass Mareen!"

Yorkshire chuckle.

"He was a faggot that wore women's clothes. You can't tell me that you admire someone like that." Yorkshire says disgusted.

"He lived his life fearlessly and dressed better than any woman of his day."

The remainder of breakfast is eaten in silence.

Dante comes down the staircase holding the handrail. He is wearing a teased blonde bouffant wig with a side ponytail, a black off-the-shoulder top, dark blue jeans, and a pair of backless open-toe black high heels. Over his top is a black leather jacket. His face is made up of light powder, black eyeshadow, black winged eyeliner, and bright red lipstick. When he gets to the dining room, he sees his parents at the dining room table. His father is sitting at the head of the table.

He is wearing a gray-blue suit with a white business shirt, black tie, and black dress shoes. His mother Grace is sitting at the tail of the table. She has fair skin with shoulder-length brown hair. It is pulled back into a nice large bun with a side bang. Her blue eyes are complimented by black eye shadow and black eyeliner. She is wearing a red cheongsam dress with black Chinese symbols and a pair of black round-toe high heels.

Grace rests her chin on her left hand looking her son over admirably.

 "You look gorgeous son," Grace says sweetly in an East Louisiana accent.

 "Thank you, Mother. I like to think I did a good job." Dante says going to sit between his parents.

"I just want you to be safe while you're at school dressed as a woman."

"You don't have to worry about me, Daddy. If either of you get a phone call from school it won't be for the reason you think."

Ten minutes later Dante finishes his breakfast and gets up from the table.

"I'm off to school. I'll see you later. I love you." Dante says sweetly looking between his parents.

"We love you too Princess."

"You be safe sweetheart," Grace says as Dante walks out the dining room.

Galleria and Yorkshire are going downstairs when Tiffany comes walking up the path. She is wearing a burgundy baseball cap with vanilla stripes. Her baseball jersey is burgundy with vanilla stripes and matching pants. On the back of the jersey is the number three with the name Fore written above in capital letters. On her feet is a pair of cream cleats. Her hair is pulled back into a low ponytail. When she meets Galleria's eyes an annoyed expression takes her face hostage.

"I'm sure my mother gave you a lashing yesterday but I can discipline you in a way that she can't. You keep your nigger ass off my mother's property! If I catch you here again you will deal with me!" Galleria threatens.

 Tiffany scoffs in response.

"You have nothing but space and opportunity yet you choose to run your mouth like a dirty water faucet."

Tiffany then walks around them and walks onto the porch.

"Good morning, y'all. I see you decided to be Cass Mareen when she did Delaware Affair?" Tiffany asks looking her over surprised.

"I had to do the queen justice. It's been eight years since her death and she deserves homage. And you've decided to be Chester Fore? I have to say that this suits you very well. You look like quite the athletic." Kathy says looking Tiffany over.

"Thank you and you definitely look glamorous, especially for pulling off this celebrity," Tiffany says as Kathy locks the door.

"You're welcome and thank you so much for noticing. Now let's get going. I don't want us to be late."

The quartet walks downstairs.

When they reach the first block Kathy, Natalee, and Tiffany part ways with Bossier Lynn and cross the street. When they arrive at school Natalee walks inside while Kathy and Tiffany stand on the parking lot sidewalk. Moments later Algier's car pulls in front of them. The chauffeur gets out and opens the rear right passenger door. Algier steps out and when he sees Kathy he is taken aback and left speechless.

"What do you think Algier?" Kathy asks clasping her hands in front of her.

"You look out of this world sexy. You really pulled off Cass Mareen in the film Delaware Affair." Algier says impressed.

"And you look like a real crime boss. You're definitely working the leather jacket and the pompadour wig. You really groovy." Kathy says linking arms with him.

He then looks over at Tiffany.

"If it isn't our future baseball star. Tiffany, you look like you will be making nothing but home runs. That's a nice baseball uniform. So, who are you supposed to be?"

Tiffany turns her back to him and Algier chuckles.

"Chester Fore huh, well I certainly dig it."

Tiffany turns around and they begin their trek to the building.

"Who do you think everyone else will be?" Kathy asks as they walk through the school doors.

"We'll find out soon enough."

Some female students were pageant winners while some male students were football players and others were astronauts.

"Hmm, this feels more like career day than celebrity day." Kathy comments making Algier laugh.

As they walk down the hallway the students look at the trio in shock, happiness, and disgust. When they get to the cafeteria they walk to the back of the cafeteria and sit down.

"All those eyes on us made me very uneasy," Kathy says looking around the cafeteria.

"If any of those motherfuckers try anything I'll be ready to deck their ass," Tiffany says looking over at Kathy.

Dante walks through the school doors and the hall falls completely silent. Some students gawk at him while others wear looks of envy and disgust. Dante goes to the restroom and uses it. After finishing he goes to the sink on the far left and washes his hands. Afterward, he grabs some paper towels and dries his hands dabs the inner corner of his eyes. Meanwhile, the door opens and footsteps are heard. When he throws them away, he turns around and finds himself surrounded by Yorkshire, Delorian, and two other football players.