The Mystery of Chad Harris: Fate Delivers Us, Chapter Seven
 
 

The plane ride had been uneventful. When they got to the airport, Eve and the girls stayed with the luggage while TC and Chad went to get the Mini-Van that they had rented.

" Coach Russell, I just wanted to thank you again, for the trip.", Chad said, as they drove back to the airport terminal.

" Chad. No need for thanks. It was MY idea. This will work out. You’ll see."

They get to the females, and put all the luggage in the car and drove. Chad listened as TC pointed out landmarks all over New Orleans.

They finally came upon a neighboorhood of large houses. Chad watched as TC went up to one, and buzzed the gate.

" It’s us, Mama."

Then, the gate opened. Though, it wasn’t a huge mansion like the Cranes, Chad was impressed by the size. The circular driveway went past a fountain and huge trees.  You couldn’t see how large the house was from the outside.

TC stopped at the front, and everyone got out. As soon as they were at the bottom of the stairs, the door opened, and an elegant woman floated outside, Chad thought.

" Theodore!", she called out.

TC walked to his mother, and gave her a big hug.

" Eve."

" Mother Russell.", Eve replied, and exchanged kisses on both cheeks.

" Well, well. My beautiful granddaughters." , She opened her arms and Whitney and Simone both rushed in to receive their hug. She kissed them both, and held their faces in her hands for moment to see that they were really ok.

She walked up to Chad. " And, who is this young man?"

" Mama. This is Chad. The fellow that I told you we were helping. "

" Ah, yes. You have certain ‘issues’ that need to be settled." She extended her hand. " Welcome to my home. I’m Madelaine DeLonge Russell."

" Nice to meet you, Mrs. Russell. Chad Harris. Thank you for having me.", Chad says as he shakes her hand.

" A solid handshake. I like that. Don’t I, Theodore?", Mrs. Russell calls out.

" Yes, Mama. You do."

Looking towards the house, she motions for them to come inside. " TC, you can get the luggage later. You know who’s been looking forward to this visit as much as I."

They go into the house, and find themselves in the Sun Room. The old woman, who had been doing some needlepoint, looks up at the sight in the entrance of the room, and smiles.

" Theordore. You’ve come home."

" Yes, Miz Piccola. I’m here for a visit."

" Well, you get yourself over her and give Piccola a hug."

TC does as he’s told, and kisses Piccola and they smile.

" Well, Eve, I can see that you’re taking good care of him."

Eve smiles. " I’m trying Miz Piccola."

" Whitney? Simone? Get over here and give Piccola some sugar."

Whitney and Simone do as they’re told.  She brings her hands up to Whitney’s hips. " Chile’, why are they starving you?"

Whitney blushes. " Mis Piccola, I’m an athlete. I’m not starving."

" Girl, you ain’t got no curves. You are starving. Piccola will see to it that you eat proper when you’re down here."  Whitney was about to say something when Eve raised her eyebrow, and Whitney kept silent. Piccola then shifted her attention to Simone. " Chile’ you ain’t got that much more meat on your bones than Whitney. But, I’ll take care of you too."

Piccola notices the newcomer at the entrance. " And, who are you, young man."

TC was about to speak when Piccola lifted her hand in warning against it. " Well?"

Chad walks up to her an extends his hand. " I’m Chad Harris, M’am. "

She takes his hand. " Well, Mr. Harris, I’m Piccola DuPree. "

" Piccola has been with this family, well…", Madelaine says.

" I don’t mind a reference to my age. I’ve earned these years. I began working for this family three weeks before Madelaine made her debut into the world. Hasn’t been anything in this family since that day, that I haven’t seen. "

" Miz Piccola helped my grandmother with my mother, and then, when I was born, she stayed with us, until my father passed away and my mother moved back here.", TC explains.

" Enough about me. How about you Mr. Harris? Would you like some tea?"

Chad relaxed a little. " Yes, M’am’."

" Well, then, you sit down here, with me, and we’ll have some tea and lemon cake. Simone, Whitney, nothing’s changed since you were last here. Go fetch Miz Piccola and Chad some tea and cake. TC, Eve, I’m sure you have to get the luggage in, and rest a spell. We’ve got a wonderful dinner planned."

Simone, Whitney, TC, Eve and Madelaine all knew what was happening, but, they left in silence, leaving Chad with Piccola.

Chad wasn’t exactly comfortable, so, he walked around, and looked out the glass wall.

" This is a beautiful home."

" It was bought by Madelaine’s parents a year before she was born. Negroes were not allowed to buy in this part of town, but, since Madelaine’s parents were Creole and light enough, they were able to fool the real estate broker. They built the wall and fence, just in case their neighbors didn’t want to be as friendly as they should, and they would have enough security to possibly defend themselves."

" Oh." , Chad said. " What did they do?"

" Who, dear?"

" Her parents. How could they afford this, even back then?"

" They owned a restaurant and pharmacy. Their restaurant, which Madelaine still runs to this day, was popular in all quarters of New Orleans Society: Negro, White, Creole. The food is magnificent, and the service unparalleled. The pharmacy was only one of three in the entire city that serviced the Negro population."

Chad had come down to sit with her. " Um, we’re African-Americans now, Miz Piccola."

" A rose by any name, my dear boy."

Whitney comes into the room, carrying a silver service tray, with the tea and cake. She cuts them both pieces of cake and pours the tea. Without saying anything, she leaves, but, Piccola notices Chad following Whitney with his eyes, til she leaves the room.

" So, you are fond of Whitney?"

Chad nearly choked on his tea. " Excuse me?"

" I’m asking you if you have intentions towards Whitney?"

" Um….I don’t know."

" Nonsense, my boy. Men haven’t changed since we were ‘Negroes’. It’s a simple question: do you have intentions towards Whitney? A lack of response indicates things about character that are not favorable."

Chad gulped as he looked at the old woman. Her eyes were like steel. Unlike most people, who beat around the bush, and let him doubletalk, or ‘put on a song’, she doesn’t want to hear it. If he’s afraid, he’ll have to do it on someone else’s time.

" Yes, M’am, I am interested in Whitney."

" How interested?"

" I believe she’s beautiful, and challenging and the most frustrating girl that I’ve ever met. She doesn’t know what she wants, and doesn’t know her feelings most of all, which makes me, even if I did have intentions, look foolish for going after someone like that, doesn’t it?"

Piccola laughed. " Foolish, it may be, but, men wouldn’t be men, if they didn’t go on ‘foolish causes’. "

Chad felt himself finally able to breathe again.

" Mr. Harris, there’s nothing wrong with a woman frustrating a man. She’s supposed to. Men are fickle creatures who bore easily. A woman who isn’t complicated, or has an air of mystery about her, won’t keep a man. If I’ve seen it once, I’ve seen it a thousand times. Whitney is frustrating, but, YOU’re still around, correct?"

Chad nodded.

" So, everything man/woman wise, is going right on track. But, enough about your romantic life, why did you come here, Mr. Harris?"

" I’m looking for my biological parents. I haven’t had much luck in trying to find them.  I have this Medallion.", Chad takes it out of his pocket and hands it to her. "And, in doing some research, someone found out that a professor at Dillard thinks that he can tell me about it. It’s the only concrete clue that I have possibly about my parents."

" So, you’re not worried about what you’ll find, at the end of the journey for your parents?"

" Concerned?"

" What are your expectations?"

" I don’t know if I have any. I have so many questions about  myself that have no answers. I suppose I’m hoping that in finding my parents, I can begin to answer them, and fill the holes in my heart. "

" What if that’s not the case? What if your parents never wanted you to find them? Don’t want you to intrude upon their lives?"

" INTRUDE? I didn’t ask to be born, Lady! But, I was. And, they OWE me. They OWE me some basic answers. I’m sorry if they have ‘picture perfect ‘ life now. But, I exist, and DAMMIT! SOMEBODY is going to acknowledge me!" Chad was furious. His heart was pounding loudly in his chest. He could feel the rage inside of him. He realized how loud his voice had gotten, because Simone was peeking through the door, to see if she could come in.

Piccola waved her hand at Simone, telling her to leave. She then, took Chad’s hand.

" I’m sorry I upset you, Mr. Harris. Some call me a busybody. I just call myself concerned. These folks are ever bit my family as anyone I share blood with. You are around them, I had to ask questions. I’ve been around longer than you have, Mr. Harris. I’ve seen just about all there is to see with the human condition. I asked you those questions, because you have to know for yourself, if this is what you want to do. And, if you’ll ready for it. No offense was meant."

Chad smiled slightly. " None was taken."

" Well, I think it’s time that you went to wash up for dinner. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Harris."

Chad left out of the room, and in a few minutes, Madelaine came in.

" They’re all upstairs, getting ready for dinner."

" Is it ready?"

" Yes, I did the final check before I came in here. And, Simone set a beautiful table. Don’t you think that they all look well. I mean, I agree with you about the children being.."

" Madelaine, stop rambling."

" Ok. What does he want?"

" He wants the truth, and Whitney. In that order."

" Oh God.", Madelaine says as turns to face Piccola.