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

Simone came into Whitney's room and closed the door.

" Chad got upset. Really upset with Miz Piccola."

" Why? What was it about?"

" I don't know. I couldn't really hear it. What do you think they talked about?"

Whitney shrugged her shoulders. " I bet she was just asking Chad about his life. His family."

" I don't see why it's any of Miz Piccola's business.", Simone pouts.

" Because, she loves us, and wants to protect us, like Mom, Dad and Grandmere."

" You think Chad will leave?"

Whitney thought about it, and she didn't know why Simone mentioning Chad leaving made her panic. " No. Chad's here to talk to the professor. He won't leave before then. Come on, Simone. It's dinner time."

Simone and Whitney leave.

Chad meets them at the staircase. " You know, this is one fly home. It's beautiful."

" If you want, Chad, I'll give you a tour. I think I probably know every piece in Grandmere's home.", Simone said.

" I'd like that, Simone." Simone smiled while Whitney grimaced. They walked into the family dining room, and Chad went where Madelaine motioned him to go. The table was set with what anyone else would consider formal china, but, for Madelaine Russell, this was her regular china for family dinners like this.

Once everyone was at the table, Madelaine spoke up.

" Theodore, would you like to say Grace?"

TC obliged with a prayer, and when it was all done, Madelaine spoke again.

" Chad, have you ever had Creole cooking?"

" Well, I went to a place in L.A. once that said they specialized in Creole. But, it didn't smell anything like this."

Madelaine laughed. " No. Authentic Creole cooking is not as easy as it might look. I hope you enjoy these simple dishes."

TC chuckled at his mother's last line. If there was something that her mother took seriously, it was her cooking. It wasn't just her line of work, it was a part of her. Cooking was an expression of her very being. Nothing went on her table, unless it passed her horrifically high standards. The bowl of rice was already seated before them, and then,  the tureen with the gumbo was passed around. Chad couldn't believe all the flavors in the 'soup'. Madelaine noticed.

" You like, Chad?"

" It's delicious. I've never eaten anything quite like this. "

"Mama's famous for her gumbo. It's a meal unto itself for some."

" I can understand why.", Chad said as he began his second bowl.

Once they had finished with the gumbo, they went onto other specialties: crawfish, blackened catfish, and three vegetable dishes.

As they were eating dessert, Madelaine informed them,

" After church tomorrow, we will brunch at Brennan's." It was a statement of fact, with no room for conflict. Chad observed Madelaine Russell. She commanded respect from every pore of her being. Her raspy voice sounded like it contained reinforced steel with every syllable that poured forth. She would never be denied, and he didn't want to be in the room when someone tried.

Whitney and Simone smiled at that piece of information. " Bananas Foster, here I come!" , Simone said.

" Mama, you're not at your restaurant on Sunday?"

" Well, I have events planned for the next Sunday that you are here, and, I know how much you enjoy Brennan's Brunch. It was tomorrow or never."

" Thank you, Mother Russell. I'm sure we'll enjoy it."

" You're welcome, Eve."
 

After dinner, everyone went back upstairs. Chad opened his bedroom door to find a box on it. TC happened to be walking by.

" Hey, Coach Russell. What's this?", Chad said, pointing to the box.

" If I know my mother, it's probably a couple of pairs of slacks, ties, jackets and shirts."

" Excuse me?"

" My mother expects you to join us tomorrow, Chad, for church and brunch at Brennan's. You will have to be dressed appropriately."

" How did she know my size? How did she do all this?"

" A) My mother just knows. B) There isn't much my mother can't get with a phone call in this town. She knows everyone."

"Ok. Thanks."

" Chad, " TC says as he comes into the room and closes the door halfway behind him. " I want you to know that I'm so happy that you came. I think that this trip will work out well for you. You'll find something out that's useful. I know you will."

" Coach, why are you helping me?"

" I don't know why, other than I feel a need to. "

" I…I just wanted you to know that I really appreciate this. I ain't never had anyone put themselves out for me like you have. It means a lot to me." Chad puts his hand out to shake TC, but, he grabs Chad into a hug. Chad was shocked, because he wasn't used to expressing himself in that way.

Eve observed this tender moment between Chad and TC and grimaced. Despite her best wishes, she still couldn't shake the feeling that Chad Harris was trouble.

" Chad, you want to go downstairs and look at my mother's record collection. If I do say so, my mother has exquisite taste in music. I think you will love it."

" Sure, Coach.", and they go downstairs to Madelaine's music room.
 
 

Eve went into her and TC's bedroom. She loved this room, because it was one of  handful that had its own balcony. She loved to sit outside and listen to the noises of New Orleans. Sometime, if things were especially quiet, she could hear the music coming from Bourbon Street. But, even if the neighborhood was noisy, even the noise in New Orleans was harmonious. Eve was so lost in listening to her surroundings that she didn't hear Madelaine come in.

" Eve?"

Eve sat up in the chair. " Mother Russell. I didn't hear you come in."

" That much is obvious. May I sit?"

" Of course."
Madelaine stays silent for a few moments, and then begins. " Chad Harris is a very interesting young man."

" I suppose so."

" But, I'll be honest, Eve. He's nearly a complete stranger, and you brought him on a family trip?"

" Me? I didn't want him here!"

" Then, who did?"

" TC."

" Theodore? Why?"

" I don't know why. TC feels some 'bond' with Chad. He's very possessive of Chad, and I don't understand. "

" Why would you want a boy like that around your daughters? He has no family. No roots. I would have thought that you would only want to protect your daughters from that kind of rootlessness. After all, it's not like Whitney and Simone have benefited from any exposure to 'your' family."

Direct hit. " My family is dead,  Mother Russell. "

" I know, Eve. And, it's unfortunate, because I'm sure that they could have benefited from their attention. Heaven knows that I've tried to do my part, to make sure that the girls have 'roots', and know from whence they come. Someone who knows where they come from, cannot be deterred or delayed from getting to where they ought to be. Too many of our people, especially the young people, are wandering in search of something, because they don't know their history. Because, they don't know their roots and are trusting others to give them their sense of self. I never wanted Whitney and Simone to be without that. "

" And, I do?"

" Well, I would hope not, Eve. I would 'hope' that your daughter's well-being would be paramount in your mind right now. These are difficult times for young women. Whitney and Simone are at a crossroads. The choices that they make these next few years will determine the outcomes of their lives. If they were to make the wrong choices….", Madelaine let that sit in the air.

" I know my daughters, Mother Russell. Simone and Whitney are strong girls with a deep sense of right and wrong. "

" Well, I know that Theodore has been devoted to their upbringing."

Eve looked at her mother-in-law and counted to ten in her mind. The relationship between the two women ebbed and flowed. There were very pleasant periods, and, then, Madelaine Russell would slip out for 'private' conversations between the two of them. Her mother-in-law's eyes were like ice, when they stared at you, and Eve had wondered if Madelaine knew the truth about her past. If she did, she had never said anything. Eve never let her guard down around Madelaine or Piccola, who was Madelaine's second pair of eyes. Both the older women unnerved Eve, but, she knew that she had to play it very close to the vest, because TC was completely devoted to his mother, and if Madelaine had ever expressed serious suspicions about Eve, Eve knew that TC would begin to doubt her, and ask questions.

" We BOTH have been dedicated to OUR daughter's upbringing. My family has always been my priority, mainly BECAUSE of the tragedy that affected my own family."

Madelaine smiled at Eve. " Of course, Dear. I didn't mean any insult. I know you love your family, Eve. I am just concerned. What kind of a grandmother would I be if I didn't bring up certain 'difficult' issues?"

Eve nodded. " I know you love the family, Mother Russell. "

" Well, enough of this talk. You all are here for a family visit. So, I'll see you tomorrow morning for church."

Madelaine got up and went over to Eve and kissed her on the cheek, and left.
 

The house was quiet, and everyone was in their bed, when Piccola heard a knock on her door.

" Come in."

Madelaine opened the door, carrying a tea set for one.

" Here's your nightly tea." She placed it on Piccola's nightstand for her to drink throughout the night.

Madelaine sat on the edge of  Piccola's bed.

" Did you learn anything?", Piccola asked.

" I know that Eve doesn't share Theodore's commitment to Chad."

" That could be useful, down the road."

" I know."

" Madelaine, you must begin to prepare for the worst case scenario. There might come a time where we might have to separate."

" What?"

" You can only control this situation directly. What are you willing to do to protect your family?"

" Anything. I'm willing to do anything."