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chosen from among good middle-class families and
each given only a small chest containing various
articles of clothing, and sent over to become wives for
the Frenchmen settling the area. They didn't have all
that much more than you're carrying in your small
bag," he added.
"However," he continued, "the Dumas family
history isn't filled only with reputable and highly
prized things. We had ancestors who once owned and
operated one of the elegant gambling houses and even
made money on the bordellos in Storyville. Daphne's
family has the same sort of past, but she isn't as eager
to own up to it," he said.
He rubbed his hands together and stood up. "Well, we'll have plenty of time to talk about all
this. I promise. Right now, I imagine you're tired.
You'd like a bath and a chance to relax and go to
sleep. In the morning, you can begin your new life,
one tha
t I hope will be wonderful for you. May I kiss
you and welcome you to what will become your new
home and family," he asked.
"Yes," I said and closed my eyes as he brought
his lips to my cheek.
My father's first kiss. . . how many times had I
dreamt about it, had I seen him in my dreams
approach my bed and lean down to kiss me good
night, the mysterious father of my paintings who
stepped off the canvas and pressed his lips to my
cheek and stroked my hair and drove away all the
demons that hover in the shadows of our hearts . . . the
