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Justin didn’t speak, hoping the moment would pass, but Alphé’s grief was palpable. It would have been cruel to ignore it.
“Alphé, I’m so sorry,” Justin said. Then to the women, “Alphé’s brother was killed out to sea in a fishing accident.”
“Oh my god, Alphé, I’m so sorry,” Katrina said.
“Me too, Alphé,” Maggie said. “It’s so sad.”
“Thanks. No one ever wants to talk about it, and we want to talk about him all the time. It’s almost a pleasure when I meet someone new and get to talk about Rodney. The first thing my mother says when she meets someone is, ‘I have two sons, but one died,’ hoping they’ll ask about him so she can speak his name and tell the story.”
“I’m so sheltered,” Maggie said. “I lost my dad and that was bad enough. I can’t imagine losing a kid.”
“No, me either,” Katrina said. “Alphé, you tell us about Rod. Talk about him all you want.”
He chuckled. “I’m good. Thank you for letting me say his name.”
He’d tell Katrina later, the devastation of not being quick enough or strong enough to cut Rodney loose from the nets. Rodney was his parents’ favorite, the baby of the family, the star athlete who passed up a full paid track scholarship to LSU, which he ignored, wanting what they all wanted, and that was to fish. After Rod’s death, his father’s rapid downfall, daily watching him fail after Rodney’s horrible funeral and, later, dropping dead right in front of his wife with a massive heart attack.
But now on the porch on Twelfth Night, they ate the food while band members took their places, tuning their instruments, preparing for a night of dancing. They all got along; the difference in education didn’t matter at all. If Alphé had more time, he’d attempt to socialize with this group, but he’d never have more time.
“Let me take your plates,” Maggie said. “It’s time for dancing.”
“Now the party really begins,” Justin said.
Back in the tent, the party had already gotten underway, with couples on the dance floor, showing their best moves.
“You ready for this?” Alphé asked. “It’s the one thing I can do, lead you on the dance floor.”
Slipping into his arms, she nodded. “I’m ready to be led astray,” she said. “Is that what you have in mind?”
“I do, but secretively. Let’s see how good I can do.”
After about an hour of the closeness of their bodies and the desire that was building steadily, Alphé said the words. “Pack a bag, please. Come home with me.”
She looked into his eyes and nodded. “Wait on the dock,” she said. “People will ask too many questions. I’ll say goodbye to Maggie.”
They parted ways outside the tent, Alphé going to the dock and Katrina into the cottage for her things.
“Mags, Alphé and I are headed out. I’m not coming home tonight.”
“Okay, sweetie, have fun. Stay in touch. I’m dying, you know, but I’ll try not to sneak up on you.”
They grabbed hands and barked out laughing.
She ran by the tent before anyone questioned where she was going. Alphé was waiting for her, anticipation all over his face. Grabbing her bags, he helped her down into the dinghy.
“We need to run into the department store in Saint John’s Parish for a few things.”
“Really? It’s kind of late.”
She figured they were going to a hotel somewhere. Maybe he needed condoms.
“The store stays open all night,” he said.
“What do you need?”
“I’ll be living on my boat.”
“Oh! How cool!”
