Although I was desperate to see Aunt Delphine and Uncle Antoine, I was afraid they might be angry with me. I had gotten so caught up with the Icebreaker thing, I hadn’t bothered to think about the danger. Serious crime wasn’t a fact of my life. Only kids who stole a pack of gum and ran away laughing. Movies. Cartoons. Action figures. Kaboom. Pow. That was my speed.
My great-aunt and -uncle in a hospital. The silent terror in Belle’s and Nestor’s eyes. My raw, throbbing wrists. These were real.
Belle ran ahead. “Oh, Miz St. Pierre. I was so scared for you and the mister.”
She burst into tears. “F’true, I thought I’d never see y’all again. F’sure, I thought I’d never see anybody else neither.”
“We’re going to be fine real soon.” Uncle Antoine smiled.
“We’ll be back at home in a few days.” Aunt Delphine took Belle’s hand in hers. “I’m so glad to see you. Did they hurt you?”
“No. The only one hurt is Phil. And we all know how that happened.” She rolled her eyes.
I stood in the doorway, hiding behind Nestor. Hoping to be invisible, I suppose.
“Phil, my boo. Let me see you.” Aunt Delphine extended her arms. “Give me a hug.” Aunt Delphine gasped when she saw my bandages. “Does it hurt very much?”
“It hurts a lot. But I can take it.”
“Oh, dear.”
Aunt Delphine turned to Nestor. “And what about you? Are you hurt?”
“No, ma’am. Just a little chafed skin. Like Belle.”
“Let’s give thanks that we’re all here now. That was an experience no one should ever go through. I’m sorry you boys got mixed up in this,” Uncle Antoine said.
“I spoke with my sister before you came,” Aunt Delphine said. “I know your parents want you on that train tonight, but please come back soon for a proper visit.”
“Aunt Delphine, I’m so sorry how this all turned out. I was supposed to make things better by coming here. Make you proud of me. Instead…”
“I am so very proud that you are smart and brave.”
Belle rolled her eyes. Again.
“But—“
“Truth is, we don’t know how things would have turned out if you boys hadn’t arrived when you did. If you hadn’t met that kind-hearted girl and that concerned waitress, this story may have had a tragic ending,” Uncle Antoine said. “I’m delighted to have you as my great-nephew.”
“And it goes without saying that I feel the same way,” Aunt Delphine added.
“And I,” Uncle Antoine added, “am overjoyed that you cared enough to stay. Cared enough to concoct that marvelous plan. Cared enough to find us.”
“Really?” This wasn’t the reaction I had expected. But hey.
“As a matter of fact, in my younger days, I most certainly would have conspired to do the same. I would have been your willing accomplice.”
“I was willing. Most of the time,” Nestor felt the need to remind me.
“My dear Antoine,” Aunt Delphine said, “perhaps it would be prudent to add a word of warning along with the encouragement and praise.”
“Yes, yes. Your aunt is correct. Next time, please do involve the police. An adventure is only an adventure if you live to tell about it. Otherwise, it’s another sad story on the morning news.”
When he puts it that way….
“Aunt Delphine, can I ask you something?”
“This sounds serious.”
“What caused the argument between you and my grandmother?”
“In retrospect, we all overreacted. It was a minor point of contention that could have been resolved if we had only made the effort to communicate. Instead, we slammed the door shut, consumed with rancor and rage. Some things should remain in the past. Let’s not give wings to our terrible mistake. Better to keep it locked away.”
“I’m so glad we saved you,” I said.
“And so am I, believe me.” Aunt Delphine held out her arms to Nestor. “I owe you a hug, too. I’m well aware that you and Phil did this together. You’re a hero, too.”
Nestor rushed to Aunt Delphine’s bedside. He didn’t even wipe it away when she planted a kiss on his cheek. “Am I invited back, too?” He was smiling from ear to ear.
“It would be my pleasure,” Aunt Delphine answered.
Nestor walked to Uncle Antoine’s bedside and shook his hand. “Yes, yes, by all means, come back.”
“I think I need to say sorry to the young Phil,” Belle said. “My head was filled with so much gumbo ya-ya that I didn’t see him for the blessin’ he is.”
“I guess I was kind of dumb,” I said.
“Yeah, you dumb. But you got the job done. One way or th’ other.”
Detective DeBlanc came in. “Sorry, boys. We’ve got to get going. I need your statements. And, you’ve got a train to catch.”
“But I don’t want to leave.” I felt emotional.
“I don’t want to go either,” Nestor said.
“Say your goodbyes. I’ll wait outside. Y’all got two minutes.”