| |
BRIDGETTE WOKE UP WITH the sun shining through her bedroom curtains. After yesterday, she was surprised she slept as soundly as she did. She stretched under the covers before getting up.
She peeked out her bedroom window and took in the gorgeous morning. The sky was a brilliant blue and the sun shone brightly with its rays filtering through the ancient oak trees that surrounded the property. It reminded her of delicate lace draped across the grounds. Even the bayou looked calm and peaceful this morning.
Ruefully shaking her head, she walked over to her desk and opened her laptop. She may as well see how many emails she had to answer before starting her day. As she scrolled through the list, a smile formed on her face. Her cohort in crime had sent her an email, or more specifically her best friend, Haley Garrison.
“I did not want to call or text you yesterday. I knew you had enough on your mind, but I did want to check up on you and make sure you are doing okay sweetie. Please remember if you need anything at all, I am here for you.
Don’t be a stranger.
Lots of Love,
Haley”
Bridgette replied,
“It was so good to hear from you. I miss you so much, woman. I am doing so-so, but I am hanging in there. I still can’t believe they are gone.
But enough sadness, I need to get out of this slump I am in.
Love you to pieces,
Bridgette”
The email helped lighten the dark mood that hung over Bridgette. She walked into the kitchen to find Delores already busy at work. Delores had worked as the housekeeper here at the plantation for as long as Bridgette could remember.
She poured herself a cup of coffee and took a seat at the bar. “Bonjour. Good morning Delores.”
The faint lines around her eyes crinkled at the corners and Delores sighed. “Bonjour, Bridgette. I understand you had a bad day yesterday. You should have called; I would have come over and helped you.”
Bridgette shook her head, “You help me out too much as it is and yesterday was just as bad for you as it was for me.”
Bridgette saw the tears form in Delores’s eyes, “Mais, your parents meant so much to me. I am going to miss them dearly.”
“I keep waiting for Mom to pop in any minute, asking me what I am up to now.”
Delores wiped her hands on her apron, “This is getting us nowhere. I made you some hot biscuits and sausage gravy to go with it. You are getting too thin pauve ti bête. If you don’t take care of yourself, you are going to waste away.”
Bridgette let out a laugh as Delores set a piping hot plate of biscuits and gravy in front of her. Her mouth watered just looking at it, “You did not have to cook me anything. I would have been happy with a piece of toast.”
“Mais, as if. You need some meat on your bones cher, and I am not the only one who thinks so.”
As Bridgette took a bite of the biscuit covered with the sausage gravy, she raised an eyebrow, “What does that mean?”
Delores pointed to the dining room, “Sha bebe, you should see all the food left at your doorstep this morning. Mais, no one must have wanted to wake you this early and left it by the door.”
Bridgette looked at all the food and gasped, “Mais, what am I going to do with all this food?”
Delores snickered, “You best start eating.”