A Southern Tale of Forgiveness

By Brandi Morrison

Female twins Jolie and Tessandra Cormier were born in southern Louisiana in the year 1919. Jolie is born white like their mother, and Tessandra is born black like their father. The girls grow up to deal with racial issues in Lafayette Parish, starting at a very young age. Before they can finish high school, their parents are killed in a tragic accident, and Tessandra is forced to take over as sole provider to ensure their survival. She turns their parents' living room and kitchen into a salon as her client list quickly builds up while also taking a job as a Numbers Girl; for a local hustler. This allows Jolie to finish high school and pursue her dreams, but her life takes a detour one night when she is brutally raped by a white boy who felt tricked into dating a colored girl. Tessandra is prepared to defend her sister at all costs. After a gunshot goes off in the woods, the twins’ lives will never be the same.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brandi Morrison
• Release date: May 9, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458087522

Brandi Morrison

Brandi Lei Morrison began her passion for writing when she was introduced to the world of poetry as a young girl. In 2004, she received a degree in Drama and Communications from the University of New Orleans. Since taking fiction writing courses at the university, she has juggled with the idea of writing a book. A Southern Tale of Forgiveness is her first novel. Brandi Morrison currently lives in Louisiana.

Book preview

A Southern Tale of Forgiveness

By

Brandi Lei Morrison

A Southern Tale of Forgiveness

Brandi Morrison

Copyright 2011 by Brandi Morrison

Smashwords Edition

This is a book of fiction. The characters and their names, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or have been used fictitiously. If there happens to be any resemblance to actual events, places, persons, living or dead, it is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2011 by Brandi Lei Morrison

This book was printed in the United States.

All rights reserved.

ISBN-13: 978-1-4580-5628-3

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Without You, nothing is possible, not even this book.

The characters formally known in an earlier version as Coralie and Lilabee (Lily) are now known as Cora Lee and Libby Lee (Libee).

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I give thanks to:

David and Phillip and the entire team at ProLegal Copies, for supplying me with several copies of my manuscript for a great price and often for free! You helped me tremendously!

My cousin Marsha, for being a second pair of eyes and never sugar-coating what you thought about my work.

My cousin Olando, for also being a third pair of eyes and showing such enthusiasm when you received my manuscript in the mail.

Claire, for providing some editing services.

You shot it to me straight

Barbara, we’ve discussed some of my other work in progress, but I appreciate your general encouragement to pursue my dream as a writer.

Melanie, for being a super reader and providing general input. I know you’ll be a tough critic, but I hope this book leaves an impression.

Sylvia, for fussing at me when my progress began to slow down. Thanks for keeping me on track.

Laura, for your input, no matter how small or big it was. I hope this serves as a ‘good read’ for you.

Last, but certainly not least:

My husband for encouraging me to not give up. Thanks again for directing me to a great resource to try this out on my own.

My mother, Patricia, for always supporting me, especially financially with this book. I want a full page critique from you. I’ve waited long enough.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

1.

September 1919

The Southern Louisiana humidity granted no mercy during this month of September. The young twenty-five year old woman named Mitilda Cormier was seated slightly upright with her legs spread as far as she could manage. She gripped her knees tightly as her pale white face turned scarlet. She glistened with sweat and tears as the yells emerged from the depths of her soul. Her raven colored hair was matted to her scalp and the sides of her cheeks. The city was Lafayette, Louisiana and one of its residents, a black doctor from Kansas City, Missouri, Dr. R. Malveaux, had been sent for by one of the neighbors. Austin Cormier’s wife was in labor. The doctor rushed over to their home along with his assistant and wife, Renee. Austin and Mitilda lived in a medium sized, three bedroom house with a wooden front porch and black screen door. Now, Dr. Malveaux sat on a stool staring at the crown of a little brown head that had surfaced between the nervous white legs of Mitilda.

Push Mitilda! I see the head! He commanded.

Mitilda pushed hard and squealed once again. I can’t do this!

Ah, mais la Miti push. Her husband, Austin Cormier was a forty year old black man from the small town of Scott. They had met while they both worked as sharecroppers for the Johnston family. He was now grabbing his wife’s moist hand, trying all he could to get her to push. He wiped the sweat and tears from around his own dark almond eyes with his free hand. It was the couple’s second experience with childbirth since the stillbirth of their first child in 1912. They had prayed for this day when God would bless them with a second chance at having a child, and Austin knew his wife wouldn’t be able to bear another loss.

Just then the little caramel baby fully emerged, crying at the top of her lungs. Mitilda was panting heavily as she had used every ounce of energy she still had to smile upon her crying baby girl. She had done it. Dr. Malveaux handed the baby over to his wife, Renee. Renee had worked as her husband’s assistant for as long as he ran his practice. She gently cleansed the baby with a clean cloth, cradling the head and small form over a large ceramic white bowl. After she was done, she wrapped the bundle in a blanket and walked her over to the couple.

It’s a beautiful baby girl. Renee placed the baby into Austin’s hands. He was speechless. Several emotions came over him as he examined this tiny little creation. The baby’s dark eyes stared back at him and she waved her hands and feet as she cried softly. Her tiny head was covered in large raven curls. Austin pulled her into him and she automatically placed her head on the soft inside part of his neck as her cries began to cease.

Miltilda began to wail again. What’s happening?! She began to contract once again. Oh God! Qui c’est ca?

Another one is coming! Dr. Malveaux got back into position and was reaching in to grab for the second child.

Austin looked on in shock. He handed the first baby back to Renee and quickly went back to holding his wife’s hand. God brought back the one they lost, he thought.

Dr. Malveaux was just as shocked as the couple. He hadn’t been Miltilda’s doctor throughout the pregnancy, so he had no idea she was having twins. He saw the crown of a white head start to emerge. Wait a minute. Dr. Malveaux settled himself. Now, Mitilda, I need you to give me one good hard push.

Mitilda’s screams were heard several blocks down the road and well into the nearby neighborhoods. The baby came out fully, but there were no cries to be heard. There’s no crying. Mitilda searched the doctor’s face for answers. She turned to her husband who became weak from fear. Why isn’t she crying?! Mitilda could see it was another baby girl.

Dr. Malveaux smacked the infant on the rear leaving a slightly red mark. Nothing happened. Mitilda reached for her baby girl and turned her around to smack her again. The baby began to cry louder than the first. The infant wailed and moved about in her arms. Everyone in the room felt as if they could breathe again from relief.

Thank you Jesus. Austin looked towards the ceiling with tears in his eyes.

Renee handed the first baby to Mitilda. She cleaned off the second baby and handed her to the father. Mitilda was beyond joy. My angels! She looked back and forth from one to the other.

2.

Present Day 1962

The curved wine glass sat upon the polished wood counter next to some partially eaten steak and green beans. The small white lump of potatoes remained untouched. The red liquid swirled slightly in its host, as it had been placed back down once again. Tessandra Cormier had never stopped her ritual of having at least one glass of red wine a day. She stared at the rest of her meal and pushed it away. She learned over the years that it was better for her figure to push away at least some of her meal instead of devouring it all. She rose from her chair and moved over to the large mirror that was centered on the wall next to the kitchen. She admired her off-the-shoulder red form-fitting dress as it sat nicely on her caramel shoulders. Her makeup was flawless from the many years she spent in the mirror perfecting every stroke. Her dark raven hair fell like black waves washing over her shoulders as she moved. She puckered her ruby red lips as if to give her reflection a kiss.

Forty-three years old and I can still take on any little twenty-something. She turned slightly to admire her rear, before walking over to turn on her television. An old episode of Peter Gunn was on.

There was a knock on the door. Tessandra perked her hair up a bit with her hands before opening the door. In the doorway stood a tall, tanned-skin gentleman with sparkling emerald eyes and light brown curly hair. Tessandra stood and admired the young man with a smile as he stepped in and gave her a hug.

Aunt Tess, how have you been? Evander Cormier always made it a point to visit his aunt when he traveled to the downtown area of Lafayette.

Evander, my one and only nephew, you never let your auntie down, do you? Come and have a seat. She motioned over to her dining room table and cleared away her wine glass and meal.

Evander moved over to the table and placed his suit jacket over the arms of the chair before sitting. He tried his hardest to hold back the thoughts that troubled him as he noticed his aunt’s old red 1957 RCA Flip Top television set with its eight inch screen.

What’s the matter? Tessandra examined her nephew.

They have some cool newer models with much larger screens down at Marty’s. Evander knew he was treading on thin ice.

Tessandra gestured towards her television. "It works just fine to me, and I know you didn’t come all this way just to criticize my TV.

Huh?

Don’t ‘huh’ me. I practically raised you, boy. I know when something is up with you.

It’s my mom, Aunt Tess. You have to come and see her. Something is bothering her and she’s not herself. I don’t know what to do. I go back to the university in the fall and I fear leaving her.

Evander had been accepted into Xavier University in New Orleans and he made a point to always come home during his semester breaks. Tessandra was so proud of him getting into college and he always sent her letters to update her on his progress.

You don’t need to worry about your mother. You go back to school and make something of yourself, you hear me! Tessandra’s voice had risen as she got upset at the thought of him messing up his studies. You know how hard it was to get your little behind into that school and you are not leaving it until you are finished. She noticed the hurt in her nephew’s eyes and thought that her words may have been a little too harsh. I’m sorry, sweetie. I can be over-protective sometimes. She patted him on the back. What is your momma doing this time?

She won’t eat and she barely sleeps. She wakes up in the middle of the night screaming as if someone is attacking her. He composed himself. Aunt Tess, the other day, I caught her in the bathroom trying to cut herself? He fell silent.

After a long moment of silence between the two, Tessandra spoke.

It’s a shame that she and I have had a strained relationship for the past several years. We talk on the phone from time to time, but we don’t see each other as much as we used to. I took care of her when we were younger and I never stopped feeling like her guardian. I thought she wanted a little distance so she could feel like she was able to take care of herself, so I backed off. Tessandra drifted off into thoughts of why the relationship had become unsteady between her and Jolie.

What day is it? Tessandra suddenly asked, as if physically struck by the question.

What? What do you mean what day is it? I just told you that…

May 30th! How could I forget? Tessandra continued muttering to herself.

Aunt Tess, what are you talking about? What does that have to do with my mom trying to cut herself.

That’s why she did it, child. Tessandra looked away from her nephew. I’ll get some of my things together. She glanced back at him. Take me to her.

*

The two of them sat in silence as Evander drove towards his mother’s home on the southern side of town. Tessandra noticed that as they got farther away from her end of town, she saw less and less of people that resembled her. All she could see were blank white faces staring at her and her nephew as they drove through the city.

What is everyone’s problem? They don’t have anything to do but stare people down around here? Her nephew began to get irritated. Aunt Tess, you and momma need to move away from here. I plan on moving to the north after college. It’s not like this.

Evander, I have seen my share of the world and I’m not going to let any of these ignorant fools around here run me away from my home.

As Tessandra kept on ranting about the ignorance in their city, a rust-colored 1950s Ford pickup pulled up on the side of them and maintained the same speed as they cruised down the road. The driver, an old white male with a dirty beige hat and denim overalls, chewed on dip as he leaned outside of his window and spat out some of it. It got Evander’s attention.

Hey there boy. The man was eyeing Evander closely. Shouldn’t your passenger be driving you around? He began to chuckle, exposing two rows of yellowish teeth.

Mind your own business, Tessandra shot back before Evander could respond.

Aunt Tess, don’t provoke him, okay? He’s just a stupid old man.

What did you say to me, gal? The old man’s face tightened up. The already existing wrinkles multiplied across his facial canvas.

Gal? I ain’t nobody’s gal! You hear me? She shifted to face the driver.

You sure got a mouth on you. He spat again. I wonder how that pretty little face of yours would look hanging from the tree in my backyard.

Evander reached his hand over to his aunt’s knee to calm her down.

Now you listen up. She fiddled with her handbag.

Evander stopped dry as he saw the silver barrel in the corner of his eye pointing towards the roof of his Thunderbird.

Aunt Tess! Where did you get that?

Tessandra had whipped it out of her purse so fast that it startled both Evander and the old man. No one talks to me or my nephew like that! I will not hesitate…

Her last words were cut off when Evander quickly took advantage of an opening in the next lane and hurried down a nearby side road. He was breathing heavily as he sped through traffic. His aunt had turned to yell more obscenities towards the man in the pickup. In the distance, the old man’s arms could be seen waving around uncontrollably as Evander pulled off to the side of the road.

Yeah, that’s right! Go the other way. Don’t let me catch you. She jolted back to face forward again and got settled in her seat.

Please put that away, Aunt Tess, before you get us arrested.

She started to calm down, but her chest was still rising up and down rapidly. She quickly wiped away a tear that started to fall down her cheek. Tessandra never liked to show any sign of weakness.

Where did you get that gun?

This ole’ thing? Tessandra turned the old metal gun back and forth in her hand before sliding it back into her black purse. It’s not even loaded. She looked out of the window. She could feel her nephew’s eyes still upon her. Don’t tell your momma what I did, alright? I’ve been carrying it around since before I was your age.

What happened that would make you feel you had…

She cut him off abruptly. Let’s just leave it at that, alright?

The dark blue Buick was filled with silence as they drove towards their destination. Tessandra reached out to touch her nephew’s leg.

I won’t tell my momma. Evander responded.

Evander looked into the face of his aunt for the first time since she had whipped out the unloaded gun. He saw in her eyes what he had never seen before. He saw hurt.

3.

Jolie Cormier’s house was a pale light blue color and trimmed in ivory. It sat peacefully on a freshly cut lawn. The rectangular flowerbeds sat directly under the two larger bedroom windows on the left side. It was easy to see that they hadn’t been watered in a while. The main structure on the front lawn beside the flowerbeds was the large magnolia tree that shaded most of that side. It stood erect with small and large mushroom tops sprouting out not too far from its base. The home consisted of a total of three bedrooms and two bathrooms. It had a simple beige interior with intermingling neutrals throughout the living room and bedrooms. The one burgundy wall with the clock in the kitchen drew attention away from the rest of the home.

It was around three in the afternoon and Jolie Cormier sat up in her bed. Her food tray sat over her lap and it held a plate of untouched meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and corn. The glass of milk that sat next to it was half empty. Her dark colored hair was a bird’s nest atop her head and her face was bare. Her dark eyes drooped above bags that had formed from lack of sleep. Her white skin was extremely pale. She had not gone out into the daylight for days now.

Jewels! Tessandra searched through her sister’s home. Tessandra had nicknamed her sister ever since they were kids when Jolie would play dress-up by wearing their mother’s jewels.

Tessie, Jolie muttered to herself as her body showed slight signs of life.

Tessandra appeared at the doorway of her bedroom. Jewels… Tessandra could not believe her eyes. She gathered up all the inner strength she could to keep herself together. She had to be there for her sister. Every year around this time, just like clockwork, her sister would get severely depressed and both women knew why. However, Tessandra had never seen it affect Jolie like this before.

Well, she moved over to the bed, you look like hell. She patted the mess of hair on top of Jolie’s head and let out a slight chuckle. Jolie’s efforts to prevent herself from laughing were unsuccessful.

However, it only took a few moments for the humor to fade between the twins, because this situation was serious.

Why are you doing this again, Jewels?

Jolie turned