Ruby (Landry 1)

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