Ruby (Landry 1)

condescended to gaze at my skirt and blouse once

more.

"It is homemade. Grandmere Catherine made

both the skirt and blouse."

"See," she said, turning back to Beau. He

nodded and saw how I was fuming.

"I'd better go fetch your parents."

"Beau Andreas, if you leave this house without

taking me to the Mardi Gras Ball . . ."

"I promise we'll go after this is straightened

out," he said.

"It will never be straightened out. It's a horrible,

horrible joke. Why don't you get out of here!" she

screamed at me. "How can you send her away?" Beau

demanded.

"Oh, you're a monster, Beau Andreas. A

monster to do this to me," she cried, and ran back to

the stairway.

"Gisselle!"

"I'm sorry," I said. "I told you I shouldn't have

come in. I didn't mean to ruin your evening." He looked at me a moment and then shook his

head.

"How can she blame me? Look," he said, "just

go into the living room and make yourself

comfortable. I know where Pierre and Daphne are. It

won't take but a few minutes and they'll come here to

see you. Don't worry about Gisselle," he said, backing

up. "Just wait in the living room." He turned and

hurried out, leaving me alone, never feeling more like

a stranger. Could I ever call this house my home? I