Tarnished Gold (Landry 5)

Mama in her wisdom saw me moping about the

grounds, drifting rather than walking along the banks

of the canals, and knew what was making me pale and

wan. Often she had to say something to me twice

because I didn't hear her the first time; I was too lost

in my own thoughts. I played with my food and stared

blankly while she and Daddy talked and argued at the

dinner table. Mama said I was losing weight, too. She tried to keep me busy, giving me more to

do, filling my every quiet moment with another chore,

but it took me double the time to do anything, which

only exasperated her more.

"You're like a lovesick duck, Gabriel," she told

me one afternoon. "Get hold of yourself before you

fade away or get blown off in of our famous twisters,

hear?"

"Yes, Mama."

She sighed, troubled for me.

But I couldn't just forget Pierre. Whenever

Daddy talked about a new booking for a hunting tour,

I would listen keenly to see if it was the Dumas

family; but it never was. Finally one day I went down

to the dock where he was preparing for another trip

and asked him.

"I thought that rich man from New Orleans was

returning, Daddy. His son told me his father thought

you were a wonderful swamp guide."

"Rich family? Oh, you mean Dumas? OW, he

was supposed to be back, but he canceled on me two

days ago. You can't depend on them people. They lie

to your face, smiling. My motto is, take whatever I