Tiana (More Than a Story Book 1)

THE GUMBO POT

"Why did I have to come again?" Naveen asked annoyed.

"Because Mama Ode makes the BEST apple pie in the world and I want you to try it. Plus Louis will be there." Charlotte mused

"Oh yeah." He mumbled under his breath.

We reached the quiet little shop of random treasures that was themed like a old tree house.   The store was called "The Gumbo Pot."

"Mama Ode." I called out. I didn't get a answer right away.

"Hey ya'll." Louis came up behind us. "Mama is in the back. Shes not open today till later cause of morning service." I nodded my head.

Charlotte snorted,  "Thank goodness for evening service or I would miss church all together."

"You really should try to come to both." We all turned around and saw a heavy set, blind old lady emerging from the back room. "We should never get too busy for the Good Lord."

Me and Charlotte gave her a hug at the same time and she wrapped her arms around both of us."Hi Mama Ode." We sang together.

"Hey babies." She laughed. We heard a hissing sound coming from behind the counter. "VODO! Come over here and give mama some love." Her pet snake seemed to understand her command and made his way over to her. She caressed his slimy scales and I tried to hid my look of disgust. I hated snakes.

"What you babies come here fo'? Y'all looking for something to buy in my shop?" She laughed to herself.

"We came by for some apple pie Gran." Since she was Louis's grandmother, we sometimes call her Gran or Ma for short.

"And, I want you to meet my boyfriend, Naveen." Lotte yanked him closer to Ma so she could touch him and smell his sent. (That was her way of getting to know new people.)

"Come here baby, I'm not gon' bit cha." She gave her cane to Louis, thens ran her hand up and down Naveen's arms, even touching his hair.  "Ohhhh Charlotte, he feels like he's strong, and he's got that good hair. Must be foreign." She said sounding amused. "Were you from baby?"

"Im from Maldonia." He sounded so awkward, like he didn't know how to act as some old blind woman  groped his body.

Mama Ode laughed a little and started to squeeze his hands, sizing them up. "Your that prince I heard about on TV. Ooo, honey I can tell you royal just by the way your hands feel." She stopped suddenly. "Hold on." She let go of his hands and grabbed her cane out of Louis's grasp.

"Which one of ya'll naughty children has been messing around with the shadow man?"

Me, Naveen and Louis's eyes got wide. Charlotte just looked confused.

"Dr. Facilier? No one Ma. What makes you think that."

Despite her age and the fact that she couldn't see, Mama Ode was extremely wise and had the ability to sense things without anyone telling her. She made a clicking sound with her tongue. "Lotte baby, go cut us some apple pie please? I think I want a slice before morning' service."

"Yes Gran." She turned to go do as Mama Ode asked.

Gran asked Louis to get her a chair and he helped her sit down. "Well one of ya'll best get to talking. Lotte's only gon' be gone so long."

We all looked at eachother. "Its all my fault Mama Ode." Naveen stepped up to her. "I made Louis and our friend Ray vandalize Dr. Facilier's house." Louis mouthed to him 'Man, You a snitch' but Naveen just shrugged. " We made a deal with him to help out at his school
so he wouldn't call the police. "

Mama Ode made a disapproving noise. "I'm not surprised that y'all did such a foolish thing but thats not what I mean sugar." Just then Lotte peeked her head back into the room.

"Louis, where are the paper plates?"

"Where they always are, second drawer on the left." He answered.

"I checked there already, all I found is this...thing." She held up a jar full of red liquid and things floating around in it.

"Oh that might be my secret ingredient to my chile hon. Keep looking and you'll find it."

"Okay." She left the room again.

We turned back to Mama Ode. "Im just warning you baby I used to be caught up in that business back in the day myself, and I know what it feels like to be followed by spirits. And trust me, there's a couple of 'em followin' you right now."

Naveen's warm brown skin turned pale. I gave Louis a worried look. He grabbed Ma by the shoulder. "Mama, do you know what it is they want?"

Gran shook her head. "Not sure, but it's nothing good. Most likely to get Naveen alone somewhere."

"Im back y'all." Lotte bounced into the room balancing 2 plates on her both arms and one on her head.

I quickly came and took the plate off her head and 2 from her left arm. "Girl! Where did you learn to carry plates like that?"

"From you." She giggled. I just shook my head at her. "I wrapped up our plates so we could take it to go. Ma has to get ready for church."

After passing out everyones plate, she gripped Naveen's arm in her free hand and pulled him to the door. "Bye ya'll."

"Bye Lotte, bye Naveen." Called Louis.

I gave Mama Ode a goodbye hug. "See you at evenin' service Ma."

"Okay baby. And make sure you take good care of that prince. Don't leave him alone and keep him away from any signs of vodo for a good while." She shook her head. "Boy, what I would give to have someone like him in my life. You sure are blessed child."

I pushed my eyebrows together. "What you mean Gran?"

"I mean, make sure you hold on to that boy Tiana. Not many girls from this side of town can say they won the heart of a prince."

I laughed nervously. "No no, Mama Ode you misunderstood, he's dating Lotte, not me."

Gran made a angry face at me. "I may be old but child i ain't stupid. I know what I'm talkin' bout. And if you had good since you would listen to what I tell you!"

I was silent for a good while till Louis cleared his throat. "Mama, Tiana got to get going." He pulled me into a quick hug. "See you later Tia."

I nodded at him and gave him a slight smile, even though on the inside my mind was racing with questions. I know Mama Ode was very wise, but she couldn't possibly be right about Naveen liking me.

Could she?