Bayou Pétain (Currently Re-Editing)

Different Strokes For Different Folks

Victorine awoke with a start to the sound of banging. Her and Hadrien jumped out of bed and went to see who was at the door. It was Slim, Mrs. Cecile's nephew.

"Hadrien, you gotta come quick! Its TonTon!", he exclaimed. Victorine and Hadrien dressed quickly then drove over to TonTon's. When they got inside, Matilda was there. She looked at Victorine with a side eye, obviously remembering what her mother, Jeraina Faye had done." They're inside," she said to Hadrien.

When Hadrien walked into the room and seen TonTon laying in the bed, he felt sick. Tonton and Mrs. Cecile were his family, and seeing this once great man laying like a little child, alarmed him. Mrs.Cecile gave him a hug, then said," He got the fever. Its so bad, Hadrien. I can't even help him", she said painfully. Tonton looked so frail and he was sweating bullets. The old man lay in pain. Victorine walked in, giving Mrs. Cecile hope.

"Please, Victorine, maybe you can help him," suggested Hadrien. Victorine went closer to him and touched his fiery head. She wished there was something she could to do help him. She tried every trick Big Nainan had taught her over the course of the morning, but nothing seemed to be working.

Hadrien sat with Mrs. Cecile in the living room. When Victorine walked in, they looked at her hopefully, but soon saw her exasperation. She sat with them, saying, "I've tried everything. I don't know what else to do."

Teta sprang to Hadrien's mind. He shot up and said, "Teta! Teta can help!" Victorine rolled her eyes as her heart sank. Mrs. Cecile joined in, saying how Teta's power could heal anyone. Victorine couldn't believe that Hadrien suggested Teta. They all went back into the room where TonTon lay. Hadrien talked to him, closely.

"We're gonna go get Teta, TonTon. She will help you." The old man grimaced, the pain of knowing how he himself kept Hadrien from Teta. Victorine dared Hadrien to go himself, so he asked Slim to go call her. After the young man had left, and Mrs. Cecile went back into the room, Hadrien grabbed Victorine's arm, pulling her into the living room."What the hell is wrong with you?", he asked.

Victorine jerked herself free, then said, "I cannot believe you, Hadrien! You will look for any reason to be around that country bitch!" Hadrien backed away from her, studying her as if she were someone else, someone he didn't know. "You need to get over this jealously you have for Teta, Victorine, and now, because she is the only one who can help TonTon now, and I'll be damned if I'm gonna let you talk your shit any longer! Now please, be quiet! That man raised me!" Victorine felt the sting of his statement and was about to say something when Matilda waddled into the room.

"Yes, that man raised you , Hadrien, when Victorine's no-good ass mamma fixed your daddy's mind and got him killed!", she spat. " The same no account, trash bitch who killed my T-Black!", she cried. Victorine's eyes got big with embarrassment. She had no idea what Matilda was talking about. The old woman began to cry, and Hadrien comforted her, bringing her into the kitchen. Victorine was stunned.

When Slim arrived with Teta, Hadrien's heart leapt, then quickly sank when he got a good look at her. There were deep, purple bruises on her neck and face, and a huge laceration on her arm. Everyone, including Victorine, stared at her in disbelief. Teta took no time to explain and went straight to TonTon. She felt his head and his heart, then whispered, "Not your time yet, old man", and smiled at him. She went into her bag and began placing candles and her crystals around the room. She lit a stick of her special made High John incense and wafted it through the air. She took out a jar and dipped her fingers in, then rubbed the
ointment on TonTon's head and throat. She massaged his temples, then his entire arms. She began praying to herself, quietly, walking around the room. Tonton watched her, tears forming in his eyes. Teta was helping him recover, and he had told Hadrien to stay away from her.