TELL ME THE TRUTH

Chapter Three

Jeanne Saunier 

2013

"Oh my," I breathed out as I finished that journal entry. 23 February 1744.

It was surreal reading about Evangeline Benoit. The poor girl. Fifteen years old and sold into slavery.

I gripped the book in my hand and made my way to Papa's storeroom. He was still in the back room of the shop, toiling away with the specific orders.

"Papa," I called softly.

"Done so soon, Jeanne? I'm shocked. I thought you'd surely be down there until I dragged you away." He chuckled softly to himself, scooping some gray powder into a little glass jar.

"Actually, I left the tunnels hours ago."

He stood up and turned to face me. "Really?" His face was etched with curiosity, his dark eyes sparkling with interest.

"Yes. I found a collection of journals in what looked to be a bedroom. I've been reading them."

"Whose journals?"

"A girl. Evangeline Benoit. The early ones are from 1744."

"Ah. What about the late ones?"

"Well there was one in a pillowcase but I didn't look for an end date. That one started in December 1746. And then there was one from 2005 in there too."

"2005?" Papa asked, obviously confused.

"Mmhmm. It doesn't fit with the others but I'll read it later. Right now I'm quite interested in Evangeline's story."

"Have you checked the name in the one from '05?"

"No. It doesn't really matter. It was probably Mama's and she hid it there for some odd reason. You know how she was with her secrets."

"You are right, Jeanne. You should read through it sometime. See what you find. It could be a missive from your mother."

"That's what I thought. I'll read it when I get the chance."

"What have you found in Evangeline's journals?"

"She was a slave." I outlined what I had read in the journal and Papa listened intently.

"Oh dear." He took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes. "Now that I think of it, I think there are some Benoit's in our family line. I'll check it out later. But Evangeline Benoit may be your ancestor."

I let slip a curse in excitement. "That would be pretty interesting, Papa."

"Watch that mouth, Jeanne Eva Saunier!"

"Sorry, Papa."

"You know how I feel about swearing, Jeanne."

"I know, Papa."

"Do you think you'll read all the journals, my dear?"

I nodded slowly. "Yeah. I want to know more of Evangeline's story."

"I'll look at some of the ancestry collections your mama had tomorrow and do some research."

I shook my head quickly. "No! I'll do it, Papa! It's me that wants to know."

"You'll tell me everything you discover?"

"Of course!"

Papa smiled at me before going back to his work. I quickly made my way back up the stairs and to the small room -- barely larger than a closet -- that stored a lot of Mama's research stuff. She'd always been fascinated with the family line and with how far back houngans and mambos were. Papa once said that there were dozens of generations with powerful houngans and mambos and even a couple of bokors.