Fortunate Sons

Forever One

"You ready Sue?" Rainy asked.

"I think so," Sue nervously replied as Rainy brushed out her long, jet black hair.

There would be no putting it up out of her face today. Rainy carefully helped Sue brush out every strand of hair until it was smoother than silk and not a bit of it was out of place. Already she had changed into her perfectly white dress with its bell sleeves reaching her wrists and the top laced tightly across her chest.

Finally, Rainy placed the crown of flowers she had made the day before on Sue's head. The smallest camellias had been picked early in the morning and had been strung together in a perfect circle before being stuck in a cool place so they would keep. Sue was so nervous she felt her fingers shaking as she slipped her brown sandals onto her feet. Today was the big day and there would be no turning back.

"Alright," she sighed. "I think I'm ready."

Rainy and the other girls readied themselves and left the Robillard House when all was set, following the route through the garden alleys that Etta and Bill had told them to follow. The girls made their way along the cobbled alleyways with their brick walls covered in voodoo symbols and ivy vines that spilled over from the neighboring gardens. The shade of the oak trees shielded them from the sun and shaded their walk all the way to Jefferson Park until they reached a place Sue had never seen before.

The grove was secluded and out of the way, shaded by the long, knotty branches covered with emerald green leaves. The garden itself was full of hollyhocks, wild buckeye, magnolia and lilac. The rays of the sun peeked through the huge, twisting oak branches where everyone had gathered near a huge statue of a warrior angel bearing a sword and shield. The men all wore their best khakis and a clean white shirt while Taylor had a pine green bandana wrapped around his head and his lucky Green Berets pin fastened to the breastpocket of his shirt.

Bill walked her towards the statue where the others were waiting. Nervous as she was, Sue didn't let any of it show. She and Bill just kept walking towards the others who waited patiently. Every step brought her closer to the one moment that was about to change their lives forever.

"Who gives this beautiful woman?" Kurt asked.

"I will," Bill answered.

When he left, it was only Taylor and Sue who stood before Kurt with everybody else off to one side. "Friends, family.....we've gathered on this day to bring together two souls, separated under the worst of circumstances and brought back together by the will of the Heavenly Father. God Almighty we thank you for bringing together Taylor Boisfontaine and Susan Ho, two soulmates who have been through the worst and who now might now be able to give each other the best."

Sue felt a tear stirring in her eye but held it back as best she could. But once Taylor took her hands in his, all of her fears were gone. Her voice shook a bit when the pair read their vows, but no one minded in the least. Dix and Leah did the honors of placing the old American flag blanket around their shoulders, bringing them closer together as Kurt finished off the ceremony.

"Taylor, you take Susan to be your wife? In sickness and health? For better or worse?"

"I do."

"Susan?"

"I do."

"Then by the power invested in me, in God Almighty and the State of Louisiana.....I now pronounce these two souls as man and wife.....Taylor, you may claim the bride as your own."

Everyone laughed and applauded as Taylor and Sue kissed each other under the shade of the oak canopy. After everything they had ever been through.....it could easily be said that this day had been the happiest day of their lives.

That night everyone returned to the house and awaited the hour when the sun would go down. Members of the coven from far and wide had all gathered at the old house and had built a bonfire for the evening's event, waiting until Taylor and Sue finally came out to the back porch where Bill, Etta and several elders from the city were waiting for them.

Maman was awaiting them all clad in immaculate white and holding a wicker basket where a rather intimidating yellow banana snake was patiently coiled. Both stood before her as the voodoo priestess performed the ritual that bound them together as one, letting the brilliant yellow snake coil around their shoulders.

"May you forever be united as one," Maman said to the pair. "May you only know joy and happiness all of your lives. May the road ahead be a smooth one.....and above all, may you know nothing but peace for the rest of your days."

As Maman gave her blessing, three of her followers played out a steady rhythm on the conga drums. When she had finished, the celebration continued well into the night with the music being heard from all the way down the streets and the revelers dancing like wild Indians. Sue and Taylor danced the night away with the coven and their friends, their hands linked together as the earth shook beneath their feet, their eyes locked together and in the midst of the dance their souls became bonded forever.