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Vieux Carré (Chapter 3)
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Chapter 3
Tina slipped into the plush first class seat, buckled the lap belt, and prepared her iPod for the journey. Appropriately choosing a jazz & blues playlist. She had not been home since her parents funeral nearly 5 years ago. She was hesitant to return to the city of her birth. Not that she didn’t adore her hometown, what distressed her were the memories of the tragedy that took her took the lives of the two people she loved the most.
Hurricane Katrina spared the Kennard Home. Her mother was a selfless and kind soul, donating time and money to homeless and underprivileged families. Not surprisingly her mother insisted on helping with search & rescue. efforts. She easily determined that she would focus on the lower ninth ward since many of the people she worked with resided there. Her husband understood the risk, but he also knew he could not keep the stubborn woman away. Her tenacity was one of the things he loved most about her. He decided help anyway he could right along side his wife. They used their own boat to assist residents off of rooftops and treetops. They were successful at bringing many people and animals to high ground. During a risky attempt to save an elderly woman from a home near the levee breach, their boat struck a submerged car and capsized, the undercurrent too powerful to tread. In that moment death toll increased by two.
Tina was a only child. Her parents tried for years to become pregnant. Wouldn’t you know, as soon as they stopped trying, ‘surprise’, little Christina blessed their lives. Her father, Michael ‘Mickey’ Kennard, was the District Attorney for Orleans Parish. A handsome and well respected man. He was most admired for his unwavering ethics within local government. Ethics and Louisiana Politics are rarely used in the same sentence. Residents get as riled up for political events as they do college football, even placing large wagers on debates and elections. Mickey was revered by the citizens for his honesty, he always kept his word. Katherine, Tina’s mother, was an accomplished novelist and humanitarian. Also regarded for her exceptional Cajun/Creole cooking and her wicked sense of humor. Attractive and sophisticated. She fragile on the outside but strong on the inside; like whiskey in a tea cup. Tina inherited the most endearing characteristics of both her parents.
As a teenager Tina and her best friend, Dana, would often hop the St. Charles Street Car from their Uptown neighborhood to the French Quarter. The 2 friends were joined at the hip from 2nd grade until they graduated college. Frequently lying their parents as to their whereabouts. Tina covered for Dana and Dana for Tina. Tina was a good girl, but she was by far an angel. Her protective parents would never allow their baby girl to go into the belly of the city unescorted. But, as a curious and mildly rebellious teen, there was no way anyone would keep her away. The mystery of the Vieux Carré inspired her soul.
Reclining into her seat, the lush voice of Norah Jones caressed her mind. Vivid images of her childhood inundated her thoughts. The unique architecture of the Raised Center-Hall Villas and Double-Gallery houses of the Garden District neighborhood where she was raised. Yards and Neutral Grounds embellished with hundred year old oak trees draped in Spanish moss, the fragrant magnolias and colorful hibiscus. The bells of the trolley cars piercing the thick air. Sweet tea at every meal. Neighbors gossiping on porch swings. Absolutely enchanting. Tina could feel the creativity beginning to stir. She was getting excited about the reunion with her roots.
On the ride from the airport Tina was glued to the window like a puppy. She could not believe how remarkably the city recovered from the catastrophic storm. It looked better than she expected. Clean and revitalized, yet still as unique and alluring as ever.
The town car pulled over in front of her destination. The polished brass letters on the chic warehouse read; Bette Porter Gallery, NOLA. The driver stepped out and opened her door. As Tina exited the car she tilted her chin toward the sky, relishing the warmth of the sun on face, it felt as if her parents her smiling down upon her. She smiled broadly and whispered, "hey momma, hey daddy, it’s good to be home."
TBC
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oh that was a nice chapter, happy we learn a lil about Tina’s parents…..”relishing the warmth of the sun on face, it felt as if her parents her smiling down upon her. She smiled broadly and whispered, “hey momma, hey daddy, it’s good to be home.”…..that’s my favorite line, made me smile.