The next morning we continued our work and Jackson began to relay the second part to this latest story ...
"Saturday morning Rose met Jennifer at the Tea Room at 10:00 as arranged. They had a cup of breakfast tea and a scone before heading east out of town.
They stopped at an antique store, a produce stand, and found a nice little café for lunch. They chatted easily and enjoyed themselves before heading to view the paintings.
After close examination of six of the paintings, Jennifer recommended two of them composed by early American artists. Rose negotiated a fair price, paid for them, and made arrangements for shipping them back to New Orleans.
It was close to 5:00 by the time they began their way back. Both women were gratified and pleased by the paintings they had chosen, and decided to celebrate with an early dinner, so they detoured north around Lake Ponchetrain. They finally drove up on a beautiful old farm house which had been converted into an inn and restaurant and decided to stop there.
Both were craving sea food, after ordering sampler plates for each of them, they settled down to nurse two Hurricanes. They talked and laughed through dinner about exploits as young girls, Jennifer talked about her love of art and the fulfillment she got in restoring paintings that might otherwise be lost forever, Rose talked about running the Tea Room, the joys and aggravations.
After dinner, lively zydeco music could be heard coming from outside, when Rose inquired, she was told that a local group usually sat up on the lawn on Saturday nights and entertained guests for the dollar bills dropped in the hat in front of the accordion player. Rose and Jennifer decided they would listen for just a few minutes before leaving again for New Orleans. Rose told Jennifer to try to find them a couple of seats and she would get them two more Hurricanes.
Jennifer did a little dance step out the door in response to the animated music and Rose smiled after her. Rose collected the two Hurricanes and wound her way outside, through the crowds of locals and found Jennifer sitting on the edge of the audience. Rose handed Jennifer one of the Hurricanes and settled herself in to be swept into the festivities ... patting her foot in time to the vivacious beat and even allowed herself to be pulled up by a fun loving fellow and twirled about the grass for a little dance.
Jennifer looked on, watching Rose dancing, a pair of young lovers cavort in the guise of dance, and an old couple holding hands and sitting close together.
She was suddenly sad, and finished off her Hurricane before Rose got back. As Rose approached, Jennifer stood up, "We need to be getting back now," but she had to put out her hand to hold on to Rose's arm ... "I'm afraid I drank that last Hurricane too quickly and it went right to my head," ... she couldn't help but giggle. Rose said, "Great! I'd love to stay the night and enjoy more of this Cajun charm, wouldn't you! Just sit right here and I'll go in a book us rooms." Rose re-entered the inn, registered for one room with double beds, and ordered another Hurricane for Jennifer.
Outside again, the band had taken a break when Rose handed Jennifer the drink. "I really don't think I ought to drink any more ..." "Nonsense" Rose said, "We're free of anyone who knows us or who can judge us or even anyone we need to impress! Let's just have a good time tonight and we can return to our structured little lives tomorrow ... what do you say?"
Jennifer looked around and the folks milling about, "Okay ... nothing waiting on me in New Orleans anyway ... let's relax and have a good time."
Rose and Jennifer spent the evening under the stars, listening to zydeco, laughing, talking, and Jennifer had at least one more Hurricane. Rose declined saying that she would have a tonic water, she had a headache and wanted to take some aspirin.
When the music ended for the night, the two of them started back toward the inn. Jennifer was a little off balance, so Rose put her hand on her waist to steady her. "I'm afraid that when I went to register, there was only one room left ... it has two double beds in it ... I hope you don't mind." Jennifer broke off in mid-chorus, "son of gun we'll have big fun on the bayou" ... to giggle and assure Rose there wasn't a problem at all right now.
Rose unlocked the door to the room, and Jennifer entered first. "Oh my God! I'm going to be sick!", and she darted into the bathroom. Rose followed her and knelt beside her to hold her head and she threw up the last Hurricane she had. "Oh, I haven't drank anything in so long, I forgot how it affected me. I'm so embarrassed, please forgive me, Rose." She slumped back on her heels and Rose handed her a cool wash cloth. "Don't worry, Jen ... there's not a one of us who hasn't over indulged at one time or another ... it's not a big deal." "Oh God! I'm going to be sick again", and she lurched for the toilet once more. Rose held her head, rinsed out the wash cloth and handed it back to her.
"I'm going to fix you something to calm your stomach," she said as she went to her purse. She removed a little compact and told Jennifer, "I'll be right back with a special cup of tea for you. Just sit there just in case ..."
Jennifer seemed only to have time to shut her eyes before Rose was back with a strong brew of tea. "Here, Jen ... drink this. It will make you feel better and I bet you won't even have a hangover in the morning."
Anxious to quell the misery, Jennifer obediently drank the tea and Rose helped her to sit on one of the double beds. "Feeling better?", Rose asked.
"Yes ... thank you ... now I remember why I gave up drinking ... not really worth all the torment associated with it! And, you're right, my head is feeling better ... thanks again."
Rose laughed, "No problem ... really ... I know what you mean ... I had to give up smoking years ago ... and every once in a while, I still want a cigarette. But, thank goodness we don't have to give up sex! I'd hate to have to live without that!"
Jennifer looked at Rose as depression crossed her face, "I'm afraid I had to give that up, too ... about five years ago."