This story continues my 'Cajuns Stick Together ' story. I wrote this story in response to comments about they expected my characters to act. One reader suggested I write from a different POV. I found this was far more difficult to do satisfactorily than I had originally thought. I had intended to scrap the idea and then realized how much time I had spent so I decided to complete the project. Sex is discussed but there is no active sex depicted. Any errors in editing are my own.
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"I want two po-boys, one with oysters and one with shrimp. And two sweet teas." the woman said. "You are really gonna like the way they make their po-boys here. And the price is right too. Ya' know the way they make sweet tea it really oughta be served with a shot of insulin. But it is still a popular drink. I guess it is over where you are from too, huh? Out in the country."
"Oh yeah, I guess it is the same all over Louisiana." Bonnie said. "You know, Sylvia, I can buy my own food. But I do appreciate it. Money has been a little tight. I was not prepared for how expensive this damn city is."
"Naah! I asked you out for a reason. But I'll get to that." Sylvia answered. "Let's sit over by the window while we wait for our food. They'll bring it out to us. Ok. I gotta confess. I am REAL curious about y'all. We have come out for lunch every coupla days the past month an' we talk about 'most everything but you never tole me your story. You never even hinted at it. I am about to bust at the seams!"
"What do you mean?" Bonnie asked. "As Tony's PA, I know you read my resume. I am not that naive. You know all about me, where I came from, my education, job history, pretty much everything except my bra size. And you could probably guess that. We talk about all kinds of crap. What is it you don't know?"
"Sorry, girl. I didn't mean it THAT way." Sylvia said. "Now, over the years, I have seen Tony, bein' my cousin and all, hire different people from time to time. And the thing is, he was looking HARD for somebody like Richard. With his skills and knowledge of the insurance stuff. That was okay, and he was lucky to find Rich. BUT Richard insisted you be hired as well as a condition of him accepting the job. When I heard that I told Tony you were probably some useless bimbo Rich was screwin'. You know, a 'give my girlfriend a job so she feels good' kinda thing'. We knew you had worked for him before. But DAMN girl! You are fucking good, your own self!! I mean you turned that little clerical job around! Third week here and Tony is trusting you with accounts to work on like he never did before. And now you are running that department. Only two month's in!"
"And I am gonna admit, I don't like to let on but I'm not just Tony's PA. I have a little more bite than that. I own a bit of the company. Agnosta Shipping was started by my Grandpa. He left it to his son and daughter, my Mom and Uncle, Tony's Dad. Tony being my cousin and a guy got to be in charge. At least he has the title on the company letterhead as boss. Kinda a loose interpretation just like him being called a guy. A technicality. I know you caught on he is gay. Our running joke is my job as his PA is to keep him straight, but there is no way he will ever be 'straight'. You should hear him say it. People stammer and try to get all politically correct. He just laughs his ass off. Anyway, my duties sort of do include more than just being a secretary. And I just wanna know the deal."
"I had a LOT more responsibility at my last job." Bonnie explained. "Yes, I worked for Rich then. So when we lost that, we wanted to stay close. I am sure you noticed we share the same address." Sylvia said "Oh yeah!"
"I will tell you we are having a hard time making ends meet. I mean rent around New Orleans is positively insane!" Bonnie said. "We have looked all over. All the way out to Metairie by the airport. The drive down I-10 is a real pain! "
"Look girl, I know." Sylvia stated. "If you want to save a little money go north of the city. Make the drive. It won't save you a whole lot but it is a better place to live, safer. You should see where Tony lives. Down in the Quarter! Looks like crap from the street, but behind his door? Girl, that place is NICE! He even owns the little courtyard. Of course he and his partner bought it a while back but now those places go for three or four million. Rent down there is STUPID high!! And you gotta watch yourself walking down the street. Don't think for a minute Nawlins is JUST party central."
"Anyway, one of the things I wanna tell you is, DON"T wear that jewelry around!" Sylvia said bluntly. "I can tell it is not bling. That shit is real. Somebody is gonna see it and target you. They will get it. How bad you get hurt when they do is the problem. Best to just leave that shit at home. And maybe even locked up. My husband has a gun safe I keep my good stuff in it. I LIKE YOU!! I sure don't wanna see you get hurt!"
"Okay back to what I was saying a few minutes ago. I can tell you used to have money but now you are living here and you don't. So you gonna tell me the REAL story?" Sylvia asked. "I know grew up only a hundred miles away but you are still a country girl. Big change, huh?"
"No shit!" Bonnie stated. "Like living on the other side of the planet. I mean, I came over here to New Orleans many times over the years. But usually to play in the Quarter, you know Bourbon Street. Or when my family would go out of the port on cruises. Mine and Rich's. Alright. That needs an explanation. I can see that."
"Okay. If you want to know my history, the personal stuff, I'll tell you. Rich is my brother in law or was. And yes, now my boyfriend, lover or whatever other tag you want to put on it." Bonnie said.
"Brother in law, former boss and now boyfriend? Sylvia said. "Girl friend, I jus' gotta hear the whole thing. Go back and start from the beginning!! And don't worry about the time. So long as we are caught up with our work, we can take all the time we need. Tony won't say a word."
"Okay. If you really want to know. I met my ex-husband just after I graduated high school. I was at a party with my friend Susan and her brother had come home from college for summer break. He was there at the party too. I sorta knew him from seeing him around but never really had much contact with him except to say Hi. He was a few years older, so we didn't have any contact in school. Anyway he was cute and I liked him so when he asked me out, I jumped at it. Third date and we wind up having sex. It was my first time and since I was not planning to be sexually active I was not on anything. And Rob didn't use a condom. Next thing you know I am pregnant. My parents were pissed."
"I would guess so! You mean you stayed virgin until after high school?" Sylvia asked, obviously surprised.
Bonnie laughed. "That was what you took away from that? My point was I got pregnant right away and with the first guy I ever had sex with. I have only had sex with two guys in my life, my ex-husband and Rich. My dates before that only had a little making out and some light fondling over clothes. Well, I unfastened my bra and let a guy play with my bare tits a couple times."
"Rich was home from college also. He was a friend of Rob's and Rob introduced him to his sister. They hit it off. Next thing you know they are engaged too. Rob and Sue's family had a construction company and the old man, his grandfather, owned a bunch of real estate around the area. He gave both Rob and Sue some acreage on a bayou and built us really nice houses side by side. Well, built THEM houses. Because they got the houses before we were married the homes belonged to them and were deeded in only their names. But for almost eighteen years we had no mortgage payment. We just had insurance, utilities and all that."
"Now, my Dad is a doctor. He was really upset about my being pregnant. I overheard him tell Mom Rob was a pussyhound. He figured Rob had taken advantage of me and would probably screw around sooner or later so he had us sign a really strict pre-nup. The cheating party would leave the marriage with only twenty percent of any community assets. Rob's Dad liked the idea of a prenup so he copied it for Rich and Sue."
"I had a boy and a few months later so did Sue. It was kinda tough that first year. Rob had a year of college left, but both our folks helped us and he finished his degree. Next thing you know I am pregnant again. Sue got pregnant about the same time. I had a daughter and she had twins."