Sugar Doll's Hurricane Blues (30 page)

“Did Tony know?”

“No, he took his own helping and was only too glad not to get caught. The club was very popular back then so any extra money I had seemed good enough to explain to anyone. No one asked. Tony cooked the books anyway so a few thousand here and there didn’t hurt anything.”

“So you stole from them?” Sugar Doll asked surprised.

“No more than they stole. That wasn’t honest money. I didn’t know when Tony would get tired of me and kick me to the curb. I always thought that I’d come back to get you honey and I wasn’t coming broke.” Mona reached over the counter and touched a lock of Sugar Doll’s hair. “After all those years how much do you think you owe Marsalas?”

“It’s not just the money baby. I could be a key witness on many things against Marsalas. He doesn’t know that I don’t want to tell but I will if I have to.” Mona shrugged out of her raincoat, water dripping to the floor.

“Well the police have been hauling us in and even the FBI is involved. I didn’t understand but it’s more than just the club money or the gambling money Bertrand and Kevin tried to
take. They just stopped picking up Remy at the end of last year.” Sugar Doll sat at the bar to look at her mother. Mona was beautiful and aging very well. “I don’t think that you should be here. It’s dangerous for all of us.” Sugar Doll looked directly at Mona.

“I have no plans for staying. I just needed to take care of a personal matter. I gave the house and the bar to you.” “Mona!” Remy stood at the doorway in disbelief.

“Remy.” Mona stood calmly.

“You shouldn’t be here.” Remy leaned against the door.

“Neither should you, it’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding.” Mona smiled.

“Well I’m sort of her bridesmaid and lady in waiting.” Remy shrugged off his raincoat. “Isn’t it dangerous for you to be here?”

Sugar Doll pulled out three cups and began to pour the coffee.

“Yes, no one knows that I am here. As a matter of fact I am here under an assumed name. I wanted to see you honey just one last time. I wanted to see your wedding. I’m so happy for you both.” Mona cried.

Remy crossed the room and took Mona into his arms hugging her. She let out a sigh of relief.

“It’s been a really tough year for us all.”

“Amen to that.” Mona gathered her composure and looked at the beautiful couple.

“Quite a ceremony you guys have planned according to the papers.” She wiped her tears.

“Yes, many of the musicians in the city are coming down to your bar and we are going to have a regular old jam session.
We don’t need a wedding band”. Remy grabbed Sugar Doll from behind and kissed her lightly on the neck.

“I wish Tony and I could have been as free with our love but that was a different time back then.” Mona sighed again.

“Is it just the wedding that brings you home?” Remy asked.

“Remy, I don’t care what it is. I’m just happy to see family.” Sugar Doll sat down wiping a tear from her cheek.

“Well Remy, the truth is that I’m homesick. One can only take so much of sandy beaches and rock music. I’ve come to make a deal with the Feds to help bring Marsalas down.” Mona confided.

“Mama no, that’s crazy talk. They are going to kill you. Why did you have to come back to do that?”

“I have to testify in open court. They have a few of his men but they really need me. I took all of the books after Tony died. There are notes and dates and even times of transactions. That’s what Marsalas has been looking for in the first place. He trusted Tony because they were kin. Ours was a small operation but he had others and Tony took care of a great deal of them.”

“Why didn’t you come sooner?” Sugar Doll asked.

“Too much going on wasn’t there? I would have tried to make a deal with Marsalas himself but he threatened me after Tony died so I just took everything and left. He couldn’t find me but the Feds did soon enough and my lawyers negotiated a deal with them.”

“Then if they have the deal why have they been harassing us? Even Marsalas has threatened Remy and me.” Sugar Doll slammed down her coffee cup.

“They want to make sure that there are no loose ends. The only way that they could get to me is through you. I didn’t
mean to leave you with all of this trouble but I had no choice. That’s why I’m here now. I want to make sure that both of you are safe and sound before I do anything.” Mona stood to make her point.

“They’ll be looking for you at my wedding. You must realize that. This is the worst time to come.” Sugar Doll stood shaking her head.

“You both have to go away for awhile as things are going to get hot and I don’t want to take a chance on losing either one of you. After all you are the only family I have now.”

“Go away? Where?” Sugar Doll shrieked.

“Europe, somewhere obscure like Holland or Sweden. Places people wouldn’t even think of looking.” Mona said.

“We can’t do that, there’s the club.” Remy spoke up finally.

“The club will be there when you get back. It’s a time to run. I have money here and will get your tickets right away. Use it as your honeymoon present. No one will suspect. I have to go to court on Friday. After that it’s going to be dangerous for you both and I can’t stand that possibility.” Mona cried.

“Why now?” Sugar Doll asked.

“Because the Feds are close to cracking their case against Marsalas and I’m one of their key witnesses. They also have one of his hit men, Sid.” Mona said.

“This can’t be happening.” Sugar Doll said.

“It is happening and you need to deal with it. Now I’m not asking you, I am telling you that you must leave. The police won’t bother you anymore. There are Feds watching the house but they can’t be everywhere. Your safety is not their primary concern. I came personally because I knew that you wouldn’t believe some cop. Please take me seriously.” Mona begged.

“At least we would get a real honeymoon Sugar.” Remy smiled.

“It’s not funny Remy.” Sugar Doll said resigned to the idea.

Michael sat down in the middle of the road and began to cry. He had done his best to get out of Marsala’s grip. Rudolfo pointed the gun to his head. Just then a warm spring rain began. He felt the rain fall in big droplets on his shoulder. It was surprisingly refreshing considering the fact that he was sweating from the run, the fear and the heat. He couldn’t believe that Rudolfo had caught him so easily.

“You are going to die kid.” Rudolfo mumbled in his rough voice. Michael saw his mother’s face. He cried harder as the rain came down in full force and a gunshot rang out on the empty river road.

“Sam Marsalas?” A policeman walked closely behind the well dressed man.

“You know who I am. Don’t play cops and robbers.” Marsalas turned to face the officer in front of his business offices.

The officer was joined by two FBI men.

“You are under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder, money laundering and mail fraud.” The officer stated as though reading from a script.

Two men stepped out of the office building. “We are Samuel Marsalas’s attorneys and we were expecting you.” They went to stand beside Marsalas.

“Of course you were” said one of the FBI men. “Cuff him.” He instructed the policeman.

“That won’t be necessary. Mr. Marsalas is an upstanding citizen of New Orleans and should be treated with the respect he deserves.” The older attorney stated standing in front of Marsalas.

“He’s a low down killer.” Cuff him the FBI said.

In the end Marsalas was led away in handcuffs with his attorneys following closely behind him. Marsalas didn’t say anything.

Paster Han and Father Woods presided over the wedding. Remy left the house once Tonya came to pick up Sugar Doll.

“Girl you look beautiful!” Tonya cried as she looked at her gorgeous friend dressed in her lovely satin white gown. It was simple yet elegant and sleek. One strap crossed her shoulder clasped with a diamond heart shaped pin. The gift from Celeste had been her grandmother’s. Sugar Doll had her hair pulled back in a beautiful chignon with a simple gardenia clipped to the side in homage to her favorite singer Billie Holiday.

The cathedral was bright and sunny for the mid-day ceremony. The stained glass windows shimmered color throughout the sanctuary. Sugar Doll stood at the doors of the cathedral awaiting the wedding hymn as it had been played during rehearsal. She sighed as she stood alone with no one to walk with
her down the aisle. She looked toward heaven. “Big Ma and Betrand I wish you were here with me, but I know that you are in heaven. The doors opened and the church stood to watch the bride. Someone touched her gloved arm. She turned to look and Mona hooked her arm through her daughter’s arm. Paster Han came to her right side and held her other arm.

“Now sister you didn’t think that we would let you walk down the aisle by yourself.” Paster Han smiled. A jazz quartet stood up and began to play “Here comes the bride” with a jazz riff.” Her heart soared. Remy stood there smiling as she approached.

“And let the church say Amen!” Paster Han shouted as he walked up to the platform next to Father Wood. Mona took her seat toward the front of the church with tears in her eyes. She saw Celeste who nodded toward her and smiled as she held her young daughter.

“Amen!” The church chorused and laughed as the priest just looked around.

“In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost” Father Woods intoned. The Catholics made the sign of the cross. The Baptist sat there intrigued but a bit uncomfortable. Remy winked at Sugar Doll. Mona cried. There was a man there dressed in a black suit sitting three seats behind Mona. He was to whisk her away before the reception.

“Do you Remy Gaudeaux take Precious Bouvier to be your lawfully wedded wife?” Father Woods asked.

“Do I get to kiss her then?” Remy smiled. The congregation laughed.

“Yes son, you get to kiss her.” Father Woods said seriously.

“Then I do.” He leaned in to kiss Sugar Doll.

“Hold on a minute boy!” Paster Han intoned. “I’ve got to ask her what she wants.

“Do you Precious, Sugar Doll Bouvier take Remy Gaudeaux to be your lawfully wedded husband forsaking all others?” He winked at Remy.

“I…..” Sugar Doll was interrupted by Remy’s kiss.

“Do.”

“Let the church say Amen!” Everyone stood and clapped.

As Sugar Doll exited the church with Remy and flowers seeming to float from the sky she saw Mona being escorted out of the side door. Mona turned to her daughter at that precise moment and mouthed, “I love you.” Sugar Doll cried deeply as Remy grabbed her for another kiss.