A Darker Shade of Midnight Read Online Free

and got out. Her cousin Rita stood in the doorway, the bright porch light washed over her. She put both hands on her wide hips.
    “Monmon kept asking about you. She was about to make me call out the sheriff’s department to find you.” Rita crossed the screened porch and let the screen door slap shut behind her.  
    “Just so happens they could have told you exactly where I was. One of your diligent deputies hauled me in. Got three bags. Grab this little one. I’ll get the others”
    “Damn, that didn’t take long. You already pissed somebody off?” Rita stared at her for a few seconds.
    “I’m not that good at being bad.” LaShaun handed Rita a bag.   “How’s Monmonbeen today?” LaShaun went to the rear of the SUV. She unlocked the hatch and picked up both suitcases.  
    “Sleeping a lot. She’s getting weaker in body and mind. She talks a lot about the past, most of it in Creole French, so I can’t understand. I fixed up your room.”   Rita didn’t wait for her, but went up the porch steps and disappeared into the house.
    “Thanks,” LaShaun said to empty night air. She went inside and placed her bags in the hallway.
    Not seeing her cousin, LaShaun followed the smell of food to the kitchen. She breathed in the scent of onions, peppers, and garlic. A large electric skilled was set to the warm setting. Inside was jambalaya. A woven basket held a loaf of French bread. Minutes later Rita came to the kitchen. Rita turned from the stove when LaShaun came in.
    “Monmon fixed that for you. She wouldn’t let me cook. Says she’s the only one knows how to prepare your favorites.” Rita’s tone held an edge.  
    “She’s got an iron will. How are you?” LaShaun tried to ease the tension that crackled in the air between them.
    “I’m doing fine. Since you’re here I’m moving back to my place.” Rita turned to go.
    “Hey, you don’t have to leave tonight. There’s plenty of room.” LaShaun caught up with her halfway down the hall.  
    “I put clean towels in your bathroom.”
    LaShaun smiled at her. “C’mon, we can hang out and catch up.”
    “I’m going home. The home health aide is named Tasha Easley. She comes three times a week to help. And the nurse comes by to check her vitals once a week.” Rita said.
    “I really appreciate all you’ve done.” LaShaun started to say more but Rita cut her off.
      “Monmon Odette will want to spend time alone with you.” Rita left was through the front door and in her Ford Mustang before LaShaun could say goodbye. The headlights flashed against the house as she turned the car around to leave.
    LaShaun sighed as she locked the front door. She instinctively turned into the living room to her left. The sights and smells of her grandmother’s house acted like a time machine. One long sofa sat against a wall. A painting of Monmon’s house and part of the woods surrounding it hung just above it. Two other smaller paintings of bayou scenes hung on two other walls. Over the fireplace was a portrait of a breathtaking woman, Odette when she was a woman of thirty. A baby grand piano sat in one corner of the room. The polished walnut finish gleamed as always. Most people didn’t know it, but Monmon Odette was an accomplished pianist. LaShaun went to it and traced the fingers of one hand along the carved music desk above the keys. Then she sat down and gently played the first few notes of “Over The Rainbow”.
    “Why you actin’ like you scared of them keys? Play the song right. That’s one of my favorites.” MonmonOdette said from the doorway.
    She leaned heavily to one side on a thick carved wooden cane. Her skin had the color and texture of ancient brown parchment. Her white hair was combed back, and her scalp showed through in spots where it had thinned. The dark eyes still hinted at some secret power. She wore stud earrings. The twin gold beads gleamed as she moved her head. Then she smiled with affection. The years seemed to slip away. A