WANT

Chapter Two

I was glad when we arrived in New Orleans.

I was tired and frustrated after been stuck in that stuffy coach for two days and I just wanted to get off the coach and stretch my legs.

But I was suddenly engulfed by the sensual smells and sounds that bombarded my senses as I climbed of the coach.

I felt a strange sense of excitement prickling at my nerves.

New Orleans had this alluring quality.

The streets seem to jump out at you with such vibrancy.

It seemed as if the air was charged with this underlining flamboyancy that intrigued me.

I was drawn to it all...

It wasn't long before we were settled into our lodgings and once again I was left to my own devices as papa went to freshen up before he could go over his speech for the evenings event to which I would be accompanying him to.(sigh)

As papa gets busy I walk over to the windows overlooking the bayou. I stand there staring out.

Strange but I feel a familiarity to this place.

I can't stop just gazing out, feels like I'm been transported to another time another place. A place were reality holds no place.

It seems like hours before I snap back to reality.

It was getting late and I needed to get ready for the evening but yet I couldn't tear my gaze away from the bayou.

Later that evening papa and I step onto the dance floor of the charity event that we were attending.

I swayed soft and gracefully in papa's arms.

"My, Oh My! but you dance beautifully Jessie."

"Thank You Papa", and I curtsy as the song ends and a new one strikes up.

Papa leads me off the floor as he caught the eye of one of his many many many associates.

"So old chap....." I don't hear the rest as I tune them out as I stand there dutifully, smiling every now and then politely as required of me as they carried on conversing.

The night proceeded in the same order,either dancing a dance or two with Papa or with one of his associates or just standing by his side like a mannequin as he carried on with his rapid conversations with his fellow peers but I.......

I yearned to be out there at the bayou, sheathed in her darkness,wild and free.

Days whizzed by with Papa been busy either in senate or holding gatherings or giving a speech or two or us attending some charity event or some party or another.

It never left much time for us to go about the town taking in the sights and I so wanted to see what more this vibrant place offered.

I wanted to see the bayou.

I was mesmerized by the beauty of this place and the mystery that shrouded it.

I can't sleep at night as I'm drawn to standing at my windows looking out into the night

As I stand night after night staring out at the bayou.

I felt a strange sense of belonging.

She seem to call out during the silence of the night,wanting me to dance within her shadows.

Her eerie silence in the still of the night comforts me.

The starry nights hold me captive.

I yearn...

I yearn to be out there....