Fiction short story, based on my beloved hometown New Orleans. Can't you tell that I'm homesick? Lol! I know. Many of my fiction short stories are based on my hometown New Orleans.
(Me shooting my shot at trying out a "ROMANCE" short story.)
_______________________________________
Willie Mounds, an Atlanta native, transferred from Morehouse College to Tulane University in 1988. At first, he wanted to go to Dillard, but Dillard didn't have what he desired to major in. Because of that, he was a little disappointed because he REALLY wanted to go to Dillard. He had his heart set on it. So, because of that, he decided that he would keep his college major a secret from his new friends. He moved to New Orleans, not knowing anybody. He decided to move to New Orleans because he wanted to experiment with comparing the 2 cities, & publishing an open diary. He kept hearing how similar the 2 cities were, so he wanted to see for himself.
Willie bought a used Datsun pickup truck, as soon as he got into town. He wore that baby out! He wanted to see what Bourbon St. was all about, but didn't get around to it. He was standing in the Cafe' du Monde line, waiting to order hot chocolate & beignets when he turned to an attractive young woman behind him. He thought to himself, "Wow! This woman is fair to look upon, just like the biblical character, Rebekah." She fit Mariah Carey's description.
The woman was looking away, when he turned his back. He was shy & afraid of small talk. His heart started fluttering. He started panting & sweating. It was August & hot, anyway, mind you.
The woman, in her Cajun accent (Her accent was Cajun, but she talked using Creole slang) asked him, "Are you OK?"
He over exaggerated the blushing. He threw his upper body down to his knees (quickly bending over for a few seconds), then raised back up. He told her, "You are the prettiest girl I've ever laid my eyes on! What a minute. Are you 1 of those Creoles?"
She winked her left eye, did a 1/2 smile & said, "Clever guess! My father is Creole, & my mother is Cajun. I love both my Creole heritage AND my Cajun heritage! Can't nobody take that from me. I'm Sabine Landry."
"My name is William Mounds. Willie. My nick name is NERDO because I always make high grades in school."
She said, "4 true? Alright nah! Go 'head, Mistah! Yeah, u rite!"
They talked for over 30 minutes because the line was long. There was a 2nd line going on. Their turn finally came, & Willie paid for both of their orders.
Willie was a dark brown skinned young Black college Junior. He never thought he was attractive. He felt unworthy to deserve Sabine. He felt ashamed of dressing like a typical late 80's nerd. You know. Tight pants, bifocal eyeglasses, suspenders & penny loafers. He had a fresh, new fade, but he always wore a cowboy hat because he felt insecure about the big scar going across his head because he fell out of his mother's car when he was 4 years old & had to get surgery. He was a short man, & she was a very tall woman. Sabine didn't mind it. She was fixated on his intelligence & generosity.
They chatted some more at the table while eating. They each got into their vehicles & went to Sabine's house. He followed her all the way to her house in Harahan. He thought he was going to have to stay in a hotel. Sabine begged him to move in with her. She was also single. Willie was lucky to have a new girlfriend & a free roof over his head, but the drive to & from school every day was farther than he had hoped. Well, it's a win-win situation by him not having to pay rent.
At the beginning of the relationship, Sabine was excited to show Willie all of the landmarks, the restaurants, the culture, etc. She even showed him around Grand Isle, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, etc. before the semester started for school. He even gained about 20 lbs., eating all that good food.
On the 1st day of school (after school) he wanted Sabine to spend time, showing him around the French Quarter. They went to Bourbon St. & had lunch & a couple of drinks. They didn't get drunk. Sabine was a little tipsy, though. Willie was excited to FINALLY fulfill his dream. He also got a job opportunity offer at the Royal Sonesta Hotel & got hired right on the spot. He had to juggle between work & school.
After a couple of hours, they drove Willie's Datsun onto the Canal St. ferry. They got out of the truck because Willie was excited to see the water. By that time, the sun was setting. Willie romantically & gently grabbed her by her hips, pulling her closer to him. They gazed into each other's eyes for at least 30 seconds, while the boat was moving towards Algiers. They closed their eyes, passionately tongue kissed, & then Willie got on 1 knee, popping the question. The answer was YES, & then they rejoiced.
By that time, it was time for everyone to exit the boat. Then, Willie drove the truck off of the boat, & they went out to eat at Copeland's restaurant on the West Bank. They kept flirting & kissing the remainder of the night.
Time went on, & they eventually got married. They ended up with 8 children, total, over the years! Willie loves children more than Sabine does.
After a few more years, Mardi Gras day came. Willie & Sabine were walking together, holding hands. Willie reminisced on that day they were on Bourbon St. The day they got engaged. They were mainly on Canal St. to see the parade. It was hard to find somewhere to use the restroom. For that reason, Willie said that he would avoid Mardi Gras like the plague, from then on!
There was a street preacher on Canal St., preaching repentance & preaching that Bourbon St. & Mardi Gras are pagan, evil & Satanic. He was also preaching against Voodoo, black magick, witchcraft, murder, fornication, abortion, STD's, teen pregnancy, etc. He told it ALL! Unfortunately, mostly everyone was gossipping, laughing at & making fun of the preacher, throwing things at him. Many people were drunk. They littered the ground with the gospel tracts that he was passing out. Lots of beer & beads covering the now-ruined gospel tracts.
Willie didn't like what he saw, so he decided to become a saved Christian & start up his own church with his wife. He felt bad for how the street preacher was treated for his hellfire, fire & brimstone preaching. They started up a church in Terrytown, called "Winning Souls Community Church", & the church was a small church. They wanted to keep it that way, because Willie wanted to stick with the truth. He didn't want for his church to become a popular, fake megachurch preaching lies. Willie & his wife didn't want to compromise or sell out. 2 of their children also became pastors. Their children never grew up to get in trouble with the law.
THE END