Tee-John dropped the oar and ducked his head. He shuffled his shoes a few times, as if contemplating whether he really wanted to lose his pride and obey his brother’s orders. Then he mumbled, “I’m sorry, ma’am.”
“Come in here and tell me what happened,” Luc said then, in a decidedly gruff voice. “Why did you run away? Dad didn’t hit you, did he?”
“Hell, no. I’d hit ‘im back if he did,” the boy boasted, strolling toward the kitchen area.
“I told you before, Tee-John, to come to me if Dad ever beat up on you. And you came, so…” Luc, who was picking up all their pieces of clothing from the floor and stacking them neatly on a chair, apparently still worried about his father’s mean temper, despite the boy’s words. He spoke to the boy as if only remotely interested, but Sylvie could tell that he was more than interested… he was worried, and simmering with anger.
“Nah, I’ve learned how to hide when he’s on the booze,” Tee-John boasted, “just like you showed me. Do you have anything to eat for breakfast?”
Luc gave him a look of exasperation as he opened the cupboard door and pulled out a box of Froot Loops. From the fridge, he took a container of reconstituted dry milk. He put them both, along with a bowl and spoon, on the counter where the kid was already straddling a high stool. When the boy reached for them greedily, Luc held them away and glared meaningfully at him.
“Oh, okay, I ran away ’cause Mom wants to send me to a boarding school up north.”
“Why?” Luc asked, releasing the food.
“She says I’m outta hand, but I think it’s ’cause I interfere with her plans.”
“What plans?”
“Mom always has plans. For shoppin’, and decoratin’ the house, and plottin’ to get Dad to marry up with her. You know, plans.”
Luc, still wearing only boxers, raked the fingers of one hand through his hair and sat down on another stool. “Running away is no answer.”
The boy raked the fingers of one hand through his hair, just like Luc. “You did it all the time. Tante Lulu says so.”
Luc muttered something about his aunt having a big mouth. Out loud, he said, “I was in physical danger. You’re not. You could have been hurt, Tee-John, being in the bayou alone.”
“I was careful, Luc,” the boy said in a shaky voice, “just like you showed me. And I ain’t goin’ to any fancy-pantsy school for rich boys.”
“What’s wrong with Our Lady of the Bayou School?”
“Aaaah, Sister Colette is always complainin’ ’bout me… for the least little things.”
“Sister Colette is still there? She was ray fifth-grade teacher.”
“I know,” Tee-John said ruefully with a mouthful of food. “She’s always sayin’ I’m a bad boy, just like my brother Lucien. That’s you.” He gave Luc a hundred-watt “gotcha” smile.
“I know what my name is, you little brat. That’s still no reason to run away and scare everyone to death. How did you know I was here, anyhow?”
“I didn’t. I just figured I’d hide out here till Mom and Dad’s crazy idea for a boarding school petered out. Oh, there’s one other reason I came,” Tee-John went on, slurping heaping spoonfuls of cereal as he talked and swiping his wet mouth with the back of a hand. “I have some important papers for you.”
Luc raised his eyebrows.
“They’re in my backpack over there. I overheard Dad talkin’ to that slimy Deke Boudreaux from Cypress Oil. They was sayin’ stuff about you and some oil bizness and how if you only knew what was in them papers they was examinin’, the shit would really fly.” He saw Luc’s nostrils flare at his continuing bad language, and added quickly, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
Luc went over and picked up a red backpack near the front door. He gingerly removed several candy wrappers, an empty pop can, a styrofoam container of bait worms, a baggie containing fishing hooks, and—of all things!—a pack of Marlboro cigarettes, which caused Luc to narrow his eyes. Tee-John would be hearing more about that last item, Sylvie would bet. Then Luc unfolded some papers. He carefully scanned them, then walked over and handed them to her “If these are legit, we should have a pretty good case, once we get the water samples today… don’t you think?”