Free Second Chance Sister by Linda Kepner Page A

time her parents had made love, and suspected it was a long time ago.
    With that thought, Bishou went to bed.

Chapter 6
    In a way, Bat was right — Bishou woke up to the sound of the ferry’s horn. But then, she closed her eyes and fell asleep again.
    She heard a
tap, tap
at her door, and hauled herself out of bed to open it. It was Eliane, amused at her disheveled guest. “Mademoiselle, you look exhausted.”
    “What time is it?”
    “Almost eleven.” The prim-looking elder sister held out a piece of paper. “I have a message from your brother Jean-Baptiste. He said to tell you the boys are at the Campards, and he and Louis were going to East Beach. The Ford is in front, if you want to use it today. You drive, I take it.”
    Bishou stared. “Bat stopped here?”
    Eliane nodded. “What a handsome young man, your brother, and so approachable! It was a pleasure to meet him.” Yes, Bat had captivated the hostesses.
    “Is the car all right, in front?”
    “Of course. Would you rather park it in back?”
    “Yes, please. I don’t need it for this morning’s errands, probably not until after lunch.”
    “Dress and wash up, then, and Joseph will show you the alley to our back area. There’s room to park it there.” Eliane left.
    Bishou washed up, and tried to clear the cobwebs from her brain. She dressed, went downstairs, and found Joseph. He showed her the alley and directed her through it to the little back areaway. As was their custom, Bat had left the keys above the visor, but now she placed them in her pocket. She locked the car. It would now be out of sight and out of mind until she needed it later.
    Bishou walked to Rue Marché, Market Street. Her first stop was the jeweler; next was the florist. She saved her most time-consuming errand for last.
    The Sundress Shop was having a busy morning. There were visitors, buying casual clothes for their vacation on Réunion Island. Madame Ross nodded to her, and finished with her current customers. When they left the store, Mme. Ross said, “Well, are you excited, Mademoiselle Bishou?”
    “Very much. Is Ceci around?”
    “Of course. Ceci!” Madame called to the back room. Ceci appeared, and nodded shyly at Bishou.
    “I hope you don’t mind,” Bishou said apologetically. “But your hair is so much like mine — I wondered where you got it done.”
    “Er — Mma Jo’s,” Cecil replied, “
mais nous sommes noires
.” But we’re black. “I straighten it, too.”
    Mme. Ross was smiling. “Mademoiselle Bishou’s hair is naturally straight, but I can see what she means. She doesn’t want a permanent, or oil treatment, or anything usually done in a French hair salon, do you, Mademoiselle?”
    “Yes, that’s it exactly. And, you see, I grew up with only brothers, and my mother has always been ill, so I haven’t had a lot of advice. And your hair is so nice.”
    Mme. Ross explained to Bishou, “You must understand about Mama Josephine. She is hairdresser, sometimes barber, sometimes nurse midwife, whatever someone needs in her neighborhood.”
    “She sounds like a good person to know,” said Bishou.
    Mme. Ross’s smile grew wider. “Ceci, why don’t you take Bishou around to Mama Josephine’s? It’s a nice sunny day for a walk. Bishou can see her shop, and decide if it’s right for her.”
    “Oui, Madame,” said Ceci doubtfully.
    As they walked along the sidewalk, Bishou said to Ceci, “I’m sorry to embarrass you. And it must be an embarrassment, to be seen with a white woman.”
    “Oh, non, mademoiselle, it’s nothing. This is La Réunion, you know. And besides, you are
Americaine
.”
    “True,” Bishou agreed good-humoredly. “I am forgiven many mistakes because I am
Americaine
and so I must not know any better.”
    Ceci giggled. “And you never will, will you?”
    “Not if I can help it,” Bishou concurred.
    They were walking into a neighborhood that was obviously much darker than Rue Marché, but just as busy. “This is nice.