Grover tried to open his mouth to speak, but before any sound came out, Ruby and Irene felt the sting of the cattle prod and screamed. The artists in the Square turned to stare and began to come toward them.
“Let this be a lesson, old woman. Don’t fuck with me.” He turned, waving at the artists. “Nothing to see, folks. Just two crazy old ladies.”
One of the artists stared at the men and shook his head.
“Shows what you know. You may have just signed your death warrant. Miss Irene, Miss Ruby, y’all okay?”
“No,” said Ruby. “Get us to our car, please, Tuck.”
The politician and his men stared at the crowd helping the two old women. He couldn’t understand why they were helping a couple of crazy old ladies. They were probably homeless and insane. It didn’t matter. They wouldn’t get in his way again.
“Sir, I think those women are affluent. Did you see the jewelry on them?” said one of his men.
“Probably knock-offs,” said the man. “They’re gone now. Let’s get to work.”
CHAPTER SIX
“I need to sit, Ruby,” said Irene, taking a seat in the grove.
“I’m gonna get Matthew.”
“I’m here,” said the man walking toward them. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s a long story, Matthew, but she’s hurt. I’m gonna get the bandages ready in the big house. Bring her on over when she’s able,” said the old woman, practically running toward the mansion.
“My love, what happened?” he asked.
“Oh, Matthew. It’s such a long story, but there’s a man runnin’ for office in New Orleans, and he wants to tear down the live oaks in Jackson Square.”
“He can’t do that,” scoffed Matthew.
“I know, I know, but I stood up to him, me and Ruby, and he took a cattle prod to the both of us. I’m hurtin’, Matthew.” Matthew huddled close to her, whispering sweet things, then gently guided her toward the house.
Millicent watched from the door of the cafeteria as she prepared the meal for the evening. Sara walked up to her, wondering if she was okay.
“Millicent, you good, honey?” asked Sara.
“I’m not sure. I’m worried about them,” she said, pointing.
Sara watched as they shuffled slowly toward the big mansion. They didn’t live there any longer. It was only Claudette and Jake.
“Shit. Stay here,” she said, racing back up to the front. A few minutes later, Gaspar, Miller, Luc, Antoine, Rafe, Baptiste,Alec, Suzette, Marie, Camille, Adele, and Rachelle went running across the grove toward the house.
“What’s going on?” asked Trevon, standing next to his new wife.
“I’m not sure, but I don’t think it’s good. Everyone except Gabe and Claudette went running toward the house.” Trevon looked down at her and frowned.
“I think that’s because they’re already there.”
“He did what?!” screamed Gaspar. As he yelled, Irene moaned as Riley and Kelsey dressed her wound.
“We’re almost done, Mama Irene,” said Kelsey. “I think he hit you exactly where he got you the other day. It’s going to hurt for a bit, but you can go to the pond tomorrow, and you should be fine.”
“Miss Ruby, who is this man?” asked Miller.
“Allen Snow. He’s running for mayor but ain’t qualified to run for garbage collector. Irene heard him talkin’ about clearing out the Square and everything around it. We can’t let him do that,” she said, staring at the children she thought of as her own. In fact, one of them arriving late was her own.
“Grandma! Grandma, are you okay?” asked Carsen.
