A once lavish home ravaged by war, family love survives. |
It is her sixteenth birthday, Papa had promised her lovely things. Returning from Paris to New Orleans, Uncle Percy met the ship at twelve-fifteen. A party was planned in her honor, friends, relatives arriving from parishes miles away. The whole town was talking, a grand social event for the day. Lace, glitter trimmings, gold packages. Hand sown red roses, a gown of Chantilly lace, her long curly hair, secured by pearl pins. All eyes watch Carolyn highlight the stair case. Papa watches his Princess descend. No longer a baby, his last gift from Carmen. Now a young lady with grace and charm. A magnet for Louisiana's hot-blooded men. Papa's gift was last and best, emerald earrings in antique gold to match her sparkling Irish eyes. A perfect gift to look upon by silly young and foolish old. A bloody rolling sea came to their fairy land. Lives change forever as bodies and fortunes fall. Goodbye to grand parties, grim telegrams replace visitors that call. Carolyn's Papa suffers a stroke, all slaves, but his valet, drift away. A faithful daughter is right by his side. She nurses him night and day. The three of them, in surreal dreams, move about like ghosts lost. In a dying castle world, a funeral cover of gray moss. Carolyn's arms gently cradle him, on a journey to join his Carmen. She sings an Irish lullabye, tis peace found in a place without sin. By Kathie Stehr August 17, 2014 |