Twisted Oak: A Sexual Odyssey (32 page)

“Miss Nez,” Marie-Louise called out as she and Jackson approached the terrace, “good morning. Master said we could sleep in. Happy birthday, Mr. Delacroix.” She was all smiles, wearing a gossamer shift printed in flowing pink flowers.

Mr. Delacroix gently pushed me away. “Sit, Nez.”

I sat and waved to Marie-Louise. “Good morning,” I smiled.

“Mornin’, Jack, I trust you slept well?” Mr. Delacroix said. He ignored the birthday wish and Jackson didn’t give one.

“We sure did, sir,” Jackson said. “How about you, Miss Nez? You look very refreshed this morning.” He glanced at my reddened wrists.

“I am,” I said as I put my hands under the table.

“Don’t hide your wrists,” Mr. Delacroix said and lifted my hands back where they had been.

“Sir,” Jackson asked, “is it all right if I touch Miss Nez’s hands?”

“I suppose so,” Mr. Delacroix said nonchalantly, raising his paper again.

“Miss Nez,” Jackson said as he took my hands in his, “these marks you have are something to be proud of. They’re a symbol of your belonging, that you’re one of us. They tell me loud and clear that you’re worthy, that you understand and love Mr. Delacroix. It’s okay. No one here will ever judge you because we understand. My dear child, around here those are as good as medals hanging on your chest.”

I looked at Marie-Louise and she nodded in agreement. “It’s good, Miss Nez,” she smiled.

“Thank you,” I said. Thomas brought the coffee and juice.

“Coffee for us, too, Tom, and a couple of those juices. What’s for breakfast?” Jackson asked as he let go of my hands.

“Of course, sir, anything you like, but Chef has prepared banana French toast and eggs to order,” Thomas announced.

“I’ll have the usual,” Mr. Delacroix said from behind the paper.

“Yes, sir.” Thomas turned to me.

“I’ll try a little of the French toast and just one egg scrambled, please,” I said.

Thomas turned to Jackson who replied, “A big piece of French toast and a couple eggs over easy. Do ya’ll have bacon today?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’ll have bacon too and some toast,” Jackson said. “Marie will have two eggs over medium. She doesn’t need French toast this morning.”

“Yes, sir,” Thomas said as he turned on his heels.

“Jack,” Mr. Delacroix said from behind the paper, “you’re eating too much.”

Jackson sat in silence, which infuriated Mr. Delacroix. I could see the paper shimmy as he held his temper. Marie-Louise moved her chair back from the table.

“You’re not on top anymore, old man, and since you think Nez’s marks are a badge of courage, I’ll see you upstairs after breakfast so you can show me just how fucking courageous you are.” The paper shook.

“Yes, sir,” Jackson replied and Marie-Louise moved her chair back in. She looked at me, shrugged, and nudged her head in Mr. Delacroix’s direction.

“Yes, Marie, I am in a mood. Shush now.”

Marie-Louise went pale.

Mr. Delacroix put his papers aside and received his breakfast: three four-minute eggs with fruit scattered about the plate just so. The French toast was sweet and gooey. It tasted more like a dessert than breakfast. Marie-Louise ate hungrily and Mr. Delacroix gingerly; Jackson did not touch his food. We ate mostly in silence, but made small talk about the ibis and the alligator and the squirrels.

“We had a dog once when I was a kid. Remember, Jack?”

“Oh yeah, Mr. Delacroix, she was a sweet dog too, but that damned alligator got her.”

“I was so upset that Dad said he’d get me another, but I couldn’t do it. I was afraid the gator would get that one too and I couldn’t bear it,” Mr. Delacroix said. “I’ll bet it’s the same damned gator that’s there now. They don’t go too far once they reach adulthood, and they live forever. I have half a mind to shoot the fucker, but then we’d be overrun by vermin.”

“He’d make for good eating, sir,” Marie-Louise said.

“He sure would, Marie.” Mr. Delacroix smiled and seemed to be coming out of his funk.

“Sir, may I ask a question?” I chimed in.

“Absolutely, my beauty,” he said.

“For people that come from the South, sir, you and Jackson don’t have much of an accent. I can hear Marie-Louise’s accent clearly all the time, but not yours. How come?”

“Good question, Nez,” Mr. Delacroix said. “Growing up, I was coached not to drawl when I speak. Both my parents used to correct me all the time when I’d come home from playing with the village kids. Jackson did too, come to think of it. It’s just the way we were taught.”

“Miss Nez, there’s a certain stature given to those who speak well,” Jackson said. “Mr. Delacroix’s station requires him to speak clearly, with intelligence. Added syllables, in some circles, indicates a certain level of, shall we say, laziness and ignorance.” He glanced at Marie-Louise.

“Well, I for one find the Southern accent charming and very sexy. It reminds me of molasses and green grass,” I said.

“Yeah, cher, molasses and green grass. Trust me. In the boardroom you do not want to sound like molasses and green grass,” Jackson said with a laugh. “In the bedroom maybe, but not in the boardroom.”

“Well said, Jack,” Mr. Delacroix said before adding a lilting accent. “But for you, my de-ah, molasses and green grass all the time. I may even pour some of that sweet molasses all ovah your body and lick it all off ya.” He took my hand and licked my arm from the red wrist to my armpit.

“You’re funny, sir,” I laughed.

“Well, Miss Nez,” he said, “I am as serious as a heart attack. I’m gonna take your nekkid body and throw ya down in the green grass. Mark my words, little girl, you can count on it.”

Mr. Delacroix turned to Jackson. “Jack, get your ass upstairs. I’ll be there in about fifteen, so be ready.”

“Yes, sir,” Jackson said and sauntered across the terrace as he unbuttoned his shirt. I noticed Mr. Delacroix looking after him, deep in thought. I wondered if Mr. Delacroix still loved Jack in the old way or hated him in a new way.

“Nez, I gotta go deal with Jack, so I’m leaving you in charge of Marie-Louise.”

“Yes, sir,” I said.

He turned to Marie-Louise and took her chin between his thumb and finger. He brought her face close to his and shook it. “And you better behave yourself!”

“Yes, Mr. Delacroix,” she said with wide eyes.

“Nez, in two hours I want to see you in our sitting rooms. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir.”

He looked at his watch. “That’s at exactly eleven twenty-five, not a minute later. There’ll be hell to pay if you’re late. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir. Eleven twenty-five, no later.”

“Good girl,” he said, and gave me a generous kiss as he walked away.

“Miss Nez, it won’t get easier, ya know, to see him walk away,” Marie-Louise said, seemingly older and wiser, a sudden change in her demeanor.

“I think you’re right,” I said, watching her take a piece of bacon from Jackson’s plate and lean back. “I don’t know where to start.”

“Start wherever you like. You read my letter, didn’t you, ma’am?”

“Yes. I suppose I want to thank you first for being honest. That’s definitely a start,” I said as I poured myself more coffee.

“Miss Nez, I haven’t been privy to much honesty in my life, but god knows I give it. I try.”

“Me too, honey. Me too,” I said. “I think you and I have a lot in common.”

“Master told me that your momma sort of gave up on you and that you don’t have a daddy either and that some other man made you do things, but he didn’t say what, but I know how men are, what they want.”

“He didn’t make me have sex with him, if that’s what you think. My mother is an addict and I guess I got roped into dealing for him to support her habit.” I hesitated. “And then I guess it became my habit too.”

“Oh my god, Miss Nez, that’s terrible,” she said. “Much worse than me, I think.”

“You do?” I asked incredulously.

“He put you in grave danger dealing with strangers. At least my momma tried to protect me. In my case, I was kept at home and didn’t have to venture out with strangers. Sex is natural. It’s normal and feels good. It won’t kill you like addiction will.”

“I never thought of it that way,” I said.

“The bad part was when he beat my momma,” she continued. “She tried to protect me, but he was too much for her. So after a while, I learned how to give in so he wouldn’t hurt her so much. It wasn’t as bad as you might think and I came to like it in a way. He looked after me pretty well until I got older. Master says that I became conditioned and that it’s okay.”

I wondered if that was happening to me, if I was becoming “conditioned.”

“Can I ask how old you were?”

“When, miss?”

“When you lost your virginity.”

“I can’t remember,” she said, clearly wanting to change the subject.

“How old were you?”

“Twenty-one,” I said.

“But aren’t you twenty-one now?” she asked, and then, “Oh my god in heaven, Mr. Delacroix took your virginity. What was it like?”

“Well, it hurt for a bit, but then the pain went away and it felt good.”

“Did you bleed?”

“A little. Mr. Delacroix was sweet. He told me he was honored to take my flower,” I said, fondly remembering his words. “I was honored to have given it to him.”

“He loves you so much, Miss Nez,” she said, nibbling the bacon. “I guess girls like me, girls that are good for only one thing, aren’t deserving of the kind of love you have.”

“Marie, you deserve to feel good and god knows you deserve love. You said so in your letter.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” she said as she lowered her eyes.

“What exactly do you think love is, though? What are you hoping for?” I asked, just to make sure we were talking about the same thing.

She touched my wrists lightly and I looked in her eyes and put both my wrists on the table for her to touch.

“Miss,” she said, “I think this is love, these marks, but I know most people don’t understand. Master told me that we Twisted Oak people are different. He said I’m extra special, which is why it’s best for me to stay here and not venture out. He says people don’t understand me.” She paused. “I’m used to being different and I’m comfortable here. The way we are, all of us, it’s a good kind of different. And this,” she lifted my wrist to her mouth and brushed the redness with her lips, “this is good.”

I pulled my wrist away and said crossly, “Mr. Delacroix has asked you and me to behave. Let’s not disappoint him. It wasn’t easy for me to get his permission for us to have this time together.”

“Sorry, ma’am. I just—” She paused. “You’re very beautiful. I’m sorry.” She lowered her head in shame and my heart sank. The last thing I wanted to do was make her feel worse.

“I’ve been thinking about your situation and it’s clear that neither of you wants to stay in it. I can’t help but think there has to be a way for you to break the collar and still stay here.”

“Miss Nez, please don’t make me go back to the village. The people there won’t understand and my auntie is ashamed of me. She thinks I’m a whore and that I’m the reason Daddy left Momma,” she said. “I may be dumb, miss, but I understand that going back there would be a terrible move for me. It would lower my station and then I’d be ridiculed even more than I already was, than I already am.” She sounded so pathetic. “Master’s right. People don’t understand me. Please don’t make me go back there.”

It was obvious that she was scared to go back. Who could blame her? What a desperate life she must have had.

“I haven’t heard you play the piano yet, but Jackson says you’re very gifted. I’d like to hear you play,” I said, trying to ease her mind.

“And there’s no piano in the village. Don’t make me go! I’ll run away!” She got up and began to run toward the bayou.

“Marie, there’s an alligator down there. Stop!” I kicked off my sandals and ran after her, but she was fast and I was so sore. “No one will make you go to the village. I promise!”

Thankfully, she stopped running and I caught up to her barefoot, out of breath.

“All you people do is make promises. You think this dumb girl will just believe anything?” she cried. “I will not go back there, ma’am, I swear to god in heaven I’ll kill myself first.”

“Honey, you aren’t going back. I know Mr. Delacroix would never do such a thing. I know he wouldn’t and this promise comes from me, Marie, not them, not a man. It comes from me, a woman who understands.”

I put my arm around her and guided her away from the bayou. “We’re a creative bunch. I’m sure we can figure out a way to keep you here at the mansion, just not under Jackson is all. It’s a big house and Mr. Delacroix was talking about refurbishing the children’s wing.”

“Miss, you mean I can stay in the north wing near the piano?” she said with those wide childlike brown eyes.

“No, I never said that. I can’t, because I don’t make promises that I can’t keep. But I promise I’ll talk to Mr. Delacroix.”

“But who will I belong to?”

I found myself looking at her, waiting for the salutation. I heard Mr. Delacroix’s voice in my head:
I'm leaving you in charge of Marie-Louise.
“I’m sorry, ma’am,” she said intuitively, “I’ve forgotten my place.”

“You’re scared, Marie, I understand, but I think it’s better if we follow protocol, don’t you?”

“Yes, ma’am, I do.” We walked back toward the table where Thomas was clearing the men’s plates. She continued, “Have you ever had a master you couldn’t please no matter what you did?”

“No. I’ve never had one before this,” I said.

“Oh.” Her face went far away.

“Before Mr. Delacroix, I only belonged to myself, and I suppose the man who got me on drugs, but that was different. I could leave.”

“You’re smart so it was easier for you, I suppose, but I can’t imagine not belonging to anyone, miss. I wouldn’t know where to begin, even here, let alone going so far like you did.”

Samuel took the tray of dirty dishes to the house and Thomas stood by as we talked. “Ma’am, would you like me to clear your plates?” he asked.

“Marie-Louise, are you finished?” I asked and she took the last strip of bacon.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Yes, Thomas, thank you,” I said and smiled at him.

“Would you care for anything else, ma’am? There’s fresh lemonade,” he said as he bent to take the plates.

“That sounds like a perfect drink for planning, don’t you agree, Marie?”

“Very good, ma’am,” he said without waiting for Marie’s response, “and if I may speak candidly?” he asked.

“Certainly,” I said, a little puzzled.

“The staff is pleased you’re here and I speak for us all when I say it is our pleasure to serve you. They enjoyed meeting you the other day. It’s all they talk about.”

He turned so he was not facing Marie. “We’ve been waiting for the real lady of Twisted Oak for some time. Miss Nez, please don’t hesitate to ring if you need anything at all any time. We’re at your service.”

Marie appeared completely unaffected by his remarks. Apparently she and the staff did not get along. It was obvious she and Thomas only tolerated one another out of loyalty to the family. Mr. Delacroix’s voice rang in my head:
Treat them with respect and they will return the favor.

“Thomas, you’re very kind. Thank you. Please let them know I appreciate them very much. I think we’ll all get along very well.”

He smiled a broad, gleaming white smile. “It’ll be my pleasure, ma’am.” He carried the plates inside.

“So Marie, there are a few options for you, I think,” I said, turning back to her. “Your skills as a musician should be shared, don’t you agree?”

“How, miss? I don’t know what you mean. I play for Mr. Delacroix and Master all the time. I share it whenever I can. I would have played for you last night, but I messed up. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, Marie, there’ll be time for that. But I was talking about maybe playing for people outside of Twisted Oak. In the city there are many places you could—”

She interrupted. “I can’t go to the city. I’ll get lost. Bad men will get me. Master said so.”

“I was in the city and bad men didn’t get me,” I said.

“But they got Sunny and almost killed him. Miss, there are bad men out there. Trust me, I know,” she said, her voice grave. The mere thought of her experiences made me cringe.

“Well, maybe someday you’ll be ready for that. In the meantime, Sunny knows musicians and he knows the business. The manager at his bar, her name is Abby. She knows a lot and I bet she can set us up in a recording studio so you can record your music.”

“Make a record of my own? Oh, I dunno, miss.”

“If you want me to, I can talk to Sunny and see what he thinks. I’m sure you know he’s a gifted musician as well.”

“I like Sunny,” she said.

“Marie,” I said sharply.

“Sorry, ma’am.”

Taking a lead from Mr. Delacroix, I said, “That’s better,” and smiled.

“Yeah, it is, miss,” she smiled. “Sunny’s awesome at the guitar and have you heard him on the violin?”

“No, I haven’t. He told me he plays, but I’ve never heard him.”

“He plays so well. His classical is good, but you should hear him play Cajun fiddle and zydeco. He can fiddle, Miss Nez. He is crazy good.”

“See how many options you have? Maybe you and Sunny can make a record together. I’m sure there are more options that you and I haven’t thought of yet. Mr. Delacroix says the four of us will talk about them this afternoon. Maybe we can brainstorm and come up with more good ideas. I can tell you that Mr. Delacroix said in his very own words that Twisted Oak will never turn its back on you. He said it to my face, so please know the family will always be here for you, Marie. You deserve happiness. Mr. Delacroix said so too, and you have to trust him.”

“So, I’ll just sort of belong to the family?” she asked, still confused by the notion of not being anyone’s submissive.

“That’s how Ty was for a long time before he signed on with Sunny. He didn’t really belong to anyone, but he was part of the family. Maybe you can talk to him about how that went.”

“Miss, he belongs to Sunny now?”

“Yes, since last week. He’s one of us now.”

“I don’t like him, miss. Why does Sunny like him?”

“I love him, Marie. He’s the one who found me, saved me from the bad men in the city. When Mr. Delacroix and I come to live here, Sunny and Ty will come with us, so you better get used to having him around.” I remembered her remarks about Ty being black. “Ya know his daddy’s white.”

“That makes it even worse because then they get all uppity, ma’am.”

She was pressing my patience. Thomas shifted his stance, but his expression remained neutral. His self-control impressed me.

“Ty isn’t like that, and I think speaking in generalities about people you don’t know limits your own knowledge. I suggest you rethink your feelings on this. I’m here only because Ty was kind to me. He’s a good man.”

“He fucked you. You said so. You let him fuck you, ma’am.”

“It was more like the other way around. I fucked him.”

“Why, Miss?”

“Mr. Delacroix told me to.”

“Oh, well, then I understand,” she said. “Did you want to, though?”

“Of course I did. He’s a very kind and gentle man.”

“Big dick, too, miss. I saw it last month, but I thought he was a fag.”

“He is, but you know how it goes when one receives a command from one’s master,” I said.

“So he takes commands from Mr. Delacroix, miss?”

“Yes, just like you do, and Jackson and Sunny, too. He’s one of us.”

“Was it good?” She was at the edge of her seat.

“Marie, please remember for your own sake to address me properly.” My clit tingled. The power was delicious.

“Yes, ma’am,” she immediately responded.

“Yes, it was very good,” I laughed.

“Miss, you’re so adventurous,” she said.

“Just following orders,” I said with a smile.

Thomas presented us with an etched-glass pitcher of bright yellow lemonade with lemon slices floating in it. The sound of ice hitting the sides of the glasses as he poured was a happy one and reminded me of the day before when I had seen Twisted Oak for the first time.

“That’s perfect, Thomas, thank you. I’ll always associate this lemonade with my first day here, and you were the first person I saw,” I said.

“My pleasure, Miss Nez,” he said, and stood by after pouring. I could swear he was eavesdropping.

“I feel better now,” Marie said, “knowing you listen to me, that you understand. I was beginning to think I was wrong about everything. I mean, look where I live and all that I have. Why should I be so unhappy?”

“My dear,” I said, “people require so little, if you think about it. But if we don’t have love, we don’t have anything.”

“Yes, ma’am,” she said as she lifted her glass to her lips.

“Marie, love comes to those who open their hearts and minds to it. The more you love, the more you’ll be loved. It isn’t easy, especially for some of us who haven’t had a lot of love, but open your heart and your mind. Don’t be afraid. I’m here now and everything’s gonna be okay.”