Under the Sassafras (16 page)

“
I got a ride with one of Mrs. Broussard's friends. I couldn't sit in that house and wait to hear about my grandson. How is he?” MaeMae asked.

Joelette noticed her mother-in-law had
seemed to age over the last few agonizing hours. Deep lines of worry and fear etched into her face.

A nurse entered the waiting area and walked up to Joelette
. “The doctor said everything is going great and they should be through in the next half hour.”

“
Thank you so much for finding out some information for us. You've been very kind.” Then she picked up Ozamae, gave him a tight hug then sat him beside her. If only she could hold her children close, throw a protective cover over them and never let them get hurt, life would be much easier.

Joelette turned to MaeMae and let out a sigh of relief
. “What we know is that he has a large gash on his right leg that required stitches, and the same leg is broken. The break required surgery to repair some splintered bones. He isn't conscious, but the doctor is not worried. He's going to need a lot of spoiling and I think I know just the person.” Joelette hugged MaeMae as they both cried.

A surgical nurse soon approached them
. “Mr. and Mrs. Beniot, the doctor wants to talk to both of you. Your son came through surgery fine and is now in recovery. As soon as we think it is alright we will bring him up to intensive care.”

“
Why intensive care?” Joelette held onto Mansir's hand so tightly that she knew it hurt.

“
It's common practice when someone comes out of surgery. He'll wake up soon and then he'll be sent to a private room.” The nurse continued. “If you will please follow me. Your son looks more like you, Mrs. Beniot, than your husband.”

“
He's not... Never mind.” She could not go into that room alone. No way was she going to tell this woman Mansir wasn't her husband. She needed Mansir right now whether it was right or wrong. She needed his strength. Joelette held on to Mansir as they followed the nurse.

“
Why didn't you tell them I wasn't your husband?” Mansir asked after the nurse left.

“
I just couldn't hear bad news by myself. I needed you to be with me. I apologize. You've done enough without having to baby-sit me.” She shook her head.

“
There's no other place I would rather be than by your side. T-Boy is going to be okay. He's a tough little guy.” Mansir put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her head down on his chest.

The surgeon stepped into the room.
“Hello. I'm Dr. Benjamin Bello. Your son went through surgery just great, but I'm a little worried that he hasn't regained consciousness. I want to keep him in ICU at least overnight for observation. His leg will heal fine. The young have a way of bouncing back rather quickly. He'll need to be off his leg for at least six weeks.” Looking at his watch, he said, “If you don't have any questions, I'm needed for another surgery this morning. I'll check on him before I leave the hospital today.”

“
Will he need any physical therapy? And when can we see him?” Mansir rubbed Joelette's hand as he spoke.

“
I don't think he will need therapy but we’ll wait and see how he heals. The nurse will let you know when he is out of recovery. I heard you did a brave thing today, Mr. Beniot, it must have been hard to know your son was one of the children on the bus. I heard through the grapevine that all the children have been released, except your boy and a little girl. The bus driver is being held for observation, but he seems fine. Having so few injures in this kind of accident is indeed remarkable, sir. It is a pleasure to shake your hand.”

Mansir shook his hand and choked back the lump in his throat
. “It was the hardest thing I've ever done. Thank you, Dr. Bello.”

Joelette watched as the doctor walked away
. Thank God for men like him trained to put little boys back together again. She looked up at Mansir, his face knitted in worry.
And thank God for brave men who put themselves in harm's way to save little boys' lives.

The efficient little nurse led them down the hall to ICU
. The temperature in the ICU was freezing and T-Boy looked small lying in the hospital bed. Joelette rushed to his side and kissed his cheek.

“
Oh baby, I'm so sorry this happened to you. Mama's here, everything is all right. Wake up and give your mom a big old smile.”

Joelette could taste the salt from the tears running into her mouth as she whispered in her son's ear
. She felt someone's hand on her shoulder pull her back; she turned to see Mansir's strong face.

Joelette fell into his open arms and cried
. “It could have been much worse. I saw the place where the bus would have gone over the side into the water. They would have all drowned if you and Possum hadn't come along when you did. My son could have drowned.”

“
But he didn't, Joelette. Take a deep breath, you don't want to scare T-Boy. Everything is all right now.”

She let go of Mansir and walked over to a box of tissue then wiped her eyes and blew her nose
. “You’re right. T-Boy needs a mother that is in control of herself, not some cry baby.” She pushed a strand of hair off her son's forehead and kissed the spot where a bruise discolored the skin.

“
Mr. Beniot, I'm sorry to bother you, but there is a waiting room full of reporters who want to talk to you. Could you please give them a brief statement so they will go home? Your son will be in good hands. I'll stay with your wife until you return,” said the nurse.

“
Go. You need to do this,” Joelette said. “I'll sit in this chair and hold T-Boy's hand. Oh, and if you can tell MaeMae and Ozamae what's going on. Maybe they could come in and see him for a brief time. Go, we'll be fine.” Joelette watched as Mansir bent over T-Boy.

“
I think you might want this when you wake up, little man. I won't be long.” Mansir laid a small object on his pillow and walked out the room.

“
You sure have some man.” The nurse whispered as she tended to the different tubes coming out of T-Boy.

“
He is quite the man.” Pride filled Joelette's heart. If only it were true, if only he was her man.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Joelette waited for Mansir to return. The nurse came in and turned on the television. “I thought you might like to see your husband on the six o'clock news.” The nurse left the room with Joelette staring at Mansir talking straight into the camera.

“No. I'm not the boy's father. I'm sorry I don't know my name. This family took me in after finding me in the swamp with a head injury. My doctor says I have amnesia, and the Benoit's have generously provided me a refuge to recover.”

“Can you tell us what you do remember?” The reporter held the microphone close to Mansir's mouth.

“I remember little bits and pieces of a past life. But this is not about me. You need to talk to the children that survived this ordeal.”

“Are you actively looking for a family you might have left behind?”

“Has anybody contacted you about who you might be?” asked one reporte
r after another.

“Tell the viewing audience what they call you, sir.”

Joelette watched as a small blonde woman pushed the other reporters away and edged closer.

“One of the boys named me Mansir and I've gone by that name for the last few months.”

“Aren't you curious?” she asked.

His jaws tightened and he leveled his gaze at the reporter. “Of course I want to know who I am and where I come from. But, lady, I just don't remember. If you will excuse me I need to get back to a very brave little boy.”

The TV station switched back to the anchor reporter. “That was a live report from the Lafayette hospital where an unlikely hero repaid a debt to a family who took him in by saving their little boy. If anyone knows this man please notify KOAL at any time. The phone number is at the bottom of your screen.”

He had announced to the world that he didn't know who he was. Mansir wouldn't be an unknown hero for long. Joelette felt a huge lump in the pit of her stomach. Someone would know him and claim him. Who wouldn't? Her heart beat faster. Her gentle giant was going to leave them. The pain strangled her.

“Mama, are you crying?” T-Boy's voice barely a whisper pulled her from despair.

“Oh baby, you're awake.” She wiped her cheeks. “I'm not crying, I just have something in my eyes. Are you in any pain? The nurse said they could give you something.”

“I'm okay. What happened?”

“The school bus was in a accident on the bridge over Whiskey Bay, but you're all right.

“I remember the bus sliding, and the other children were crying and screaming. I don't think I screamed, Mommy. I just laid down on the seat and waited.”

“Don't think about it right now. Try to get some rest.” Joelette's heart broke thinking about how scared all the children were. How scared T-Boy must have been.

“Did everybody die in the accident? How did I get here?”

“No darling. No one died. Mansir and Possum saved all of you. Mansir wouldn't stop looking until he found you in between some seats. He saved your life, T-Boy.”

“I don't remember what happened after I laid down. Is this how it feels for Mansir not to remember?”

She knew the tears flowed freely now, but she hoped T-Boy was too tired to notice. “Shush, now, you will tire yourself out.” Joelette ran her fingers over her son's soft cheek.

“My knight. I lost my knight.” T-Boy tried to sit up.

Looking for what Mansir left on T-Boys bed, she found the small wooden object. “Here it is.” Joelette put the small-carved knight in her son's hand. “Mansir saved him too. Now lie still.”

“He's a real live hero, isn’t he, Mom? And he belongs to us.” T-Boy closed his eyes and drifted to sleep.

”Yes, he is, my darling, a real live hero.” Joelette sat back down at her son's bedside. “But he doesn't belong to us. Not any more,” she whispered.

###

After twenty-two hours at the hospital, exhausted and emotionally drained, Mansir and Joelette went home.

Joelette broke the silence. “I can't thank you enough for all you have done. I can never repay you.”

“Don't, Joelette. I owe you
more, you could have just left me in the swamp. Or at the doctor’s office, but you didn’t, you took me in. Besides, the field has a few more days of work.” He looked at the sky. “The clouds have lifted and the ground will soon be dry. Possum said he would come over and lend a hand. By this time next week, we will have those beans in the ground.”

“Now who's talking nonsense? We both know that since your interview with the local press, and it was picked up nationally, it is just a matter of time.” Feeling the tears once again start to form, she turned her head toward the window.

Mansir sat in silence.

“Someone will see your picture and come for you. You don't have much time.”

“Joelette, I . . .”

“Don't. We both knew that you were here for only a little while. It's time, Mansir. Time to know who you are, and who you’re tied to with that ring.”

He sighed heavily. “You’re right. I do need to know. I want to know.” He put his head down. “Doesn’t explain why I’m so unhappy.”

“It's always hard to tell friends goodbye.” The tears fell out of her control.

“All of you are more to me than friends. You're my family,” Mansir's voice broke. “Even Possum,” he added with a sad chuckle.

Joelette could tell he also had to choke back tears.

She wiped her tears on the back of her hand. “We will be home soon and Ozamae can’t see us sad. It's going to be hard enough when he has to know.”

Mansir nodded and they road in silence the rest of the way.

Ozamae ran to meet the truck. “How's T-Boy today? Did he get to eat ice cream for breakfast? When is he coming home?”

“Slow down, son.” The word seemed to hang in Mansir's throat.

Joelette pulled Ozamae to her unhinging him from Mansir. “Let go of Mansir's leg and give him a chance to freshen up. T-Boy is doing great. He might get to come home by the end of the week.” She ruffled his hair. “And where did you get the idea of ice cream for breakfast?”

“When Martha Sue went to the hospital she got to eat ice cream for breakfast,” Ozamae said. “Can I wait for Mansir in my room?”

“Yes, I’ll call you, I promise,” Joelette said.

MaeMae motioned for her to sit beside her on the porch.

“MaeMae, it's going to be so hard to see him leave. I should never have given into my feelings for him. This is why I didn't want to become attached to another man.”

“He's not gone yet,” MaeMae said. “Who knows? Maybe nobody will claim him. The main thing to remember is that he's not just another man. He's Mansir. And you're not the only one that loves him.”

Joelette saw the red-rimmed eyes of her beloved mother-in-law. “I got so wrapped up in my feelings I forgot that someone else might be hurting too. I know you care for him.”

“Like a son.” MaeMae blew her nose on one of the hankies she kept stuffed inside her sleeve. “Just like a son.”

“The doctor said that T-Boy would be good as new in a couple of months.” Joelette sat back in the chair and propped her feet up on a stool. “He's so lucky, MaeMae. If Mansir hadn't come along when he did, I shudder to think what might have happened. Anybody else and they wouldn’t have known he was still there on that bus.”

“You're right. I knew Mansir was here for a reason and maybe T-Boy's it.” MaeMae sat straighter and looked at Joelette. “So we should stop our pity party.”

“Right. Nothing is going to happen tonight to dampen that joy. Let's make use of the moment,” Joelette said as Ozamae and Mansir walked out onto the porch hand in hand.

“Mansir when I'm T-Boy's age will you make me a chess set like his and teach me to play?” Ozamae asked.

The knot in Joelette's stomach grew so large she thought she would choke.
He won't be here, baby
. She wanted to scream the words.

“I hope so, son,” Mansir answered.

Joelette knew with every cell in her body that Mansir was in as much pain as she was and it took all his strength to say those words.

###

“Excuse me sir, could you tell me where I might be able to find the Benoit house? The man at the Wag-A-Bag told me to follow this road, but I've been down it twice, and I can't seem to find any house.”

Possum opened one eye, then the other. Standing in front of him was a dream. A tall woman with hair so red it looked as if it were on fire. Allowing his eyes to follow her body down, his mouth flew open. Lord, her legs, went on forever and hung loose out of white shorts. The sun shown behind her and formed a halo around her head preventing her facial features from being visible. Her bell-like voice hypnotized him.    

“Do you speak English?” she asked.

“
Oui
, I mean yes.” He struggled to a sitting position on his hammock, he had to steady himself from falling to the deck of the boat. “Now what did you ask me?”

“The Benoit house? Do you know where I can find the Benoit house?” This time her voice was louder and much slower.

“Listen, I don't think I'm so well today. I need a drink. Want something? I'll tell you where you can find the place you are searching for, after you answer some questions for me.”

“A bottled water would be nice, thank you,” she said.

He poured a cup of his famous thick coffee for himself and fetched a water from the fridge for the lady.

The redhead stood where he'd left her. Possum stopped in the door of his houseboat and watched, as she looked his boat over. He heard a strange humming coming from her lips.

“Sorry I’m having a time finding my shoes. My manners, you’d think I left them in the barn.” Possum followed the stare of her eyes to his mid section. Was his fly open? Had he forgot to zip his pants?  A nervous twitch developed in one eye. Possum could hear his heart beat in his temples. He was falling apart piece by piece, all because of this woman.

“Excuse me for staring, sir,” she said.

Here it comes. She’d tell him to zip up or that he had a big glob of something staining his shirt. Blood rushed to Possum's face, as he waited for what she had to say. He watched as she tilted her head to the side.

“Are you drinking espresso?”

“What?” Possum's voice at lease an octave higher. “What did you say?”

She pointed at the clear glass cup he held filled with coffee and answered. “Is that espresso?” Her speech was deliberately slow, as if speaking to a doodling old man.

“Lord, I swear I am of good mind. I know you can’t tell it, can you?” he asked with a chuckle. “This is my coffee, thick and strong, would you like a cup?”

“I’m in a real big hurry, could I have it to go?” She sat in the chair and crossed her long thin legs. Possum watched, as it appeared to happen in slow motion.

She made noises of pleasure as she drank the coffee no one else in the Parish would touch. She'd won his soul.

“My name is Possum, but you can call me Raymond.” He held out his hand after wiping it on his pants leg. “Now tell me again, who are you looking for?”  He found his shoes under his hammock and started putting them on.

“Hello Raymond. My name is Sara. I'm looking for my brother, William. The police in town said I could find him at the Benoit house. I really need to see him.”

Possum sat on the edge of his chair and ran his hand through his hair. “Your brother?” Peering at her he began to grin. “Now I see it. The hair color is different, and your eyes are green where his are blue, but the height and smile are the same.” Slapping his leg he said. “Damn, Mansir has a sister. Does he know? No, how would he know? He has no memory.”

“Who is Mansir? Do you know my brother? If you know where he is could you tell me how to get there? When I saw him on television I couldn't believe it was William. He looked so good. Please, I need to see him and touch him to see for myself he is alright.”

“Mansir is what we call him around here. What did you call him?”

“William. William Lee Matherson to be exact. You said he doesn't remember. Anything?” She reached up and tried to secure an unruly curl that bobbed in her face. A deep frown covered her forehead. “How well do you know him?”

“Wow, that's quite an impressive name. Mansir, I mean, William and I are good friends. We shrimp together, drink together, and work together. We even save lives together. He's quite a guy. Tell me more about him while we go to your car and  I'll take you to him.”

“Where do I start? William is five years older than I am and has always taken care of me. Not that I needed taking care of, you understand. He's just always been there.” She drank the rest of her coffee. “We grew up in southern California with  loving parents, who are both deceased. He's the CEO for a very large computer company. Can I tell you more in the car? I'm really anxious to get to him.”

Possum couldn't remember where to put the cup she handed him so he threw it onto the hammock.  A CEO to a computer company, Mansir was different than they thought.

“Is he rich?” Possum couldn't believe those words fell out of his mouth.

“Very rich. Why? Do you think you need a reward?” she asked with a chuckle.