An Inheritance

Chapter 21

“I hope you’ve finished your homework by answering the questions at the end of section 1 of chapter 6 and studied for the quiz on chapter 5.  Both are tomorrow, bright and early.”  Sam spoke up to him from his position on the blanket. 

The reminder of school wiped the smirk off the boy’s face and brought him down to earth.   “Don’t worry about me, Mr. D.  I’ve got it all down pat.”  The bravado in the boy’s voice made Lauren think he’d be up late tonight finishing the work and studying.  It was all she could do not to laugh.

Several high school girls sashayed in front of Sam, calling out to him sweetly and at the same time, throwing daggers at Lauren from their eyes.  Competition with their schoolmates for Sam was one thing, but a new woman in the picture wasn’t agreeable.  Sam ignored the flirting and gave them just teacherly greetings, but he was very much aware of what their intentions were. 

Lauren leaned over toward Sam, “You must have to ward your students off with a bat, the way they are looking at you.”

Sam snorted a laugh.  “They keep getting ‘older’ and more aggressive each year.  But pretty much they’re just testing their feminine wiles on us older guys, they already know they have the guys in their classes wrapped around their little fingers.  We all know the rules; no harm, no foul.”    

It was starting to get dark and the lights throughout the park were coming on, one by one.  Sam got to his feet and pulled Lauren up.  “The band stops around 7:30, so we had better take advantage of what time is left.”

Lauren and Sam danced the rest of the time together; some ‘oldies’, some Cajun and some slow.  Lauren was relaxed and content in Sam’s arms; she felt she practically glided across the dance area.  At 7:30, the mayor once again took to the microphone and thanked the band and everyone participating for such a great turnout.  He mentioned which band would be playing the following week, and then declared that this Sunday Bayou Jam was officially over.  The crowd clapped and whistled their appreciation for the music while the band began to dismantle their equipment.

With regret, Lauren followed Sam back to the blanket and started to help him clean up.

“Do you still have some time?  There’s no law that we have to leave right away, and we still have that great dessert I was talking about.”

Lauren looked around and saw that although some people were pulling up stakes and heading for the parking lot, there were still quite a few that were still enjoying the surprising non-humid early evening.  Kids were running around playing, and the adults were visiting with friends.

“Sure, I think I worked off dinner with all of that dancing, so dessert sounds great.”

With great ceremony, Sam reached into the basket and pulled out a large container.  Shielding the contents with his body, he laid out two plates and proceeded to place something onto them.  He made a few more motions then “Okay, get ready to feast on the best bread pudding in all of Louisiana!”.   He swung around and placed a plate heaping with bread pudding dripping with a rich-looking sauce into Lauren’s outstretched hands. 

“Oh my god, it smells terrific.  I don’t know how you kept it warm all of this time, but that aroma is heavenly.”

Sam laughed as he watched Lauren inhale deeply over her plate.  “That’s whisky sauce; there’s nothing better.”  Shifting his position, Sam laid on his stomach, leaning on his elbows with his own plate in front of him; Lauren followed suit.

Minutes went by as the only sounds they were making were soft moans of gastronomical appreciation of the treat they were devouring.  Lauren finally pushed away her half-eaten dessert, sat up and groaned.  “This is so good, but so rich.  If I eat one more bite I swear I’ll burst.”