Beneath The Skin (PILOT) by Heaven Evette Creater (android e book reader .txt) 📕

He wished he could get it down. He knew he was not a good tree climber like his brothers. He picked up a rock and threw it where the ribbon was. He missed. He tried another and missed again. He decided to try one more time and to his luck, it hit the branches and they cracked and fell. But they didn’t come all the way down. Jolie, frustrated, began to look for a different rock. A hand had grabbed him on his shoulder and scared him. It was Pierre.

“Jolie, what are you doing?” He asked frustrated.

Jolie didn’t answer him and instead, looked up at the ribbon.

“Hey!” Pierre yelled a little louder to get his attention. “We’ve been calling and looking for you. You would of gotten us in trouble if went home without you.” He said shoving him a tiny bit.

“I wanted that ribbon.” He said pointing at the branches. “I knocked it down with the rocks and it broke and fell. But It didn’t fall all the way, it got caught.”

Pierre looked at him with a confused face.

“Why would you want that, Jolie? What could you possibly want with something so silly?”

“I want to tie it to my stick.” He answered simply.

“Jolie, we have to go. Father is waiting.” Pierre said shaking his head and taking Jolie’s hand.

“No, I want it!” Jolie said snatching his hand away.

Pierre glared at him.

“I want it…” he repeated a little more calmly.

Pierre sighed and walked over to the tree. He looked for bumps and craters in the tree so he could grab and climb it. The ribbon and branches were tangled on the very end of last branch. Pierre climbed it and reached for it. He decided he would have to stand in order to reach it.He gathered the courage to stand up on it and stretched a little bit farther. Nothing made a sound but the gentle breeze.

“What are you doing!?” Emile shouted from below scaring Jolie.

“He’s getting me that ribbon!” Jolie said with excitement.

He also scared Pierre and he slipped and almost lost his balance. He caught himself on another thick branch above him. He sighed with relief.

“Emile, you asshole!” He yelled.

“Says the one climbing a godforsaken tree for a stupid ribbon!” He shouted back.

“He wants it.”

“All the more reason for it being a stupid idea. Who cares what he wants?” Emile yelled up as he shot a look at Jolie. “If he breaks his neck, it’s your fault, you little shit.” He said shaking his head.

“Don’t curse at him!” Pierre shouted.

“Oh shut up and get the damn ribbon so we can leave!”

“Don’t tell me what to do, I’m the oldest.” Pierre said reaching for the ribbon.

He broke a skinnier and longer branch and used it to knock it loose. It finally fell to the ground.

Jolie excitedly ran over to where it fell. He pick it up and untangled it from the branches. He examined the ribbon and smiled. Pierre climbed down and Jolie ran over to him and gave him a hug.

“Merci, merci, merci!” He thanked.

“You’re welcome brother.” He smiled.

Emile shook his head in jealousy. “That was stupid.”

“It made him happy.” Pierre said looking at Jolie. “You should learn to do things for people just to make them happy.”

“Then who will make me happy?” Emile retorted.

“You brother, are an asshole.” Pierre said as he patted Emile on the back as he walked towards Jolie.

“That’s alright, the world needs a few.” He responded following behind.

“Let me help you. I’ll do it.” Pierre said as he watched Jolie struggling to tie the ribbon on.

Pierre took the ribbon and wrapped it around the stick.

“Emile, put your finger here, so I can tie a loop.” Pierre said as he help the stick steady.

“What for?”

“Just do it.”

Emile stubbornly placed his finger on the ribbon so Pierre could make a knot and a bow.

“Done.” Pierre said pleased with himself.

“Merci, Pierre.” Jolie thanked.

“De rein, Jolie.” He replied.

“If you ladies are done now, I’d like to get home.” Emile said shaking his head and walking ahead of them.

“Don’t mind him, Jolie. He’s an idiot anyway.” Pierre smiled as he wrapped his arm around his brother’s shoulder.

“Why is he so mean lately?”Jolie asked.

“I think he’s still hurting. Mother’s death changed us all a little bit.”

“Poor Emile.” Jolie said looking down at his feet.

“Oui, poor Emile.” Pierre said as they followed behind their brother.

* * *

            Back at home, Charles was shaking hands and accepting the keys to his new shop. The shop was located in the midst of a local flee market. Some people were store owners, mostly whites, and had an actual building to step through, and the others, mostly other poorer people, had wagons with horses or tents, carts and wheel barrels to sell their goods with. The sun was shining and the gentle breeze of the day blew quietly.

“Congratulations Charles, it’s all yours!” Mr. Farson laughed as he shook Charles Hand.

“Why thank you Mr. Farson, It was nice doin business with you!” Charles smiled back.

“And to you as well! You keep her in good shape you hear?” Mr. Farson said as he went and got the deed off of the table and placed it in Charles hands. “Keep her close to you.”

“Yes Sir.” He replied. Mr. Farson smiled at him.

He had an oval shaped head filled in with light blue eyes and a semi long and narrow neck. His teeth were a light yellow when he smiled and they were slightly gapped. He had grey hair all over with a receding hairline. His trousers were brown and he had the matching vest to go over his white long sleeved shirt. He looked to be in his early 70’s, but in great health.

“If I may ask, sir, where do you plan on goin? You know, now that you’ve sold your shop.” Charles asked curiously.

“Well, the Mrs. and I plan on goin up North. You know, get a different view from down here in New Orleans. See what it’s finally like to live “up” a little.” He laughed as he firmly slapped Charles on the back and walked towards the wall to take down a sign. Charles laughed with him.

“Oh is that so? Well…what do yalls plan on doin “Up” North?” he asked with a touch of slyness in his voice.

Mr. Farson turned around slowly with a cheeky smile on his face.

“Well…I don’t know. Maybe we’ll “shack” up!” He laughed. “Well never mind that, how are your boys? I’ve heard from your father that you’ve got three of em! Busy man in Paris, huh?” he asked with a wink.

Charles chuckled. “They are wonderful children. Smart and strong. Beautiful as well, just like their mother.”

Publication Date: 03-20-2015

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