Page 46 of February

Monica laughed and said, “I had to buy anti-frizz everything at the pharmacy to tame my hair in this humidity, and I have no idea how you deal with it in the summer, but it’s beautiful.” She looked out over the water. “I resisted it at first, but it’s beautiful.”

“Mel and I say it’s alive,” Bridgette replied.

“Alive?”

“Yeah, like the city is alive itself. Even if no one lived here, it would still go about its day.”

“And just what would the city of New Orleans do to go about its day?”

“Get coffee and beignets at Café Du Monde.”

“Good way to start the day. Then what?”

“Spend the morning walking around the Square.”

“It would walk around itself?” Monica asked with a smile.

“Just go with it,” Bridgette replied.

“Okay.” She laughed. “Go on.”

“After the walk, it would grab a Po-Boy from Henry’s. He owns this kick-ass sandwich shop. Probably something with shrimp, and maybe the city would get some shrimp and grits later, too. Have you had shrimp and grits?”

“No. I haven’t had a Po-Boy from Henry’s yet, either.”

“You’re missing out. All the best food in the city is in the dives.”

“I’ll have to check it out.” Monica looked at the water. “What would New Orleans do in the afternoon?”

“Riverboat cruise to see the city before, during, and after sunset.”

“And then? The French Quarter?”

“Probably to the art galleries first before they close. Then, the Quarter to celebrate itself.”

“Does it get a drink?”

“Yeah, one of everything,” Bridgette said.

“So, New Orleans is a drunk?”

“Obviously,” Bridgette teased. “The sewer system here is filled with three things.” She held up a finger. “Beads.” She held up another finger. “Poop.”

“Gross.” Monica laughed.

“What do you think a sewer is for, Monica?”

“What’s the third thing?” Monica asked while laughing.

“Oh, booze. Just all the stuff people spill, trip over, or otherwise dump in the streets.”

“You make it sound so nice.” Monica laughed again.

“It gets crazy, but it’s home, and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”

“Have you lived here your whole life?” Monica asked, leaning back on her hands.

“No. I grew up in Baton Rouge, but we moved here when I was in high school, and I stayed after that. My parents moved back to Baton Rouge a while ago.”

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