Grandmere's Long Time Friends example essay topic

La Rubia Deep into the swamp bayou of ho uma, louisiana is a tale of a little girl who finds out who she really is and the truth behind her dark past. Theres only one way in and one way out for ruby. When she soon finds out that she has fallen in love with her half-brother the secret becomes more twisted with details that only her grandmother knows, but won't let out. In the bayou at a young age, madame ruby, takes up painting to ease her mind. her grandmother sees the talent she posses and urges her to become one of the greatest. she sets up here paintings at t hier roadside sale to earn extra money. Deep in the swampy woods of Houma Louisiana one night, I find myself lying awake listening to the swamp creatures and gazing at the shadows in the moonlit night. I was anxious that this weekend was supposed to be a big weekend for tourist and Grandmere and I were setting up the road-side sale in the morning.

As I lay tossing and turning in the bed the phone rang in an erie ring. I can hear Grandmere in the kitchen mumbling something, then she soon comes upstairs to awake me. 'Ruby, Ruby, get up honey, we have to go to Louise's house. She's about to have the baby. ' So I calmly get out of bed and put my slippers and nite coat on.

'I'm coming Grandmere' I said, from atop the stairs. I went to my stick like dresser and pulled out my charm bracelet that Grandmere had given me last Christmas and fastened it around my wrist. I quickly ran downstairs and saw Grandmere waiting by the door. I noticed she was carrying some sort of black bag and the flashlight. She grabbed my hand and we took off out the door, slamming the front door behind us; stumbling down the steps.

It was so dark that night I could barely see my hand in front of face. Grandmere knew exactly where to go. She had lived there all her life and could get anywhere at night even without a flashlight. My Grandmere was a very mystical lady, yet everyone believed in her powers and remedies. Grandmere has been called on more than one occasion for a birth.

'Come on Ruby, you " re walking to slow's he said about two steps in front of me as I walked through the swampy trees. I could feel the spanish moss lightly glazing the top of my head as I walked by. I thought we had walked forever and I finally saw some dim lights in a distance. I couldn't really make out that it was a house because the was so run down. The front porch light was on and I heard someone inside screaming. Grandmere quickly went in and found Loise on the floor.

Grandmere told me to get some towels and a basin of cool water. I scrambled to get the items she had requested and the whole time Loise, which is actually one of my Grampere's friends, just screaming like she was in some type of horrible pain. When I came back into the room with the items, I noticed that Grandmere had pulled out a sachet and emerged a little vile. Then I heard her mumble a chant and sprinkle some of that substance on Loise's forehead.

The baby finally started coming and Grandmere helped her through it. All the screaming Loise was doing, I thought she was going to die. After Gradmere finished chanting she told me to stay inside while she went out and blessed the property. Loise's baby was crying in her arms and Loise was crying being overwhelmed with joy at the same time. I took Loise's hand in mine, trying to comfort her the best that I could even though I knew I wasn't. About fifteen minutes passed and Grandmere was still not in here, I was beginning to get worried.

Loise turned her head towards me and said, 'You know your Grandmere knows her gift. There is no way I could ever thank her enough for this. ' I just stood there looking up at her eyes. Grandmere finally stepped in the doorway of the front door, stopping to sprinkle some salt.

'There, no evil spirits will harm your child. ' Grandmere said. 'Thank you, thank you for being here for me. I don't know how I could ever thank you enough. ' Loise said in a humble voice. Loise and her husband just went through a divorce four months prior to her giving birth.

Grandmere continued making her rituals inside the house, chanting at each corner she came to. It was starting to get foggy and damp out and Grandmere got finished up. 'Loise, I have blessed the inside of this house with holy water, everything should be fine and I have checked out the baby and she seems to be healthy. Time for Ruby and I to be on our way, we have a big day at the sale. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to call.

' Grandma said in a reassuring tone. 'I will do. I knew I could count on you. I am going to try to get some rest now. ' she said. I followed Grandmere out of the house where the fog was really starting to set in. I was getting scared.

'Come on Ruby, we " ve got to get back to bed, we only have a couple more hours of sleep, those New Orleanians come early!' I clung close to Gradmere's side as she lead the way back to our run-down, shack by the swamp. It seemed to me like it took more time to get there than it did to get back home. As we approached home, we noticed the front door was ajar. Grandmere reached her hand in her sachet and pulled out a handful of white powder, looked like baby powder, and through it in the air surrounding us. ' The dust cleared from around us and we were nearing the front steps. 'Ruby you stay close behind me, ya hear's he said.

'Yes Grandmere' I said with a cracking voice. Grandmere slowly opened the creaking door and stepped inside with me closely following her every footstep. She took a look around and noticed that a squirrel had gotten into the house. Evidently I didn't slam the door hard enough. Grandmere and I started putting things back in t hier places just as where they should go.

I told Grandmere that I was going on to bed. After all this ton ight I was so tired. 'Ok Ruby, I'll be right up there to tuck you in. ' As I went up the stairs, I looked back and saw Grandmere just starring up at the cracked cie ling. I knew that she was thinking about our financial situation that we were in and I have tried and tried to make her happier and assure her that things will get better. I traveled the rest of the way up the stairs and into my bedroom.

As I do every night, I go into my top dresser drawer and pull out a picture of my mother and pray that one day I will get to see her. I have never known her but Grandmere said that she was a fine woman. In the picture she has long red hair, hazel eyes, long legs, and a smile to take your breath away. Grandmere said that I reminded her a lot of my mother. Grandmere really didn't talk that much about my mother, but when she did it was always delightful. I said my prayers with my mothers' picture beside me and then put it back in the top drawer, in a white handkerchief folded neatly.

I had just taken off my charm brac let when I heard footsteps coming up the stairs. I quickly slipped into bed like I had already fallen to sleep. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Grandmere step foot in the room. 'Ruby...

Ruby... you still awake?' I heard her say but I lay frozen. She came closer to the side of the bed where my head lay. 'Ruby, sleep tight sweet. ' she said as she kissed my forehead as she always does then quietly walked out of my room and down the stairs. The next morning, five o'clock came early. I heard Grandmere stirring around in the kitchen and I smelled her famous Jumbalaya she was preparing. My Grandmere is a really special person to me.

She is the only one who has raised me and helped me when I needed it. She does her best to do for us and I am always appreciative but I just feel quilt y about not contributing anything. I got dressed in my best out-fit for the day. All the tourist were going to be in town and I wanted to impress them. They are all the type who are lavished with money. I wish I could be one of those people one day so that I can help Grandmere.

I started downstairs and the smell of the Jumbalaya was so awakening. 'Ruby dear, are you up yet?' I heard Grandmere calling from across the kitchen. 'Yes Grandmere and everything smells wonderful, I'm sure all the tourists will love t hier lunch. ' Grandmere had all the hier looms and crafts gathered by the front door which was adjacent to the kitchen. 'Ruby, could you please get the rest of the things together for the sale, and anything you want to set out today, make sure you get them together. ' Grandmere said.

She finished pouring the Jumbalaya into the serving pot and I neatly piled the rest of the heirlooms by the door. It was really good weather for a road-side sale today. There a was a blue clear sky and the birds were out chirping. The swamp hawks were already out and searching for circus for food. I carried the items out to our usual spot where we set up. Some frequent tourist knew where we set up at every weekend and knew Grandmere's lunches were so tasteful.

We had gotten everything set up and I went over to the little sitting area that had a concrete bench planted facing the dirt road that leads into the Parish. I usually come out to this space to have some quiet time and to do some thinking. I always thought about my mother; who she was, what she looked like and things of the sort. I sat there listening to the day critters and watching some of the tourist pass by. The scenery was really beautiful in that area. I think that's mainly why the tourist come to this area.

There was something about this place I could not resist Being a young teenager, I was depressed during this time of my life. I had no one to call mother or father; the only one I knew was my Grandmere who gave me love, guidance, and everything I needed. I knew there was surely a way out of all this. I mean, living here in the swamps was my way of life, a part of life that no one could take away from me. This place was so mystical and beautiful that there was surely some way of capturing all this. I pulled out my sketch pad and started sketching some scenes of where I was at.

The weeping willows that flowed with the gentle breeze, and the distant gators that remained anonymous among the life of the swamp land. Two hours had passed and I was shading in my portrait. I didn't think it was the greatest, but it was my interpreted illustration of where I was from. A few tourist had passed by but never distracted my attention from where I was. After I go finished I showed it to Grandmere. She fell in love with it and told me that she was going to frame it and hang it in the house.

"Ruby, now you certainly have found your talent. I am pretty impressed with you. Keep on doing what you are doing". she said in a delightful manner. Some of Grandmere's friends had came through and she was talking with them about us coming to church Sunday morning. Everyone of Grandmere's friends knew when we wasn't at church. It was almost like they were keeping a diary or something.

"I head that Loise had here baby the other night" Mrs. Thadeous said. One of Grandmere's long time friends. Grandmere had told me that Mrs. Theodeous was one of her long time school mates and was her support when Grandpere and her were going through difficult times. Grandpere had gotten into a real alcohol problem and Grandmere knew that it wasn't going to subside, so soon after about a year Grandmere divorced him. He moved to the other side of the swamp land while she remained in place at our place. She didn't have many male friends to help her out around the house, so she had to improvise the best she could.

Grandmere and I didn't live a poor life but one that wasn't lavished with great things either. I was happy living where I was, but there always seemed like there was something missing.