Sugar Doll's Hurricane Blues by Kalua Lauber Read Free Book Online Page A

around abruptly and blurted out, “What do you want? Are you looking for a good time? You want to see what it’s like to be with a black girl so you can have something to talk about with your redneck buddies?”
    Remy was visibly hurt by the comment but the slight was only temporary. His good natured grin returned just as quickly. “No darling, I think you got talent.”
    “Then what’s all the flirting about?” Sugar Doll asked confused.
    “I’m a natural born flirt darling. Now you are pretty, I’m not gonna lie but I got a girlfriend. I wouldn’t talk about you to my buddies either.” Remy smiled easily holding her at arms length and regarding her carefully. He had a sexy way about him.
    “Why? Because I’m black?” Sugar Doll continued with her bravado. She was deadly attracted to the man and she was trying to do anything to insult him, to alienate him, to get him away from her.
    “No Sugar, it’s not because you’re black, it’s because you are a lady and you’re right, my friends are rednecks.” Remy laughed at this and rubbed Sugar Doll’s arms in a brotherly fashion. He released her as she stood there speechless. He gave her a playful punch on the arm and they both relaxed and laughed.
    “You got a girlfriend?” Sugar Doll asked playfully.
    “I sure do.” Remy responded proudly.
    “What’s her name? What’s she like?” Sugar Doll couldn’t help herself from feeling jealous.
    “Candy and she sure is sweet.” Remy laughed.
    “Now I know you lying. You making fun of my name?” Sugar Doll asked.
    “Yeah, you right again, I am lying. But you wrong about that name thing, I can see it on a record now. Sugar Doll!” He mimicked a movie director setting a scene.
    “You were jealous for a minute though, weren’t you?” Remy teased.
    He grabbed her affectionately.
    “I don’t date white men.” Sugar Doll said defiantly.
    “Well, I ain’t white, I’m Creole baby.” Remy grabbed her hand.
    “No you ain’t.” She smiled hopefully.
    “Sure I am. C’mon now, let’s go on and get some chicory coffee before your grandma gets mad!”

Chapter Six
     
    It wasn’t long before Sugar Doll was able to convince Big Ma to allow her to sing in the French Quarter. She would be chaperoned by her big cousin Bertrand and her cousin Tonya would stay with her on the nights she had to remain in the city. Big Ma didn’t want Sugar Doll traveling in the rain as the roads were slippery and prone to flood. The club was doing wonderfully and Bertrand was generous with his pay. He was planning on setting up a recording for his cousin. He wanted to be the next Barry Gordie.
    Sugar Doll was just finishing up a bluesy set with the band. It was late and she was ready to head home. She didn’t see Tony sitting at a far away table studying her. He got up and walked toward the beauty. “Hey kid, you got some set of lungs.” He said. Slowly recognizing him she froze when she saw that it was her mother’s white lover. “What’s the matter? Surprised to see me?” Tony reached to give her a hug. Sugar Doll instinctively stepped back. She knew the sick relationship he had with her mother and she wanted no part of it.
    “What do you want?” She asked hoping that he would go away.
    “You mother wonders why you don’t come to her club to sing.” Tony responded.
    “I don’t have a mother.” Sugar Doll said bluntly.
    “Sure you do kid. She’s doing good too, better than this dump.” Tony looked around as though he were assessing the place.
    “Call it what you want.” Sugar Doll shrugged.
    “It’s a dump, kid.” Tony shrugged.
    “Haven’t you noticed? I’m not a kid anymore.”
    “Yeah I noticed, but then your momma wouldn’t like that.” Tony gave a sly grin as he took out a cigarette to smoke. He tapped it against the pack, an old habit, and lit it. With the smoke curling around his head he looked like the devil. He was still drop dead gorgeous.
    “Why are you here asking and not my mother?