#lakearea

SALT LAKE CITY — The internal Democratic Party battle that has emerged in this year’s primaries between progressive and moderate candidates will play out Tuesday in an unlikely place, reliably red Utah. A redraw of U.S. House districts has created a solidly left-leaning seat in the Salt Lake City area, prompting a flood of interest among Democrats. Former U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams, who by one…

It was a mid morning on Wednesday with Deja picking her husband up from the airport after his last deployment, the kids were all there, overjoyed that their father would be home. Malachi and Aundrea were particularly happy that their father would witness them on their first morning going into middle school. One the way home Deja received a phone call from her mother regarding an aunt who resided in Iowa, LA who recently passed away.

“Hello?” She waited for a response and her mother said “Deja are you there?” 

“Hi mama”

Her mother paused for a moment and said “Deja, my sister just passed. I got the message about an hour ago. Your aunt Anna had been battling cancer for a while and I really think we need to go down there”

Deja immediately responded and said “Mom, you want to go down there? You avoided that place like the plague when we were growing up” 

“I know dear but I kept contact with her even though we were light years apart. Just think about it. I’m going to go and I would love it if all of my daughters could make this trip with me. Will just at least think about it?”  They ended there phone call and Deja made a call. Clarissa was in the middle of a college lecture when her phone began to vibrate. “Excuse me class, I need to step out it appears to be an urgent matter” “Hello?”    

“Hey Rissa” Deja replied “Did mom give you the news?”

“No, what’s wrong”?

“Our Aunt just passed away and she wants us to go down there with her to pay our respects”

Clarissa went to the restroom for a more privacy and continued “Why? We had not bee down there for a few years and even at that, mom would send us there, however she hated that place! She couldn’t get out of there fast enough”

“I know, I know and I’m not thrilled about this either, but it would mean a lot to mama and it would give us a chance to reconnect with that side of the family, the funeral is Saturday. We’ll talk more this afternoon at dinner, I’ve called a meeting. ”

At dinner, while digging into the feast, Quincy was welcomed home and he talked about his time in the service. He reflected on some of his best and worst times. In the middle of his speech, he is interrupted by Clarissa “So what are we supposed to do about this? Has anyone decided what they are doing regarding the wake?”  

“I don’t work during the summer and I’ve already put in for my two day absence” said Deja.

Yvonne responded with concern “Am I missing something?” 

“Wow” said Deja, “since the cat it out of the bag, I’m going to come out an say it, our aunt Anna passed away this morning, she had been battling cancer for a few years now and her body ultimately gave out, mom want’s us to go down there with her to Louisiana” 

Yvonne always loved visiting Louisiana as a teen and always loved listening to her aunt’s stories when going down.  “I work for myself so going down there is no issue for me, I just don’t know of any flights on such short notice” 

Deja intervened-“I found a flight that leaves out tomorrow, it will land in Dallas, but we’ll have to get a car there and drive the remaining trip”.

The kids and Deja’s mother were eating on the porch, they noticed that their grandmother was quieter than usual. “Grandma” Malachi asked “Are you okay?”

“My heart is heavy at this moment” 

Malachi didn’t ask much more, he continued eating the barbecue ribs and rice dressing that were on his plate though he briefly went in the house to grab a soda out of the ice chest. It was there that he heard his mother talking the travel plans. “Mom?” “Where are you going?” 

“Grown ups are talking” Deja snapped

Malachi, grabbed his soda and returned to the porch. 

“Grandma, what’s mom talking about“ 

“My sister, your great aunt passed away and I am going down to Louisiana. She’s probably trying to decide whether or not to go”

“Mom, told us about her trips in Louisiana but she didn’t really talk about who she was visiting.” Malachi being the inquisitive child that he was asked for more information

“Well baby, I’m from Southwest Louisiana, Lake Charles in particular. The area is referred to the Lake area due to the abundance of the water that runs through the city and it’s surrounding areas.” “The area is known for being somewhat prejudiced towards people of our complexion and race. I came out here for a better life. Your aunt Anna was my closest sister, I’m having some regrets that I did not have better communication with her than I did. We didn’t grow apart, we called each other, but it’s not the same as seeing my sister face to face and I wish I had made more of an effort. I sent your mother and your aunts to stay with her for one week each summer. It gave them something to talk about when school time came around and it allowed them to know their family.” 

“Why did mom stop?” 

“Well that’s another story for another day………I’m hoping that she’ll bring herself to go”

It was getting late and they decided to retire themselves in the house for the evening.