Eve's Bayou

1

Woman:
Memory is

a selection of images,

some elusive,

others printed indelibly

on the brain.

The summer I killed my father,

I was 10 years old.

My brother Poe

was nine,

and my sister Cisely

had just turned 14.

The town we lived in

was named after a slave.

It's said that when

General Jean Paul Batiste

was stricken with cholera,

his life was saved by the medicine

of a slave woman called Eve.

In return for his life,

he freed her and gave her

this piece of land by the bayou.

Perhaps in gratitude,

she bore him 16 children.

We are the descendants of

Eve and Jean Paul Batiste.

I was named for her.

(Cajun music playing)

He'd better grab it now

while it still fits in his hands.

From what I hear,

it ain't just him giving it.

Do tell.

Don't let nothing fall out,

or I might have to catch you.

Don't hurt yourself

with that thing.

Harry...

why do you always do that

when we're drunk?

Put down the camera,

darling.

My baby Mozelle thinks

pictures make her look fat.

Put down the damn camera.

Harry. Here's

your favorite niece.

Oh, there she goes.

Hold on, sweetness.

Hey, Red.

What you got for me, baby?

A kiss and a chocolate...

for a price.

Well...

what do I get for this?

Two kisses and all

the chocolates you can eat.

That's my baby.

Here you go, sweetie.

- Thank you.

- Eve?

Where did you get those

delicious-looking chocolates?

You told me

to help serve, Mama.

This tastes kind of good.

Crunchy.

Well, don't just stand here

and let Harry eat them all.

Mama:

There's my baby boy.

Are you having

a good time, honey?

Chocolates, Poe?

They're beans.

Chocolate-covered beans.

Eve Batiste!

"Tybalt, Mercutio,

the prince expressly hath forbidden

bandying in Verona streets."

Really, make yourselves useful.

Help me with the champagne.

- Vive les Batiste!

- Bonne chance et bonne sant.

Merde!

Oh, you in trouble now.

Look at Daddy.

You must be so proud.

Your son is the best colored

doctor in all of Louisiana.

Every goddamn woman

in the parish

thinks Louis's

the Second Coming.

I used to be able

to keep up with you.

You're just out of practice,

that's all.

Come on, baby doll,

let's show them how to dance.

Hey, can't

my daughter dance?

Louis:

Elle sait danser, eh?

Hey, Red. Red?

Do you want to dance?

No, thanks.

(squeaking)

- Woman:
I can't see a thing.

- Louis:
Just hold on to my hand.

(moans and kisses)

(clinking)

(Eve sobs)

Come here.

Shh...

Breathe, come on.

Breathe deeply.

Deep breaths.

Deep breaths.

That's right.

- That's right.

- (Eve sobs)

Sorry.

I was asleep.

It's okay, baby.

You scared us too.

You remember

Mrs. Mereaux?

Almost gave me

a heart attack.

Sorry I scared you,

Mrs. Mereaux.

Matty, would you mind going

inside and fixing me a drink

while I talk to my daughter?

Of course not.

Good night, Eve.

Good night, Mrs. Mereaux.

Would you like

to go outside?

- Hey, Willie.

- Bonsoir, Louis.

Daddy loves you so much.

I know.

I know you know.

Do you love Mama?

Your mama...

is the most beautiful...

perfect woman

I ever met.

Your mama's a lady.

And I'll always love her.

Always. Understand?

Daddy?

Yes, baby.

How come you never

dance with me?

How can you say your daddy

never dances with you?

When we're alone and stuff.

But not at parties.

You always dance with Cisely.

Tell you what.

From now on...

we'll dance at every party.

All right?

(Louis chuckles)

Mama:

There you are.

I was looking for you two.

Eve...

it is past midnight.

Your cohorts are

already in pajamas.

I was talking to Daddy.

Well, I guess

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