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Charlotte, a black schoolteacher, in the small segregated town of Marksville, Louisiana, in the 1960’s, believes that she is happy until her childhood friend dies. With her emotions in turmoil, she tries to find meaning for her existence and make life-changing mistakes. One of those blunders is an affair with a married man. This threatens her career and could destroy family relationships. What happens during the revival of her spirits as she encounters family tragedy, racism, domestic violence and superstition will alter her life forever.
To purchase, click this link – Waters of the River Red – The Novel.
CHAPTER 1
Marksville, Louisiana, August 1960
What is the meaning of my life? What real thing do I have to show for the sacrifices I have made? These thoughts permeated my being to the point that was unbearable. Tears filled my eyes and I could barely see. I heard the mournful wails of her grieving mother and the youthful hollers of her inconsolable child. Through the blurriness of my tears was the outline of my childhood friend’s anguished husband, as the arms of his brothers held him back from throwing himself upon her casket as it was being lowered into the earth. An awful wail filled the air and I knew it came from him.
“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust,” said the pastor. My own resolve began to slip away and I began to sob uncontrollably. Arms encircled my waistline.
“Aaw Ma chére, she fine now. She in a bett’r place. Wouldn’t come back yuh fur nothin’,” she whispered in my ear, in her strong creole accent. I closed my eyes and turned away from the scene and felt such a pain in my heart that I wished I would faint to get some relief. I nodded my head up and down in understanding. From the center of my being, I summed up the strength to get my emotions under control, so the pain in my chest could ease. I wasn’t sure Keykey would not want to come back to her husband and child, but it was not something I wanted to argue with my mother about at such a moment. Besides that, our faith taught me that she was now at peace.
“Mom, I need to go.” I knew I needed to leave to keep my sanity.
“All right, Bay. Ah know it bees hard on ya. And it so hot out yuh. We kin go if ya wan’.”
My mother only called me “Bay” at times when she consoled me. As a child, after I would hurt myself, she eased the pain with a kiss or a rub and would call me “Bay”. It helped me to relax. As we walked back to our car, arm in arm, we passed by graves old and new. The southern sun beat down upon us and I felt a slight breeze flowing through the pecan trees that lined the side of the fence that bordered the graveyard and the church. In my mind, I could still hear the choir singing the old hymn, “In the Sweet Bye and Bye” from when we went to the graveyard. That song always brought forth feelings of heartache. I remembered as a child, I would stand outside of the church house doors at funerals, and watch family members of the deceased as they filed by the casket in different stages of grief. I would weep incessantly as they wept, because I felt their pain. Now, I was the one who was grief-stricken. Now, I was the one overwhelmed by my sorrow. As my eyes surveyed the landscape, the familiarity of the white wood framed church, the open meadows and the occasional house that dotted the rural neighborhood did not make me feel any better. Tears of sorrow rolled down my cheeks as we left the cemetery and drove home.
Kesandra Richardson, whom everyone called Keykey, had been my comrade in arms for as long as I could remember. We first played together at the age of five. On that day so long ago, we played hide and seek in the green grass and bushes of her parent’s front yard. We did not unglue ourselves from each other until she’d gotten married and I had gone away to college.
When she died peacefully in her husband’s arms, after a long bout with cancer, our bond was broken forever. Keykey told me often that she and her husband, Blaine, always slept intertwined. She could not sleep if she did not lay her head on his chest and feel the beat of his heart. I told her that when I had suggested the same thing to my ex-boyfriend, he’d told me it was too uncomfortable to sleep that way. He’d said nobody could sleep like that. I could hear her voice now, “Oh Char, not my Blaine. From Day One, I have slept on his chest. I know it is selfish of me. But I can’t sleep without it, and he let me do it. He’s never pushed me away one time because he was uncomfortable. Ain’t that something? He let me.” She would then smile and get a far away look in her eyes, nod her head and say, “That’s my man and God knows I love him.”
She’d been so lucky to be adored like that. I closed my eyes and tried to imagine how it must feel to be cherished in that manner.
I realized if I passed away today, I did not have the same feeling of contentment. The goals I’d achieved had satisfied me to a point, but there was still a void deep within my soul. My body had not produced and nurtured another being. No one curled up with me at night and allowed me to feel the warmth of their body.
I felt empty inside as I faced life without her friendship, and envious because unlike her, I felt unfulfilled in my quests for a consequential life.
That had to change. I didn’t know how I would change it. Something was missing and I needed to find out what it was.
This is the end of the Chapter 1. The novel is available in paperback, hardcover and kindle formats. To purchase, click this link – Waters of the River Red – The Novel.
Some of the Testimonials
Sharon Carter Congratulations Sue. Your book is amazing. You are so talented. Carolyn Clarkston The Zion Hill Book Club was blessed to have Susane Lavallais Boykins, author of Waters of the River Red, as our guest today. We had an outstanding time discussing her excellent book, and asking her questions about characters and events in the story. If you haven't read this novel, you've missed a real treat! Thank you Susane for joining us today. We're really looking forward to the sequel! Lindsey Southiseng Looks like a wonderful time! I have really enjoyed reading your book, Susane Lavallais Boykins. Best wishes to you on this exciting journey! Swan Carpenter We read this book for our book club (Sisters Moving Forward). This book will keep you wondering until the end!! Give it a try. Great job Ms. Susane Lavallais Boykins Library Lady This novel was an excellent tale with all the right ingredients--love, betrayal, suspense, family tragedy and unpredictability. The author made her characters so real, it was just like reading about familiar friends and family. I highly recommend this book, and can't wait to read the next Suzanne Boykins novel! Raymond Johnson What a joy to read. A true love story that captures all the emotions. From the beginning you become connected with the characters and the anticipation of what will happen next keeps you turning the pages. The story unfolds through twists, turns and the unexpected. I'd definitely recommend this novel to anyone looking for a great read. Great job Ms. SLB! Toni Boss A page turner from start to finish! I absolutely loves this book! Looking forward to reading more from this talented author!! Sheila Shaw Read your book and absolutely loved it. I could not put it down. From the description of the lives of folks in a small southern town in the 60s, to Charlotte making a way out of no way and of course the family secrets all made for a great page turner. T. S. Hinton As a resident of Louisiana, I found this book both enjoyable and suspenseful. The author took special care in bringing the reader into the depths of the characters inner beings. I could feel the pain and determination of the main characters day-to-day living and felt her sense of drive as she strived to continue living the life she had built for herself. There were several incidents that allowed the reader to share in the darker side of humanity, namely the domestic violence/abuse one of the other characters lived through. The author did not shy away from the effects that domestic violence has on a person's entire family. I would highly recommend this book to anyone as it shows that if a person is determined to succeed, he or she can. Tracy This book established multiple paths within each person’s story that kept you interested in how things would turn out. I could barely put it down; I love the ending but it left me wanting to see how much more Susane's imagination could stir up. I can't wait for book #2 = ) Rolanda Winfield The book was an exceptional read. I was captivated by the characters. It is a must read for southern Louisiana women. Beautiful and tastefully written story with great wicked moments. I can't wait for the next book. I read it in about 2 and half days, didn't want to put it down. I promise you won't be disappointed. Linda Doughty Susane Lavallais Boykins, I FINALLY got a chance to read “Water of the Red River”! I started reading it this morning, and couldn’t put it down. It was so vividly written, that I could picture the scenes as they filtered through my mind’s eye. I can’t wait to read “Loving Josephine.”
To purchase click Waters of the River Red – The Novel.