Eve's Bayou

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 9,

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 powerful medicine

of an African 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.

He better grab it now while it still fits in his hands.

From what I hear, ain't just him gettin' it.

You better tell.

You don't let nothin' fall out, baby.

I might have to catch it.

Don't hurt yourself with that thing, boy.

Ain't it lovely?

Did you see Ethel last night? Her face?

She need to get those teeth fixed.

Harry, why do you always wait to do that when we drunk?

Put down the camera, darling.

My baby Mozelle thinks pictures

make her look fat.

Put down the damn camera, Harry. Uh, Harry...

Ohh. Man.

Here's your favorite niece.

Oh, there she go. Wait. Hold on, sweetness.

Hey, red, what you got for me, baby?

A kiss and a chocolate...

For a price.

Well...

A price...

What do I get...

For this?

2 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.

Yeah. Things taste kind of good.

They're crunchy. Something in 'em.

Well, don't just stand here and let Harry eat them all.

Ooh.

Ohh.

There's my baby boy.

You having a good time, honey?

Are you? Hmm?

Chocolates, Poe?

They're bees.

Chocolate-covered bees!

Eve Batiste!

You ate bees! You ate bees!

I'll kill you!

You gotta catch me!

Now you gonna turn into a bee!

Tybalt.

Mercutio.

The prince expressly hath forbid

this bandying in Verona streets.

Really.

Make yourselves useful.

Help me with the champagne.

Vive les Batistes.

Bon chance et bon santé.

Merde.

Ah, you in trouble now.

Look at daddy.

Whoo! Whoo!

Ooh, Roz, look at your husband.

You must be so proud.

Your son's the best colored doctor

in all Louisiana.

Louis got every woman in the parish

thinking he the second coming.

Louis, I used to be able to keep up with you.

Ah, you're just out of practice, that's all.

Come on, baby doll.

Let's show 'em how to dance.

whoo! Whoo!

He, vous aut ga ca!

Can my daughter dance?

Hey, red.

Red, you wanna dance, sweetie?

No, thanks.

Woman, whispering: I can't see a thing.

Just hold my hand.

Shit, don't worry about seeing, all right?

Mmm!

Hmm. Matty.

What the...

Shit.

Come on. Come here.

Come on. Come on.

Come on. Come on.

Shh, shh, shh, shh...

Shh, shh, shh, shh...

Breathe.

Come on, breathe. Breathe deep.

Deep breath.

Deep breath.

That's right. That's right.

Sor...

S-Sorry.

I was asleep.

Aw.

That's ok, baby.

You scared us, too.

Sure did.

All right?

You remember Mrs. Mereaux.

Almost gave me a heart attack.

Sorry I scared you, Mrs. Mereaux.

Uh, 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?

Good night, Willie.

Bon soir, Louis.

Daddy loves you so much.

I know.

I know you know.

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?

Baby, 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?

Heh heh heh.

Mmm.

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 that's legal.

Hey, you...

Are you sober?

Yes, ma'am.

Heh. Just barely.

You have fun tonight?

I bet you did.

Well, go say good night to your Uncle Tommy before I put him down.

I have to? Yes, ma'am.

Then straight to bed

and don't forget to say your prayers.

Never...

cheat the man upstairs.

Ok.

Good night, mama. Good night, daddy.

Good night, baby.

Night-night.

What's wrong with her?

Oh, she'll be all right.

And what about you?

What about me?

You sober?

Barely.

You coming in?

In a minute.

Hey, Uncle Tommy.

I came to say good night.

Par... ty.

Grown party.

Cocktails.

You didn't miss anything. It was boring.

Boring.

Um, yeah.

Well, good night.

Boring.

Hey.

Where were you?

I looked all over.

I was outside with daddy,

then I said good night to the croaker.