Then and Now

"Is this your first time in New Orleans?" The waiter squatted next to Katherine. She brightened.

"Well," she said, straightening her back against her chair, "it's my first time -- and my sister's, too -- but it's not the first time for my mom and dad. They've been here lots of times before."

A pigeon ran under the table; the waiter smiled. "Your mom and dad must really like New Orleans if they've been here lots of times."

"They do! One time, my mom said --- "

"Well, not lots of times," I interrupted, not waiting to hear what I'd said. "We've been here a few times. It's a great city."

"It really is," he said, shifting toward me. "I'm from the West Coast myself, but I like it down here. Anyway, can I get you guys something?"

***

"Hey Em, remember that time we got stuck in the rain?"

"How could I forget? It was falling in sheets; the sky just -- opened -- without any warning. We started running, remember?"

"It didn't matter though. We got drenched."

"Drenched in an instant. At least it was warm, though. We were soaked through to the skin."

"And we ran to that little coffee shop and bought beignets."

"That's right! Hey, did you know that place is famous? I had no idea!"

"No, but I'm not surprised. We never looked at the internet back then."

"True. You know, I don't think we even took any pictures on that trip."

"We didn't have a camera yet, remember?"

"That's right! I remember it all so well though. The cafe was almost empty and we sat on the veranda and watched the rain. There were all these weathered-beathen stone pillars, remember? And I saw birds roosting in the rafters. There were pigeons hopping under the tables there, too. We couldn't stop laughing even though we were dripping with rain. It's one of my favorite memories with you."

"It's one of mine, too."

***

 "Chris, are you awake? Do you think we should get her?"

"Penny?"

"She just keeps coughing."

"I know. Poor kid."

"Maybe we should take her to the bathroom and run the shower. Steam might help."

"Okay. I'll warm up the water. You get her."

"All right."

"Wait. Chris, you hold her. She's heavy."

"Okay."

"Here, go to Daddy, sweet girl. Sh, sh, sh, that's right. Rest on Daddy; it's okay."

"Poor baby." Chris leaned against the counter with Penelope in his arms. I rested my back against the door.

"Remember that hotel we stayed in --- was that on the same trip with the rainstorm or a different one?"

"I don't know. I can't remember. I know what you're talking about though. The hotel with the weird drain?"

"Yes! The one where the shower drain was right in the middle of the bathroom. I'd never seen anything like that before."

Chris laughed. "Little did you know that was only the beginning of you and me staying in weird hotels."

"That's for sure. It was funny though."

"I don't think that was the rainstorm trip. I think that was the one where you drank the Hurricane."

"Oh, ugh, you're right. I remember you leading me to the car afterward. Hey! What happened to the souvenir cup that got me?"

"I don't think we kept it. You'll have to drink another one."

"Ha! No, thanks. --- How's she doing?"

"I think she's asleep."

"She hasn't coughed for awhile. The steam must've helped. Let's put her back to bed, okay?"

"Okay."

"Hey, Chris?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm glad I'm here again with you."

"Me, too."