A Fond Farewell

[Etienne Mbane]

"It has been very good to see you again, mon pere."

Etienne sat with his father and the Jesuit in the rectory, taking tea like they used to do every evening back home. An uncomfortable silence fell over the two adults until Michel finally spoke.

"Mon fils, it is time to go home."

Etienne sat stunned, looking first to his father, then to the Jesuit.

"You have learned to control the Loa when you mule, Etienne," the Jesuit explained. "You are ready to return to your people and make yourself ready for the confrontation."

Etienne sipped his tea, letting his thoughts work their way through his mind. "Den it is coming soon?"

"We don't know dat, mon fils. But your place is not among dese people, but among de Houghan. Always was."

"What 'bout de omens, and needing de White Man?"

"You know now how to depend on outsiders, Etienne. There are heroes in New Orleans that will come help you, if you help them."

"You going to have a bigger responsibility dan just to de Houghan, mon fils. It is time for us to come back to de world."

Etienne set his tea cup down, and nodded. "When do we leave?"

"First light on Monday."

"I better pack, den. Dere are people I want to say goodbye to."

Etienne's father nodded. "Take all de time you need 'fore we leave."