Oppressed by Kira Saito

chilled my bones
and I knew that Bade wanted to have a little conversation with
me.
    “ Bade? What is
it?”
    “ You don’t belong here,
silly Cecile!” Bade hissed.
    “ Then where do I belong?
Tell me! Please!”
    “ I keep telling you, but you
don’t listen! You humans never seem to listen! You’re meant to be
the official Voodoo Queen of New Orleans! You’re destined to fill
the hearts and minds of the people of this city with spirit, love
and serve as a reminder that even when circumstances seem
impossibly ugly and dreadful there is hope! Without hope this
glorious city will be nothing! Without hope, love, spirit, and
belief in the impossible, there is nothing! Life in this city is
being bought and sold left and right. The people need to unite and
they need to be reminded that life can never truly be bought or
sold!”
    “ But…”
    “ No buts! There are hundreds of
greedy Kings and Queens in this city who want power and control
purely for selfish purposes. Your heart is pure and you have
spirit, which makes you the perfect leader. You don’t need a
wealthy protector; you’re strong enough to protect yourself. Don’t
say yes! ”
    “ Cecile!” Maman’s shriek
pierced my ears.
    I rolled my eyes, took a deep breath and
turned around.
    Her eyes were filled with rage. “Where
have you been? I’ve been looking all over for you!”
    “ Run, silly Cecile!” Bade
hissed.
    “ Who were you talking to?”
she asked as she glanced around the empty balcony.
    “ No one,” I
lied.
    She grabbed me by my thin arm and pulled
me close. “You’ve caught the very selective eye of Monsieur
Edmond,” she whispered proudly into my ear. She guided my attention
towards a tall twenty-something year-old man with dark brown hair,
icy blue eyes, a long refined nose and a strong jaw. With his
perfectly tailored jacket, ruffled white shirt, fine silk tie,
impeccable hair and nails it was obvious he was exactly the type of
protector Maman had in mind for me. “His family is from French
nobility. He’s the richest man here, young and handsome too. He’s
married, but it is a marriage of convenience. You simply can’t ask
for anything more. For once stop acting like a heathen and act like
a proper lady. You’re slumping. Stand up straight, hold your head
up high, and smile more.” Her nudge prompted me to stand up
straight and widen my already fake smile.
    My body tensed. No. My plan had
been to hide and spend the rest of the night on the balcony, but
now I would actually have to socialize and politely refuse a
possible offer. I had to listen to Bade and Erzulie. I do have a choice.
I do have a choice. I repeated those words over and over in my head as I walked
towards Monsieur Edmond. I do have a choice. I do have a choice.
    “ Monsieur Edmond, may I present
my lovely daughter, Cecile Antoinette Fanchon LaNuit.”
    I felt embarrassed as Monsieur Edmond’s
cool blue eyes appraised me carefully from head to toe and took in
every inch of my face and body. He let a low sigh of approval and
his pink bow shaped lips formed an arrogant smirk. Suddenly and for
no rational reason whatsoever I had an overwhelming urge to run
away. “Exquisite,” he said, as he took my gloved hand and gave it a
long dramatic kiss that seemed to linger forever.
    I smiled innocently and batted my
eyelashes, all the while thinking what I could possibly do to get
out of the situation. “Thank you,” I said coyly just like I had
been taught by Maman.
    “ Shall we?” He extended
his arm for me to take.
    I glanced over at Maman and whatever
courage I had quickly vanished and turned into fear. I smiled some
more and took his arm. Round and round we spun on the dance floor.
Around me muffled voices laughed and couples became dark
shadows.
    Monsieur Edmond looked deep into my
eyes. “Tell me, Cecile, what is it that makes you
happy?”
    I wanted to tell the truth. I wanted to
say dancing in Congo Square, speaking to the loa, drinking
absinthe, eating