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Behind the Cypress

by Yvette D. Stewart

259 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #03-0432; ISBN 1-4120-0069-6; US$23.00, C$29.00, EUR18.90, £13.10

Novel surrounding an elite African-American family of New Orleans that depicts how two sisters must forgive in order to live. Incest and murder are causes of an aunt*s lunacy and abuse.

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about the book      about the author      sample excerpts or Table of Contents      catalogue info

About the Book Behind the Cypress depicts how two African American sisters Jean-Marie Bensen and Sharmaine Martin find the need to forgive in order to live. As someone who has overcome battles to forgive those who have hurt her the most, Yvette Stewart knows just how important it is to forgive even when it may seem impossible or inconceivable. It is her personal struggles and triumphs that have inspired this poignant drama. Marie and Sharmaine thought after finding their mama shot dead was bad enough but their new guardian gives them fresh and deeper wounds to cover the old. Pearline Toussaint Louvier is a proud and vindictive woman born in the center of New Orleans' black upper crust. She stops at nothing and uses anyone to protect her social position and reputation. Aunt Pearl's mental and physical abuse almost sends the sisters over the edge. Terrifying her nieces is her full-time job and killing unborn babies is her part-time gig. Years later, the women pay Pearl a visit to make peace and put the past behind. She's now serving the last month of a 20-year sentence for the murder conspiracy of the girls' dearest friend. Pearl apologizes for her crimes and tells them of the dark family secret that drove her to utter lunacy. They forgive her but they will never forget. Behind the Cypress exemplifies the human spirit when it is taken to the lowest level with only a sister's love and a faith in God to foster the hope for a brighter day. REVIEWS Behind the Cypress is the captivating debut novel of the talented African-American author, wife, and mother Yvette Stewart. Jean-Marie and Sharmaine Martin are two orphaned sisters who search for acceptance. Raised in the bitter care of their mother's sister, they are confronted with abuse, incest, and murder. Jean-Marie and Sharmaine must search for hope and strength within each other in order to rise above their cruel and present circumstances. Deftly written, Behind the Cypress is a thoroughly engaging and original work which is highly recommended reading. James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief, The Midwest Book Review www.midwestbookreview.com

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About the Author Yvette Stewart is the debut author of Behind the Cypress, and is currently working on her second novel Church House. She is presently employed as a Database Administrator for a large computer hard drive manufacturer and is also working on her Master's degree. She is the loving mother of two handsome boys and the devoted wife of a wonderful man. Mrs. Stewart lives with her family in Edmond, Oklahoma.

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Sample Excerpts

Hearing her aunt Pearl calling her mother dumb was the last thing Marie could tolerate from such a hateful woman. She had temporarily lost her senses to muster enough strength and courage to punch Pearl right in the jaw. Pearl fell straight back on her butt from the surprising blow, making a loud thundering sound as she hit the hardwood floor like a rock. Marie screamed and tried to run from the room but Pearl somehow managed to catch her by the arm.

Marie yanked and pulled to free herself but the more she tried to escape the deeper Pearl dug her freshly manicured fingernails into Marie's tender skin. The young girl bit down on her bottom lip to brace the piercing pain that now seemed to have vibrated throughout her entire body.

"I'm going to make you bleed for that one you little witch," Pearl growled, grabbing her by the neck.

"I don't think you want to touch that child," Miss Annie barked when she bolted into the room.

"I maybe just your housemaid but I have enough dirt on you to have you locked up for years. I will never let you harm this girl while I still have the breath in my body," Annie said as she stood in the doorway glaring down at Pearl.

Annie was both angry and frightened. She knew what the consequences would be for yelling and threatening her boss but at the moment she didn't care. When she heard Marie's cries from the kitchen, she couldn't take a chance of Pearl killing her. Annie was more concerned about Marie's safety now than anything else, especially her job. Pearl's heart jumped at her servant's inappropriate outburst. She shook her head and blinked her eyes twice to make sure she wasn't just imagining what she just heard. When Pearl saw how Annie was looking at her as though she was better than her, she forgot all about Marie and abruptly released her clutch from the poor girl.

"How dare you come in here talking like you're half crazy and what the hell do you mean you have enough dirt on me? You don't know nothing about me and you never will," Pearl hollered, wanting scratch Annie's eyes out.

"Oh, yes but I do and I have. I know what you have been doing with your clients since the first day I started working here," Annie said in a more controlled voice.

"Stop your lies! You don't know a damned thing about me and it's none of your damned business what goes on between my clients and I. My arrangement with them is professional and strictly confidential. Those are important qualities that I'm certain you have absolutely no clue as to their meaning. You and your mindless attacks can't affect me. Humor me Ms. Doulette, just what is it your feeble-minded brain does know," Pearl asked, taking pleasure in humiliating her soon-to-be fired housekeeper.

Annie held her anger and withheld her tightly balled up fist from landing on Pearl's tacky overly painted face. She knew once again that her faith in God was tested to the fullest extent after hearing Pearl's hurtful bitter words. Regardless of her bruised feelings and Christian beliefs Annie had to say her piece to let her employer know she was not ignorant of her dastardly deeds that she so poorly attempted to pull off as some sort of a honest and legitimate business. She couldn't believe that woman's nerve. She acted as though she was doing something right by killing those defenseless babies. The thought of what she was doing made her want to vomit and murder Pearl herself. Pearl had to pay for all those murders but she knew that only God could give out the right punishment.

"I do know that a couple of girls almost bled to death because of your butchery. Of course you couldn't care less about them. You knew their families wouldn't turn you in because they were either too scared or too stupid. You seem to just enjoy the thrill of ending an innocent life. You're an evil, barbaric bitch, just full of hate! You better not touch these children or else," Annie threatened Pearl.

"Or else what? You think I'm afraid of you Miss Doulette? You're nothing but gutter trash. You're so far beneath me. How dare you speak to me like you're my superior," Pearl bellowed, trying to put and keep Annie in her correct place.

"Don't you talk about someone being trash Pearline. Trash is your middle name. Everyone in town knows that you're not a true Toussaint! God only knows who is your real daddy and Andre' Toussaint had no part in your disgusting conception. Anyone who has known Mr. Toussaint also knew that something like you couldn't possibly be his child. He was a good and kind man, he would never stand for the things that you have been doing in his house. You have defiled his good name and the home he has provided for you. You don't have any good morals or any good sense. You are a crazed lunatic," Annie said, looking down on Pearl.

Pearl almost lost all self-control. She could have cut that woman's throat for shouting out her family secrets and talking that way in front of Marie. She couldn't bear the thought of having Gabby's daughters think of her as something less than what she portrays herself to be or hopes to be. She would have to make an example out of Annie Doulette. She would have to make a stand now or never.

"That wash woman will have to pay for the damage she just caused. No one talks to me like that in my house. I can't just fire her, that would be too easy and predictable. I have something extra special in mind for Miss Doulette but I can't let her get on to me," Pearl thought.

"Annie, there is no need to spit out ugly rumors that have been spread by green-eyed gossips. Take Marie to her room and see to it that she gets her dinner. I have nothing else to say to you tonight," Pearl said soberly.

Marie ran into Annie's arms and almost dragged her out of the room to get away from her aunt as fast as she could. Pearl slammed the door shut to her sewing room.

The events that occurred that night would be permanent in Marie's mind. Her aunt wasn't just evil but was also mentally ill. Now she somehow felt very sorry for her aunt. Pearl must have been mortified when Annie told her that she and everyone else in town knew she wasn't granddaddy's daughter.

Marie couldn't imagine the personal humility in knowing that she was some other man's bastard. Maybe that was the reason why her aunt was so crazy and mean. This would also explain why her and mama were never very close and why she hated her and Shar so much. But she didn't want to understand how she could have reacted so strongly towards her seeing Antoine. She loved him and he loved her but she had sense enough not to have sex with him and worst of all get pregnant. If Miss Annie hadn't barged in, God only knows what could have happened. Aunt Pearl's office looked just like it did when she first saw it three years ago. The white sterile drapes and surgical gadgets were perfectly set in place and ready for the next operation. But this time Marie would have been the client.

"Miss Annie, I'm leaving this place. I can't stay under the roof with that crazy woman another minute longer," Marie cried on Annie's shoulder.

"Where are you going to stay baby? You have no place to go," Annie said, wiping the tears from Marie's eyes with her white apron.

"I can stay with your mom. She won't mind, will she," Marie asked, sniffing.

"No, she wouldn't mind a bit. She would love to have you girls stay with her but that would be the first place your aunt would look," Annie reasoned with Marie.

"Do you really think she'd care if we left? Look at the way she treats us. She hates me and Shar," Marie continued.

"The way she feels about you is quite confusing. I don't know if it's hate, jealousy or insanity. But I do know for sure is that she wants complete rule over you and your sister and she will stop at nothing that may get in her way. The time isn't right for you to leave just yet but it will come soon enough," Annie said, trying to console Marie.

"So what should I do in the meantime," Marie asked desperately.

"Don't get your aunt upset for any reason. Do what she says and stop sneaking around with Antoine. Do you hear me young lady," Annie advised.

"Yes ma'am, I certainly do," Marie replied obediently. Marie would have to walk on eggshells from now on. She'd dare not tick off Pearl for any reason.

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Catalogue Information

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