After more farewells, the van pulls away and heads to the airport. I watch it drive the few blocks and turn, disappearing into the city traffic. I stand in the middle of the street with my polka dot suitcase feeling lost until a driver pulls up behind and honks. I dig my keys from my purse and head to my Toyota and dump everything inside, then head for the house, using my old house key to retrieve Stinky. He’s sitting by the front door waiting for me, but when I call his name he doesn’t move. I call again and reach for him, but Stinky backs up, crawls underneath the coffee table and makes himself comfortable.
I get the message and that hurts almost as much as everything else that’s happened in the last twenty-four hours. And yet, it’s as if Lillye’s here, petting my cat, and pointing the way. They’re smiling at me, regardless of my broken heart, because they have given me the knowledge of where to head next.
I think of my husband and his insistence that Lillye is always with us. And there’s my crazy cat who’s probably not a cat at all, considering all the supernatural things I’ve learned in the last week. I thank them both and leave the house where TB, Lillye, and I spent many years, and get into my Toyota. Instead of heading west to Lafayette and my beloved potting shed, I turn east on Interstate 10. I’m heading to Alabama, the home of Aunt Mimi and Grandmother Willow, once the most famous soothsayer in the region. Time for some answers.
I’ll find me a hill somewhere overlooking the sunset and, like Scarlet, will somehow find a way to get him back.
Author’s Notes
When I’m not penning stories about ghost hunting travel writers from Louisiana, I’m working as a travel writer from Louisiana. Over the past few years I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Florence and Muscle Shoals, Alabama, as well as traveling down the beautiful, historic Natchez Trace, pausing at Tupelo, Mississippi, where I was entertained by a host of singing Elvi, or Elvis tribute artists.
The legend of Florence’s singing river is true, as is the Swampers Bar and the 360 Grille within the Marriott Shoals Hotel, the chocolate gravy poured over biscuits at the River Road Café, and the dozens and dozens of famous musicians who have walked through the doors of FAME studios and 3614 Jackson Highway. I met Swampers Jimmy Johnson and David Hood with a host of journalists, Johnson pulling out a giant list of hits that had been recorded at their studio. It’ll blow you away at the talent that has passed through that town.
Meeting Tom Hendrix, who sadly passed away in 2017, remains a highlight of my life, and I was fortunate enough to visit Tom’s Wall twice, each time a remarkable spiritual journey. Like Viola, I sat in Tom’s prayer circle and felt two hands on my shoulders, instinctively knowing they were my grandmothers’. On one occasion, Hendrix gifted me with an ancient arrowhead, which I cherish and keep on my writing desk.
You can view photos from my visits to the studios and Tom’s Wall on my Viola Valentine Pinterest board and on my website blog posts.
The idea of ghosts haunting photos is also based on personal experiences, starting with the time I found young Gladys and Emily Whittington dressed as boys in the early twentieth century and standing on the steps of their cabin in Lithia Springs, Georgia. I had to know who these charming young girls were and that research started me collecting old photographs from antique and thrift stores, digging through Ancestry.com and other genealogy websites — much like TB does in the story — and posting them online so that family members may find them. I’ve been told that objects and photographs may have spirits attached but so far, no ghosts have followed me home. At least that I know of.
The gris gris bags Viola and Pepper carry with them derive from New Orleans and Southern African American traditions. These bags made up of herbs, stones, and other talismans have always fascinated me, and fellow author Jude Bradley and I studied the tradition of protective bags over many nationalities and wrote a book titled Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets. The paperback is no longer in print but ebooks are still available through online stores.
All the places I mentioned located on the Natchez Trace exist, but I did fabricate why there are grass circles at Witch Dance. Briarwood — or Richfield — does not exist but I used a recent visit to the elegant Brandon Hall Plantation for inspiration. The gorgeous and massive old home only a few miles from Natchez is a must visit if you’re fortunate enough to travel the Trace or visit south Mississippi.
I’ve been to the charming city of Natchez numerous times and, on each visit, discover something new. My last trip happened over early November and imagine my surprise to discover the Angels on the Bluff cemetery tour while writing this book! Life can be so incredible synchronistic sometimes. The cemetery event, and the nearby Devil’s Punchbowl, screamed to be included in the story.
And yes, there are ghosts in King’s Tavern.
If you’d like to learn more on Florence/Muscle Shoals, the Natchez Trace, and the city of Natchez, you can read about my travel experiences on my blog at www.CherieClaire.net or view photos and stories I’ve written on my Viola Valentine Pinterest board.
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to those who helped bring this book to light, either knowingly or unknowingly. The incredibly talented artist, Joshua Coen, continues to create dreamy, mysterious covers for me, and does so with help from his equally creative finance Abraham Rodriguez. My biggest fans — Roxanne Moskal, LilyB Moskal and Danon Dastugue, as well as my husband Bruce Coen and son Taylor Coen — help clean up my manuscript and give me invaluable feedback.
Those who have assisted me in my travels include Georgia Carter Turner and Verna Gates in Alabama, Jennie Bradford Curlee in Tupelo, and Daylyn Weppner and Carlyn Topkin for Natchez. Thank you for showing me your delightful corners of the world.
About the Author
Cherie Claire is a native of New Orleans who like so many other Gulf Coast residents was heartbroken after Hurricane Katrina. She works as a travel and food writer and extensively covers the Deep South, including its colorful ghost stories. To learn more about her novels and her non-fiction books, upcoming events and to sign up for her newsletter, visit her website www.CherieClaire.net. Write to Cherie at [email protected].
Also By Cherie Claire
Viola Valentine Mystery Series
A Ghost of a Chance
Ghost Town
Trace of a Ghost
The Cajun Embassy
Ticket to Paradise
Damn Yankees
Gone Pecan
The Cajun Series
Emilie
Rose
Gabrielle
Delphine
A Cajun Dream
The Letter
Carnival Confessions: A Mardi Gras Novella
Trace of a Ghost Page 26