by Judith Post
Nadine raised a dark brow. “Doing what? Something easy?”
“On the docks.”
“You?” Nadine motioned her head toward Delphine. “Did she cast a spell on you?”
The old Juju woman looked like a gypsy with her steel-gray hair and swarthy skin. Babet was sure that her magic could keep her young, but she chose not to use it that way. Delphine narrowed shrewd eyes, studying Marcel. “Not me. I washed my hands of the boy. He’s never worked before. This time, though, he thinks he’s in love.”
Dashika laughed. “In love or in lust? I’ve heard how he treated Ines.”
Marcel squared his shoulders. “It’s love, I tell you. No one will believe me.”
Babet intruded. “Is Rosita the girl who reads palms on Magic Avenue?”
“You’ve met her? Does she miss me?”
Ines and Delphine both stared.
"Yes." Babet remembered the pretty, young girl with the evil eye talisman on a leather strip around her neck.
“Does she return your love?” Nadine asked him.
“Yes! We want to get married.”
“But?” Nadine crossed her arms over her chest. There had to be a “but,” Babet realized. And it had to be something major.
Marcel took a deep breath. “Look at me. Look at what her grandfather did to me. If I can’t reverse the curse before it spreads through my whole body, I’ll stay this way.”
Talk about a ticking clock. Babet shook her head. “How fast does the curse spread?”
“He gave me two weeks. I’m desperate. I didn’t think Ines or Delphine would help me if I just asked…so I thought I’d make them.”
Dashika made an insulting noise. “Boy, will you ever learn?”
Prosper wanted answers. “Who’s the girl’s grandfather?”
“I don’t know his name." Marcel shrugged. "Rosita didn’t introduce us, but I know he’s a witch doctor.”
“From here?” Prosper asked.
“No, from Africa. He came here a long time ago with a boat load of slaves—promised to keep them alive on the trip over. When the boat landed, he came up river.”
“But he doesn’t like you.” Nadine’s voice was flat.
“He never met me. Rosita was worried he’d hear about my past.”
“Fancy that.” Dashika tsked, shaking her head.
“You had to know you were asking for trouble.” Delphine studied him, as if surprised. “I’ve never known you to go out of your way for anyone.”
“I can’t stay away from her. I love her.”
Ines threw a hot pad at him. “Stupido! He cursed you. And then you kidnapped us to make us help you.”
“Fat lot of good that did me. You’re not strong enough to undo the curse.”
Nadine interrupted them. “It’s hard to undo someone else’s magic. It’s easier to convince the person who chanted it to take it back.”
Marcel gave a derisive snort. “I don’t think you can convince Rosita’s grandfather to do anything.”
Nadine gave a slow smile. “You still have a lot to learn. It’s important to know your limitations. I know I can’t defeat a witch doctor.”
Babet wasn’t so sure about that. She had a feeling that Nadine had more power than she wanted people to realize.
Nadine motioned to the others in the room. “I’m not alone. If we all join together, maybe we can find this grandfather and reason with him, but first, you let my Ines free. Remove the talisman. Let her go.”
Marcel went to Ines and Delphine and pulled necklaces over their heads. He tossed them in the trash. Then he sank onto a chair. “Her grandfather’s magic is too strong. If I turn completely into…” He waved his green arms… “this, I don’t want to live anymore. Tell Rosita good-bye from me.”
Delphine kicked his chair, surprising them all. “Have a backbone, boy. Come with us. Talk to your girlfriend. If she loves you, she’ll want to help you.”
“I don’t want her to see me like this.”
“Grow up.” Delphine grabbed his arm and yanked him out of the chair.
Babet stared. She was amazingly strong for an old woman. But when it came to magic, age didn’t mean much.
“If she loves you, she’ll fight for you,” Nadine said. “Come.” She started for the door. “You and Delphine might as well stay at the settlement with us until this is finished.”
Ines gave Marcel a push. “You can stay with me, at my house. The kids ask about their father.”
Marcel cringed. “What have you told them?”
“That you’re a loser. It’ll be nice for them to see you might amount to something.”
He groaned, but followed the rest of them out of the shack. It took longer than Babet expected to make it back to the settlement. It had been a long night. All she wanted to do was climb into Prosper’s car to drive home.
Nadine had one more favor to ask. “Rosita knows you, doesn’t she? She’s comfortable with witches. Voodoo puts some people off. Will you visit her tomorrow and tell her what happened to Marcel?”
Babet nodded. It was a fair request. She liked and respected Nadine and the women she’d met at this settlement, but voodoo still made her uneasy. “I’ll stop at her shop. I’ll even drive her here if she wants to see Marcel.”
"We thank you." Nadine glared at Marcel, and he nodded quick agreement.
"See you tomorrow then." Babet followed Prosper to his car.
On the drive home, he rubbed at his eyes.
"Tired?" she asked.
“I have to go to the station early tomorrow. I lost work time today.”
“Sorry.”
He shrugged. “It comes with the job. Same goes for you.”
“Have you ever thought of changing to a nine-to-five gig?”
He laughed. “Never. You?”
“Nope, most magic’s done at night when the moon’s out.”
They found Morgana curled on the deep window sill, watching for them, when Prosper pulled to the curb in front of Babet’s yellow bungalow. The snake practically sagged with relief when they entered the house.
“You were worried about us, weren’t you?” Prosper bent to scratch her chin.
Morgana wrapped around his ankle, but he shooed her off. “I like you, boa, but I need some sleep. And I’m not sharing a bed with you.”
Morgana followed them to the bedroom and curled up outside their door.
Babet rubbed the top of her head. “See you in the morning.”
And morning would be here sooner than she wanted.
* * *
When Babet woke the next morning, Prosper was already gone. He left a note on the kitchen table. “Coffee’s ready. Won’t see you tonight. Probably have to put in a long day. I’ll miss you.”
Her heart did its usual, little flip when she thought of the man. She frowned. It had been a while since she spent a night on her own. She used to look forward to alone time. Now, she wasn’t so thrilled. Woman up, she told herself. She was a witch. Strong and independent.
She plopped on the sofa and clicked on the TV while she drank her first cup of coffee. She flipped through the channels, but didn’t find anything that interested her. Disgusted, she turned it off. She and Prosper usually yakked about their days while they had breakfast. A hell of a lot more interesting than daytime TV shows.
She pushed to her feet and took a quick shower. She might as well go to Rosita’s shop and see what the girl had to say.
“It’s a decent day,” she told Morgana. “I can walk there. I’ll see you when I get back.”
The snake didn’t look happy, but Babet couldn’t carry a snake around with her through the tourist district. She stopped at an eatery on the way there and got a beignet. The fried treat lifted her spirits as she trotted the rest of the blocks to Magic Avenue. She looked down at herself before she entered the shop. Khaki, capri pants and a V-necked T-shirt. Presentable, but nothing special. She’d barely put on the minimum of makeup. Who cared? She wouldn’t see Prosper today.
<
br /> When she pushed through the door, Rosita looked up and darted toward her.
“I still haven’t seen Marcel. Has he left me for another girl? Have you talked to him?”
“It’s a long story,” Babet said. “And private.”
Rosita motioned her into a back room, leaving another girl alone with their customers. Babet told her everything she knew, and fire flashed in Rosita’s dark eyes.
“Girma did this? Without even talking to me?” She slammed her foot on the floor. “He has some explaining to do.” She grabbed Babet’s hand and pulled her from the shop.
“Where are we going?”
“To see my grandfather.”
“Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“Not for him, it’s not.”
Babet could barely keep up with Rosita as she stalked away from the tourist area of the city. They ended up on a winding side street with small, cozy houses. Rosita stopped at a gate that led to a red, one-and-a-half story home with a plain façade. Its front door was off-center, with two windows on one side of it, one on the other. Rosita stormed up the walk and pounded on the ancient wood door.
A tall, thin man with ebony skin and coal-black eyes opened it. He motioned them inside. Babet sniffed the air. Herbs, unique ones. He wore all black clothes—long, loose slacks and a long-sleeved, silk shirt. He gave the effect of absorbing sunlight, and Babet hung back a few steps.
“You have a lot of nerve.” Rosita rounded on him.
Babet hung back a little more. She wasn’t much for conflict, and this was family business. She felt like an intruder.
The grandfather’s face remained impassive. “The boy’s not good for you. You can do better.”
“Remove the curse, or I’ll never speak to you again.”
The man sniggered. A halo of white hair circled his long face. “Never is a long time. We’ll see.”
“I love him, Grandpa. Make him right again.”
“I’m doing this for your own good.”
“This is none of your business. It’s my life, my choices. Remove the curse.”
The man’s answer was barely audible. “No.”
“Grandma would be ashamed of you.”
The man’s lips tightened. “Grandma would understand. She had hot, Latin blood like you. She’d know it can get you in trouble.”
“I’ll call my mother.”
The man’s gaze turned hard. “She won’t come home. She doesn’t care.”
Rosita flinched. “My new friends do. They’ll help me.”
The man’s gaze settled on Babet. She forced herself not to squirm. She’d never met a witch doctor before, but he didn’t frighten her. Witch magic was every bit as powerful.
He tried to explain. “You don’t know my family, the women in it. They’re known for their bad choices. I won’t let anyone hurt Rosita.”
Babet kept her voice level, neutral. “You haven’t been fair. You haven’t even met Marcel.”
“I know his history. History makes a man.”
“People can change.”
“Not often. You should know that, witch. You’ve lived a long time.”
“Long enough to know that things don’t turn out the way I expect. You should know that too.”
He threw back his head and laughed. “No wonder Rosita likes you. You’re as silly as she is.”
Babet's brow rose, her temper surfacing, and she fought to stay calm. “Rosita and I just met. I know little about your granddaughter, but I’ve sworn to help Nadine and Ines. You’re making enemies. I hope you realize that.”
He grew sober, thinking that through. Finally, he shrugged. “Women. Of little consequence.”
Really? Heat flooded Babet’s veins. “Is that how you treated your wife?”
Temper flashed, reminding Babet of Rosita’s quick anger. “My wife was an exception.”
She snorted. “I don’t think you know much about women.”
“And I don’t think you know much about Juju.” Bristling with disdain, he looked down his nose at her.
She took a step forward. “Have you dealt with witches, voodoo, or covens?”
He stared. “Why would you interfere in a family matter?”
“Because it’s personal. Marcel is a relative of Delphine, and the father of Ines’ children. And I know both of them.”
"Delphine?"
"Do you know her?"
He drew himself up with dignity. “I’ve listened to women’s blathering long enough. Be gone, both of you. And don’t bother me again.”
Babet didn’t move for several seconds. She stood, studying him. “You’re an arrogant man. Nadine’s settlement isn’t fond of men in general. They’re going to enjoy matching strengths with you.”
He waved her away. “By the time they work through my protection spells, it will be too late for Marcel.”
Babet smiled. “Just remember that I play fair. They don’t.”
She and Rosita turned on their heels and left. Babet had a bad feeling about what might happen next, but she’d warned Girma. He was a bullheaded man. Nadine, however, was an unmovable woman.
* * *
Rosita insisted on going with Babet when she went to the voodoo settlement.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Babet said. “They’re going to hold you sort of responsible.”
“I want to see Marcel.”
“He’s not a pretty sight.” Babet stopped at her home to retrieve Morgana before they followed the river to the small, voodoo town.
Morgana wrapped herself around Babet’s shoulders when they left the car and started up the walk to Nadine’s house. Rosita followed a few steps behind. When Nadine stepped onto the porch—tall, slender, and intimidating with her dark, stark beauty, Rosita took a quick breath. Too late now.
Nadine raised a dark brow when she saw the young Latino. “You must be Rosita.”
The girl cringed. Babet didn’t blame her. “I want to see Marcel.”
“He’s staying in Ines’ house. I’ll show you.” Nadine started down the stairs.
Babet marveled again at the woman's marble white skin. The only sign that she lived in a hot, steamy climate were the freckles splattered across her nose and cheeks. They seemed incongruous. But then, nothing about Nadine fit a stereotype.
Babet followed them to a peach-colored house with purple trim. The colors should have looked horrible together. They didn’t.
Ines opened the door before they knocked and looked Rosita up and down. “You must be his new girlfriend.”
Rosita raised her chin. “I’m his last girlfriend. There won’t be any women after me.”
Ines laughed. “Then come in.”
Rosita started up the steps, but stopped on the second one when she saw Marcel, hanging back from the doorway. Her hand went to her throat, and she swallowed hard. “What has he done to you?"
Marcel stalked onto the porch. "A curse."
A string of words flew from the girl's lips, and Babet was glad she didn't know Spanish. Rosita ended by turning to the others. "It’s not fair. We have to fix him.”
Nadine looked at the women from the settlement who were crowding onto Ines’ front yard. “Yes, we do. I’m sorry about this, Rosita.”
“Sorry for what?”
“That I have to curse you.”
Rosita’s warm, caramel-colored complexion blanched to pale. “Me? Why? I tried to help Marcel.”
An expensive, black sedan sped down the street and screeched to a stop at the curb. Girma stepped out from behind the wheel to face the women. “You won’t harm my granddaughter.”
“Really? Watch us.” Nadine raised her hand and spirits swarmed in and out, weaving between her fingers. “Evangeline.”
Babet’s eyes went wide when Evangeline stepped from the house with a voodoo doll in her fist. She raised one of its arms, and Rosita’s arm jerked skyward.
“You’ll stop right there.” Girma reached inside his pants pocket to hold a powder in his hand
s.
The women of the settlement circled him.
Nadine looked directly at Babet. Babet joined the circle and raised her palms toward the witch doctor. “I won’t let you harm my friends,” she warned.
Evangeline raised the other arm, and Rosita squealed with fear when her other hand shot into the air. She looked at her grandfather. “Help me!” she begged.
Girma hesitated. He locked gazes with Nadine. “What do you want?”
“Remove Marcel’s curse, and I don’t curse Rosita.”
Rosita’s jaw dropped. “I haven’t done anything!”
Nadine shrugged, unimpressed. “Neither did Marcel.”
Delphine stepped out of the house and unhurriedly walked toward them. She looked Girma up and down. She, too, reached into a pocket and removed a talisman. “Hello, Girma. It's been a long time. I’ve done as much magic as you have, but I’ve never abused mine. Marcel's my blood. Remove his curse, or you’ll regret it.”
Girma cocked his head to one side, studying her. “What are you playing at? Why the gray hair and wrinkles?”
Delphine waved his comments aside. “I grew tired of men. None look at me now.”
“I’m looking. You were my first love. Before Doli.”
Delphine narrowed her eyes, studying him. “We were young then.”
“Time matters little to us.” He still stared. “You chose a mortal. I met Doli.”
“I’ve chosen my way. So have you. Remove the curse from my Marcel.”
He tossed out a challenge. “You were frightened of me then. You’re powerful now. Promise to spend a week with me, and I’ll remove the curse.”
There was a collective gasp as women’s jaws dropped.
Delphine’s hands went to her hips. “What makes you think I’ll like you more now than I did back then?”
“You’ve grown into the woman I knew you’d be. You’re even more fascinating. So am I.”
Babet looked from Delphine to Girma and back again. She held her hands steady, ready to blast magic, but waited to see what happened.
Delphine smiled, and the smile smoothed out the wrinkles on her face, made the gray hairs turn black. Babet blinked, and a beautiful woman stood before her. Delphine shrugged. “What’s one week in the scheme of things?”