by Y G Maupin
Anesta had left her house with the talking cat still locked in her laundry room. She didn't even bother to leave any water or food because she was sure if she opened the door, it would escape. If he truly was magical, he’d find a way to get out and that was good enough for her. As she made her way through town out towards T’s house, she thought about Anjolie and wondered if they would see each other again. The cat’s warning notwithstanding, she was convinced that their paths might not cross and that she was permanently stuck on the deathscape side. The streets were mostly empty but she could still see some random people walking in weird areas, like the parking lot of an abandoned storage building or the empty lots that hadn't been improved upon. She hadn't been to the funeral home so she made a turn at the next left to take the highway out there. When she arrived, it was also quiet, but all the usual cars were parked outside in the back.. No one sat at the reception desk which was odd, so she made her way to the staff break room. Empty as well. As soon as she stepped out into the hallway, her cousin Norvell was there. Norvell didn't work there, but his mother Ida had, several years ago before she unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack.
“Norvie, what’s going on ?” she asked, surprised to see her older cousin there. The man was shaped like a bowling pin with sloping shoulders and an oval head.
“My Mama,” he replied, voice shaking, Anesta’s heart sank.
“What do you mean?” she asked, walking along so that he would follow her. He stayed right in place in the middle of the hallway, his forlorn figure looking even more sloped than before.
“She came to my house. But she’s dead, but she’s been talking to me and telling me that she’s disappointed in me that I still haven't married and that she thought by now I would have gotten off my butt and finished my masters...” he drifted off, as if he himself couldn't believe what he was saying. “I know it sounds crazy, but it's her and she’s in my house and I think she needs to go.”
Anesta felt so sad in her heart for him. Calmly, she walked back to his side and took his hand to lead him back towards the front reception area.
“First. It's ok if she came back, Take this moment to have a really good talk with her about everything you didn't get to say before she left.”
“But...” he started, and she put up a hand to stop him. He complied.
“Then take this tea and have a cup of it strong and hot. Don't make it weak or add any sugar to it. It will help you calm your nerves,” she pressed, a package she had made in advance for herself to drink that night. She’d make another at T’s house
“Do you think I need to see a doctor? I think I need to see a doctor.” He was worried about his new visitor, as he turned the packet over in his smooth hands.
Anesta shook her head slowly. “These are wonderous times, Norvie.We shouldnt question what comes into our lives but try to live the best life we can. Now tell me, where is everybody else?”
Norvell looked towards the first viewing room and said, “They’re in there. Talking to her.”
“Who? Aunt Ida?” Anesta asked, moving toward the double doors. Norvell backed away.
Anesta opened the door and felt all the blood drain from her face. It was her mother, pacing in front of the dais, more floating than pacing it appeared.
“There she is,” Soledad Duke announced, exasperated with her in-laws that surrounded her. Most were seated with a few slumped over having fainted several times at the sight of their dearly departed sister in law, having been gone for sixteen years now, today floating in their presence looking as she had in the last days of her madness.
Libby Duke, one of the ladies that had draped herself from several bouts of fainting popped up from her sons that were fanning her and cried out, “Oh Anesta! Oh my child, it is end of days your Momma has come back to take us all because of your daddy,” she cried out, as she stuffed her feet back into her low heeled shoes and waddled her way over to her. “I just can't take this. I just can’t! Here we are trying to run a business and Soledad comes in here talking about the devil and witchcraft and cursing up a storm! She showed up right after lunch while we were having a viewing and thank sweet jesus no one recognized her and they all left as she started talking in that creole she used to like to talk in when she was upset and Anesta, she is scaring us all,” Libby sobbed, as she repeatedly clutched at a wooden cross that she must have taken down from one of the offices.
Anesta put her hands on the woman's shoulders. “Aunt Libby. It's going to be alright. Let me see if I can talk to her.” Anesta spoke evenly and calmly. She turned to the shriveled looking woman that had stopped pacing and walked towards her. Everyone else, employees and cousins alike, backed away, but still kept their ears open for the exchange between the living and the dead.
“Mama,” Anesta started, and could feel the tears at the corners of her eyes and her throat was tight. “Mama. What’s going on? Why are you here?” she whispered.
The figure floated toward her and Anesta could see that her mother, despite looking ravaged from years of mental illness and self inflicted harm, appeared rested and at peace.She had a warm look to her when she gazed at her daughter.
“Anesta. I know that you know that the dead have returned to walk the earth. I followed your sister here the last time she came back because she won't talk to me on the other side.” She looked down in sadness as she thought about that. Anesta was confused.
“I didn't know that, Mama, I'm sorry, I don't know why she would do that,” Anesta replied.
“I do. She blames me for her father's death. But what can you tell a child that believes in her heart that you didn't love her father. It doesn't matter now, he got what he deserved. I'm here to see you. I need to tell you that you are in danger and that you need to stay here with me until everything ends. A man of the devil is coming and he will take his vengeance on all unless you are under my protection.” To which shrieks called out through the sanctuary and more fainting and fanning commenced. Anesta opened her arms out with her palms up.
“I know,” she replied.” I'm going to stop him with my friends. That’s where I'm going now,” she added, as her family gasped here and there and whispered amongst themselves.
“No!” Soledad cried, and drifted toward her. Anesta was taken aback to see her again, so close, after so many years. She moved her hands in front of her in a power move to show the spirit, because that's what she still was despite being her Mama, that she was not a force to be reckoned with, Soledad Duke was exactly as Anesta had remembered her, but her face looked gentler. Perhaps it was because she was no longer under so much mental anguish and heavy medication that left her nervous and jumpy.
“ You haven't seen what I have witnessed on the other side, Anesta. I know what they are capable of and the destruction that they will bring with them to satisfy their anger and jealousy,” she said, but Anesta could only look at her sadly, because there really wasnt anything else to do or any way to reason with her.
“Send me your blessings as I go, It's all I can ask of you Mama because you can't come with me. You wouldn't understand,” Anesta gently answered.
“Because you’re a witch?” Soledad blurted out. “You think I don't know from the other side what you do and who you are with?” she added, incredulously. More gasps from the room along with an “I knew it!” Anesta’s eyes opened wide. She wasn't ready to be outed like this and especially not to this group of people. WIth her hands on her hips she turned and addressed the onlookers.
“Yes, I practice witchcraft and healing among other things. I heal and I have helped many of you so it's too late now, you’ve all been witchified,” she ended with a flourish and a snap to the hooting of her cousins and shrieks of her aunt and uncles. Turning back to her Mama, Anesta studied her intentions and sighed with understanding. She just wanted to help her, but there was no way she could assist at this time other than to be on the lookout for a man that may appear like the wayward cat had warned or for the very least, prevent any spirits from tryin
g to jump into the people that were in the funeral home. The irony in that was explosive and had it been a different time and situation, Anesta would have had a fine laugh about it.
“I'm going, Mama,” Anesta said evenly, and turned to leave.
“Wait. Just let me tell you one more thing. Since I can’t convince you to stay. Let me warn you of this. No matter what the devil man promises, don’t believe him. He is a cunning liar and he’ll have you believe that he is here to save the world. He is not. Don’t bargain with him and whatever you do, don’t go back with him. Because you won't return.”
Thirty
As they lay in bed later that night, they held each other and whispered and giggled like they used to back in the early days. Suddenly,they felt a gentle swaying of the bed frame.
“What is that?” Sarah asked. Alice shrugged. There was an accompanying low rumble. Earthquake. Both slid out of bed as the frames hanging on the walls jiggled with a few coming down in small crashes. Alice pulled on a robe and opened the door to find a similarly spooked Godfrey in the hallway.
“Is that what I think it is?” he asked. “I thought I had left those behind in Orange County.”
Alice threw her arms up in the air and went downstairs to survey any damage. Sarah returned to pick up her cell phone that was ringing.
“Yes, we felt it too. No. We’ll go to the bookstore tomorrow, it's too late to go check tonight. Ok, Thank you. Love you too. Blessings.” Hanging up, Sarah turned to Alice who sighed. “It's not the bad downstairs. A few broken plates and wine glasses in the kitchen and a few books came down from the shelves but that's about it.”
Alice looked over her shoulder to Godfrey, who was wiping his reading glasses on the corner of his silk sleeve. “You alright?” He nodded. “Good. Let's try to get back to sleep with the understanding that there may be some additional aftershocks. Sleep tight.”
Alice felt like all she could do was toss and turn following the disruption. Sarah had promptly fallen asleep and she could hear her soft breathing next to her. As had often happened, when Alice had trouble sleeping, all she had to do was think back on her previous lives and she would fall into a trance-like lull, where her breathing and heartbeat slowed as her brain whirled like a jet in supersonic motion. Sarah knew about the past lives, not all of them, although she had urged her to write an accounting of what she could remember. Alice had never wanted to do so for many reasons. One reason was that she was Uncertain what good it would do.
“Can you imagine the wonderful inspiring stories that you could share?” Sarah had gushed. Alice squirmed under the flattering attention. This was one of the things she didn't like; to be in the spotlight.
“I don't see how it could be of much use to anyone.” she replied “ It barely helps me other than to remind me of how much crap I’ve already had to put up with.” she paused and then added. “But also that an educated woman or one having a wonderful time is always suspect.” to this she shook her head and continued drinking her tea.
That exchange had been over fifteen years ago, when they had still been living in Atlanta and were looking to settle down somewhere less humid. Alice had slowly shared with Sarah all the times she could remember that she had walked on the earth in the form of a different human. And every time, for what she could remember, her death followed a harsh life that had served to teach her of the ways of men, commerce, the suffering for art and the madness of divinity.
Alice knew that each lifetime had propelled her forward to what she believed would be the life she was living now. This had to serve some great purpose. There had to be a grand scheme or event that she would be a witness or a catalyst to and then, from her viewpoint, she would stop regenerating in a different form.
At this point in their lives they were ready to make their next move to finish out their lives as had already been revealed to them when they had been in a ritual trance to mark out their paths. Sarah had almost died from the herbs and Alice had lost about ten pounds from the vomiting that had followed for close to two weeks, But they had been shown the way, the future for their actions and that the answers were waiting for them in the center of the nation, Texas.
Beryl helped T load the dishwasher while Birdie put the leftover spaghetti sauce in a freezer bag. While dinner had been full of laughter and joking, especially when the small earthquake happened as they were passing around the plate of garlic bread, the women now worked quietly in the kitchen, silently all contemplating what lay before them the next night.
“I guess Anesta wasn't going to make it tonight,” Birdie mused, as she zipped up the plastic bag and placed it flat in the freezer.
“She is stopping by in an hour. She had texted me that there was a slight delay at the funeral home that she was taking care of, but that she would bring wine and cheesecake.”
T replied.
“Well,” Beryl announced.”She is instantly forgiven if she’s bringing dessert.”
T laughed and straightened the dishcloths and rinsed the sink. Later that evening as they sat in the cozy fireplace warmed family room, the four ladies with wine glasses in their hands and cheesecake smeared plates nearby, Beryl brought up the subject of their plans if something were to happen to them.
“Well,”Anesta began. “First, if I die, it's a given that I would like my body prepared at Duke’s Funeral home, naturally.”
“Naturally,” they all replied.
“And,” she continued.” I would like the music of Nina Simone played at my memorial service.”
Birdie applauded while Beryl and T toasted to the request. Anesta’s laughter tapered down as she reflected on her little sister's funeral, which had been held at the New Orleans location of Dukes. It was in late summer and the ice cream trucks with the tinkling music announcing their presence in the neighborhood grated on Anesta’s nerves to this day.
“Anything else?” Beryl asked.
“Yes. If I die tomorrow, someone please go get that talking cat out of my laundry room. I wouldn't want him pissing all over because I locked him in overnight,” she finished sipping her wine.
“What!?” All three women exploded with surprise and laughter. Anesta put a weary hand up to her forehead.
“Yes. I can't believe it either. This cat, I mean, I have no idea where it came from and frankly for a moment, I thought I was losing my mind, came into my house and told me that my sister had sent him to tell me that there was a man coming and that he would be helping me. Etcetera etcetera which is the complete opposite of the man my Mama said might be coming.”
“Excuse me,” T interrupted. “Did you say your Mama? Along with a talking cat at your house? Where was your Mama at?”
Anesta laughed. “That’s what was holding me up at the funeral home. She crossed over hoping to connect with Anjolie, who for whatever reason is avoiding her, and she decided to visit the family and generally scare the living shit out of them,” she laughed, while they stared at her as if she had grown a second head.
“I don't know if I can keep up with this new world that has opened up, T. I really hope we can find a solution tomorrow night,” Anesta sighed. Beryl nodded her head and Birdie perked up.
“Ok, If I die I want to be cremated and T, can you just scatter my ashes here near the creek?” Birdie asked with more enthusiasm than a person discussing their death should have.
T nodded and finished her wine.
“And my memorial service, please no crying,” Birdie said, looking away. “I only want happy stories.” Beryl hugged her. “I promise.”
Birdie looked at Beryl. “What would you like?”
Beryl was stunned. She had never had friends close enough to care to ask. She shrugged her shoulders. “I have no idea. Play ABBA.” Silence followed by bursts of laughter.
“I promise you!” Birdie laughed pointing at Beryl as she walked toward the DVD player.
“Lets just put on an old funny movie to get this out of our head. Witches of Eastwick, anyone?”
Cheers al
l around and T got up and collected the plates and silverware to place in the sink as Beryl followed her to the kitchen.
“So,”Beryl started nervously.”Is there any reason you avoided telling us what you wanted in the event something happened?” T looked at her funny and laughed a little as she wiped her hands.
T shrugged her shoulders. “Dunno. I honestly have no idea. I have no family to speak of. I have no way to get in touch with either my Mom or Dad. I guess I only have the house, my pup and cat and the animals outside that are really counting on me,” she finished. What a sad statement, she thought. Only her pets would be left to mourn her if something happened to her. No one had been in touch with her from Jackson’s side of the family and she had no reason to reach out as well. Even his sister never messaged her or commented on any of her social media posts. T shrugged again with an oh well and started to rinse off the plates. Beryl watched the younger woman work. Beryl also had no one to mourn her if something happened, other than her cats at home. Maybe her coworkers would miss her being around to cover their shifts, but that was about it. Even her regular customers would move on to the next pharmacy tech to fill their prescriptions.