Sitting in Jolene’s kitchen, it was easier for Lilly to tell her story in greater depth than she had in the hospital cafeteria.
Jolene held her hand, gave her a box of tissues, reminded her to breathe and filled her cup with a soothing mixture of chamomile, hops, and skullcap tea.
Topaz awoke as Lilly finished telling her story. Leaning over, she stroked the big cats head. She was bone tired and hungry. A turkey sandwich oozing cranberry sauce and a scoop of New Orleans style oyster dressing appeared in front of her. “Left over from Thanksgiving dinner,” Jolene explained. Lilly devoured every bite.
Resisting the urge to counsel the young woman at her table, Jolene asked, “What time can you come in for work tomorrow?”
In a daze from the overwhelming events of her day, Lilly blurted “I thought you didn’t need a cook.”
“I don’t need a cook. I need someone I can trust to watch the shop while I am doing my tarot readings, someone to help me put up stock and, if you are interested..., well we will wait and see what else.”
“Sabine can show you the ropes over the next few days. She will be leaving next week. We need to get you familiar with the shop so you will know your way around when she leaves. The pay is $5.00 an hour, 10% commission on the jewelry you sell and 25% off on any purchases you make.”
Lilly’s mouth dropped open, “There is jewelry in the shop?”
“Yes, a whole case. You didn’t notice it; you were looking for pots and pans.”
Lilly’s eyelids drooped as Jolene opened the kitchen door and led her into the courtyard and up the winding stairs to her new apartment. Jolene handed her a set of clean sheets, a blanket, and towels. Lilly made the bed while Jolene emptied a bag of provisions into the tiny refrigerator.
“Get some rest; I’ll see you around 10 AM tomorrow.” Lilly nodded. Jolene slipped out the front door whispering, “All will be well. Blessed be.”
~
Sabine was unloading a box of books when Jolene returned to the shop. “Are things okay with your new tenant?”
“Yes and no, you are going to train her tomorrow; she will be helping out in the shop.”
“Thank the Goddess,” Sabine sighed. “With Yule a few weeks away, we are going to need the extra help. She arrived at the perfect time.”
Jolene raised her arms, her hands closed and opened in a swift poof, “Of course she did. The universe is always unfolding the way it is supposed to.” Sabine nodded in agreement.
“The poor girl has been through hell, Sabine. I sense powerful energy within her, although she has been playing the role of victim for most of this lifetime. I can tell you priestess to priestess in strict confidence, she has the markings of a wise, old soul. There is some sparkly energy within her I have never seen. I think she may have Faery blood.”
Sabine’s head popped up from the box of books, “Faery blood! I’ve heard tales of a band of fairies living in the Deep Bayou. I thought they were just that, Faery tales. Where is she from?”
Jolene shrugged slightly, “Somewhere in the bayou, a little town called, LaPoint.”
“I’m not sure what I was sensing within her. The energy she carries is something I’ve never seen. Possibly it is Faery energy. James will want to look into it. I will need his educated opinion.”
“One thing I am sure of, it is no accident she came here. I knew my advertisement would attract the right person. She has been lead here to heal and learn new ways of being. Once she finds her strength, she can connect with her latent power.”
“Even in the mundane world, she has a lot going for her. She has come to us naive, beaten and afraid. Underneath those dark circled eyes, matted hair and terrified demeanor, she is a beautiful, sensitive woman and a trained musician. I am going to help her, and I hope you will do the same.”
Sabine nodded in agreement. “I will do all I can to be a part of her healing.”
Jolene headed for the storage room, stopped and turned around, “Sabine, some of your family lives across the lake. Have you heard of a healer named Pearl in Abita Springs?
Sabine thought for a moment. “My Aunt Clotilde had a friend named Pearl. They were both avid gardeners, herbalist, I think. Why?”
“Our new tenant told me she spent a lot of time growing up with an aunt who was an herbalist on the North Shore. She was a healer of some renown in the Abita Springs area. Living at Panthea’s may spark memories of the teachings she received from her aunt.
Chapter 7
Morning Terror
Lilly awoke in the dark. She lay back, closed her eyes and listened for Alex’s location in the house. She hoped he was in the shower so she could get into the kitchen and have some coffee before she had to deal with him.
Her body shot up into a sitting position. Her heart beat wildly, as she gasped for air. The memory of what she had done flooded her mind and body. Alarm blazed through her, waves of fear washed over her. Trembling, she burrowed under the covers and curled into a fetal position.
Dawn light was creeping over the horizon when she opened her eyes. The air was filled with the sweet aroma of strong coffee wafting through her floor boards from Jolene’s kitchen below.
She swung her legs over the side of the bed, put her feet on the floor and walked to her tiny kitchen to make a pot of coffee. Sitting on the couch sipping her coffee, her eyes wandered over her new apartment. She blinked, her apartment disappeared and the sight of Alex’s opened closet
