When the vision faded completely, Lilly remained seated before her alter. After a few minutes or maybe it was hours, she remembered to thank the Triple Goddess, her guides, guards, angels and ancestors for their presence and gifts of love and protection. She put one hand on the pentacle on her altar and one hand on the floor to ground herself into third dimension reality. She stood slowly, swaying on her feet, overwhelmed by the intense energy of Inanna.
Chapter 21
Of Pan, Diana and the Ladies of
the Night
Life in the French Quarter sped up to overdrive as Carnival approached. The crowds quadrupled as did the customers in Panthea’s Pantry. Because she had wonderful employers, Lilly was able to take off work a little early Wednesday afternoon to join her friends for her first Carnival Parade.
She knocked on Gemma’s door and found Madeline, Gemma, Forest, and Owen sitting on the floor of the living room. She joined them as they passed a joint around their small circle. They were all in high spirits as they grabbed jackets and shawls and headed for Canal Street to wait for the parade.
The colors, lights, textures and mythical themes of each float in the parade lit up Lilly’s entire being. The god Pan adorned one float, magic flute to his lips, head gently swaying as the float made its slow progress through the crowded street.
The masked riders on the floats twirled strands of colorful beads and teased the roaring crowds. In the streets below the floats, arms waved trying to catch the beads flying overhead. Voices called out, “Throw me something, mister!”
Dark men danced behind the floats. Oily flames dropped from the flambeaux they carried. The burning torches flickered wildly above their heads as they swayed to the music of the marching bands. Owen cupped his hands around Lilly’s ear and asked, “Do you want to get up on my shoulders, you can catch more beads.” Lilly nodded. Owen bent his six foot frame over so Lily could mount his shoulders. She let out a whoop as she took in the crowds and the line of floats parading up Canal Street.
The Goddess, Diana her bow drawn, the crescent moon at her back, hunting dogs at her heels, stood, larger than life, on the next float. Her glossy paper-mache eyes reflected the light of the flambeaux. Lilly’s heart thumped in time with the music of the marching bands.
The last float rolled past them at 11PM. The group of friends, weighed down with multi-colored strands of beads, left Canal Street in high spirits. They walked through the Quarter all the way to Frenchman Street to catch The Green Man Band’s debut at The Dream Palace. Arriving foot sore and thirsty, they grabbed a table ordered a pitcher of beer and sat back to enjoy the music.
Roland had not seen them come in. He was absorbed in the music as his guitar rang out in crystal clarity. The opening chords to Dancing in the Street brought almost everyone to the dance floor. The band members floated in a sea of flashing purple as a fog machine filled the stage with billowing clouds of purple, green and gold. The Mardi Gras colored mist tumbled from the stage and swirled around the dancers. The music built as the strobe lights came on and Roland’s guitar notes reverberated through the fog. The music penetrated into Lilly’s core, but she was happy to sit back and let the music wash through her.
Around 1:00 AM the band wrapped up the set with one of their original tunes. As the lights came up in the club, Lilly left her table of friends and walked towards the stage. She was half way through the crowded club when she saw a short blond girl jump up onto the stage and wrap her arms around Roland’s neck. She kissed him on the lips and from where Lilly was standing, he kissed her back. Lilly froze in place as Roland removed the girls arms from around his neck and gave her a pat on the butt. He turned away from her, unplugged his instrument and helped to clear the stage.
Lilly kept her eyes on the blond girl standing by the side of the stage. After a few minutes the petite blond walked over to the heavy set guy seated on a stool by the front door. Putting her arms around the big guys neck, she wiggled up onto his lap. Within minutes the unlikely couple headed to the back of the Dream Palace and through a door marked employees only.
Lilly walked up to the side of the stage and called to Roland. Hearing her, he put the thick black cords he was winding around his arm on top of a speaker and jumped down from the stage. He took her in his arms and kissed her, pulling back he looked at her and said, “How was the parade? Did you like it?”
Lilly could’t respond. As much as she didn’t want to say it, the words flew out of her mouth, “Who was the blond who jumped up and kissed you?” Roland looked confused, “When?” “A few minutes ago. I was in the middle of the room and saw her jump up and kiss you.”
Roland laughed and shook his head, “She was a working girl, Lilly, she wanted to sell me some loving tonight.”
“What? A working girl?”
“Yes, you know a prostitute.”
“No. I’ve never seen a prostitute, I thought they would be easily recognizable.”
“Well, Lilly, she must have forgotten her name tag tonight. I can assure
