Water sparkled in the morning sun and splashed down a three-tiered cast iron fountain. Banana trees, turning brown in the December chill, rustled slightly as a breeze found its way into the courtyard. Delicate cast iron stairways spiraled up to the second floor.
A tiny smile lifted the corners of Lilly’s mouth for a moment. She turned and ran up the spiral stairs. The front door of apartment 4 faced the gallery and mirrored the front door at the opposite end. Two apartment doors lined up in between and faced out into the courtyard. The same pattern repeated on the opposite side of the courtyard. The connecting section, at the far end, was different. There were two apartment doors downstairs and a wrought iron balcony on the second floor, accessible from the inside by tall French doors.
Turning back to Number 4, Lilly opened the heavy oak door. She stood in the center of the sitting room and exhaled a huge whoosh of air. Her shoulders softened, and her stomach uncoiled as her eyes took in the room. An overstuffed sofa, sturdy coffee table, old wooden rocking chair, empty bookcase and an end table with a bright yellow lamp, created an inviting living space. Sunlight filtered through the narrow transom window over the front door. An intercom was installed next to the door. Lilly put her hand on the buttons of the intercom, ‘No one can come in unless I buzz them in. Perfect.’
The late morning sun poured through the large window in the bedroom. Looking out, Lilly could see a corner of the courtyard and nearby rooftops. Making sure the window was inaccessible to any outside intruders, she sighed in relief and plopped onto the double bed. The mattress was perfect, but the springs were squeaky.
Across from the bed, stood an antique mahogany dresser with a beveled mirror mounted on top. A bedside table with a reading lamp completed the furnishings. ‘It’s a good thing I don’t have many clothes,’ she thought, opening the tiny bedroom closet.
The bathroom was classic black and white tile with a claw footed tub, a shower head, and a pedestal sink. A round window with frosted glass opened outward on a hinge. A narrow closet in the corner was perfect for towels and toiletries.
What a delightful surprise to find the kitchen when she opened the folding doors of a closet in the hallway. There was a two-burner stove, a half-sized sink, and a refrigerator under the tiny counter. Shelves lined the back wall filled with a collection of mismatched plates, cups, glasses, pots, and pans, all stacked neatly.
The apartment was cozy. The natural light from the transom window over the front door, the round window in the bathroom and the large window in the bedroom, provided enough light to make it cheerful. Sitting in the rocking chair for a few minutes and imagining herself living in the apartment, her fingers tingled as they moved over the smooth wood of the old rocking chair. “Yes, this is it,” she declared out loud.
Running down the stairs and up the carriageway, she burst into Panthea’s Pantry surprising a different woman behind the counter. This woman had long gray braids and a pointy nose.
“Can I help you?”
“I want to rent the apartment upstairs, Number 4.”
“Oh, the apartments are Jolene’s domain. She is with a client right now. Can you wait?”
“Yes, of course, I can,” Lilly said breathlessly.
“Wonderful, make yourself at home. Have a look around, if you need anything, my name’s Sabine.” She smiled and Lilly noticed her severe face, with its long pointy nose transformed, revealing a gentle soul whose eyes shown with friendliness.
Lilly wandered over to shelves lined with jars filled with a variety of herbs. She read the names of the herbs and tried to remember their uses. She found Basil on the shelf. Aunt Pearl always had at least half dozen basil plants in her garden. Lilly loved the smell and taste of it. She and her Aunt spent hours harvesting and drying the herbs. As they worked together, Lilly learned the healing properties and the more esoteric uses of the herbs.
Lilly’s lips parted as she closed her eyes and remembered a rainy summer afternoon in her Aunt’s kitchen. They were making basil pesto. She could still smell the delicious aroma as her Aunt explained one of the healing properties of basil.
“When a person finds themselves at a crossroad in life,” Aunt Pearl explained, “Basil will help with the anxiety and doubt accompanying their arrival. Decisions, sometimes hard decisions, must be made at the crossroad. Basil will stimulate the spiritual energy of trust. Smelling basil, putting it on the tongue and savoring it, activates the revival of zest and enthusiasm for life, easing doubt and fear.”
Lilly took the jar of basil from the shelf, opened it, stuck her nose in and inhaled deeply. She slipped a tiny bit on her tongue, willing the magic of the basil to ease her recent arrival at the crossroads. Next a jar of nettles drew her attention. She remembered Aunt Pearl suggesting it to a client. Her Aunt assured the stern looking woman the herb would ease her digestive upset, then once the woman was gone, Lilly heard Aunt Pearl mutter, “The nettle will also hold your tongue. You are going to have a harder time spreading your lies and gossip.”
Lilly smiled and blinked back tears. The herbs and spices brought memories of Aunt Pearl to the forefront of her mind. She wiped the tears gathering in the corners of her eyes and allowed memories of Aunt Pearl to come.
Before her years with Alex, Lilly saw clouds of color surrounding all living things. The colors were something she took for granted. Her father and Aunt Pearl shared her ability. They often discussed the meaning of the colors, shapes
