“And only say the bad things behind their backs,” my cousin teased.
We giggled together, and I hugged her hard. “I wish I could take you with me, Dani Jo.”
“Oh, I would go in two ticks of a heartbeat if I could.” She rubbed my back. “But you can do it. Your daddy’s right. None of us have ever seen you shy away from doing something you feel is right.”
“Guess stubbornness runs in the family,” I said, pulling my suitcase closer to inspect the contents one last time.
“Speaking of obstinate members of our bloodline,” my father interrupted, causing my cousin and me to jump. “I just got a call from Jo. He says to bring you up to the big house one last time.”
I whined in protest, trying to convince him I needed to stay on task. Since he kept insisting I should go back, I gave in and squeezed in between him and my cousin in his truck.
“I’ll bet Granny wants to try one more time to convince me not to go,” I moaned as I climbed out of his vehicle.
My father chuckled. “You might want to hold onto your money for now.”
As we walked up the steps onto the front porch, the scent of cigar smoke wafted in the air and one of the chairs creaked as it rocked. “Hey, Granddad,” I said, greeting the ghost of my father’s father and leaning down to scratch Slobby Bobby on his doggy head.
We entered into the foyer of the big house, and Uncle Jo called for us to come into the living room. Aunt Delia motioned for Dani to come sit by her on the couch, and my father and I stood as I faced my family.
“What?” I asked, crossing my arms in premature defense.
Uncle Jo pointed at the elephant coin necklace lying on the dark wood of the coffee table. “You know how this works, right?”
“Of course. It allows any of our dearly departed relatives to take a ride in it, so to speak.” I looked to my father to clear up my confusion. “You know I’ve been using it for ages now.”
“That’s the point, butter bean.” Dad nodded at the object. “We’d like you to take it and wear it at all times while you’re away.”
I picked the coin up in my fingers, letting the chain dangle down. “I guess I can wear it underneath my clothes. It’ll allow a little piece of home to be with me. Thanks.”
“Maybe more than just a little piece,” Uncle Jo interjected. “We want you to take a family member with you.”
My thumb rubbed over the etched elephant. Flipping the token over, I read aloud the stamped phrase, “Non ducor, duco. I guess it’s appropriate that it’s in Latin considering I’ll be in Italy.” I raised my eyes to glance around the room. “But isn’t it risky for me to take a family member in that kind of form so far away?”
“We’ve discussed that,” Aunt Delia said, leaning close to her husband. “And we think it depends on who it is.”
“Well, Granddad likes to ride along the most,” I said, considering the choice. “He’s probably the strongest by far.”
“No, he’s not.” Granny Jo materialized beside me, wringing a dish towel in her hands.
I gaped at my ghostly great-grandmother. “Wait a minute. You’re not suggesting that you want to go with me.”
“I ain’t suggestin’ anything. I’m tellin’ you that if any of us Jewells are gonna go with you for protection, then it might as well be me.” She nodded her head for emphasis, and her whole body shimmered in and out of view.
Pointing at her spectral figure, I looked to the others to talk her out of it. “I appreciate the sentiment, and I’ll be happy to wear the token. But I don’t think it’s worth the risk that I might lose her.”
Uncle Jo raised his hand. “I once took Aunt Eustasia with me on the 127. She did just fine on the world’s longest yard sale, which lasted three whole days plus travel time from here to Michigan, all the way down Highway 127 to Gadsden, Alabama, and back home. She did just fine.”
“But at any moment you thought you might be losing her, you could come right back.” I placed one hand on my hip while the other gesticulated at the window and the wide world beyond it. “I’m going to be across an entire ocean!”
Granny Jo huffed and hovered next to me, waiting for my panic to subside. “It’s always been my choice to remain here, much like the other Jewells. But I feel it down to my rattlin’ bones that I’ll be just fine to go with you. Maybe even see about some of that food you’ve been talkin’ my ears off that you wanna try. Couldn’t hurt to learn some new recipes.”
With the rest of my living family members encouraging me to accept the incredible gift, I tried to oblige with a little grace but couldn’t help giving voice to my final concern. “But what if I lose you?”
“Funny, that’s the same question I’ve been asking your daddy and uncle for a week now,” she retorted. My ghostly great-grandmother lifted her hand up as if to cradle my cheek. A cold energy caressed my skin. “Child, let me do this and try to keep a watchful eye on you. Believe me, I’m much more expendable than your precious life.”
Tears welled in my eyes. “Thank you, Granny,” I whispered.
“You’re more than welcome. I’m glad that’s settled then. Before you leave in the morning, you stop on by and pick me up.” She clapped her hands and rubbed them together. “Now, who wants some pecan
