…The old woman closed her eyes and leaned back as if to see the images that Mrs. Kerry was describing inside of her own mind’s eye. She held her head back, closed her eyes and rolled her eyeballs upwards into her head. She moaned a bit. When she opened her eyes she asked, “Now tell me, Chil’ w’atcha wan’ me ta do for ya? …Doncha’ wan’ t’ kno’ wha’ ta do wit dat t’ing?” The old woman had changed the topic as if she had seen enough of the dream and had no more questions about it.
Mrs. Kerry knew that she was talking about the amulet, so she described it and explained how she found it. “…It was in his pocket, but I don’t know what it means. I just know that it gave me an eerie feeling and sent chills through my body when I touched it. I went to my pastor, but he was no help at all.”
“So dis hab made ya’ very scared, eh? Ya be scared ta death and ya come to see Mama Selena ‘cause ya kno’ dat she am de only one dat kin help ya’, yes?”
“Yes, Mama, I came to see you because… well, my mother used to tell me about you and that you could communicate with some very powerful spirits and that you are a very good God fearing woman. I don’t know why else I came, except for that.”
“Yes, I still sees yo’ mama from time to time; she such a good soul. I knos her well, but nah Chil’ list’n to me, Mama Selena will tell ya wha’ ta do. Firs’ of all, dat man be evil. Ya already kno’ dis by nah…but ya’ mus’ be very careful.”
The old woman got up and walked over to a large chest of drawers and opened the top drawer; she reached inside and pulled out a tiny silver cross. She turned back to Mrs. Kerry. “Put dis on, ‘n ya must neva ta’e kit toff. It twill shield ya from de evil dat been acirclin’ ‘round ya’ house. Den ya mus take ya’ Bible and place hit ton de nightstand beside da bed. Leave it op’n to de Twenty-third Psalm. Make sho’ dat ya read it erry marnin’ and ya must read dem words out loud. Dis will create de air where dem evil t’ings must depart from ya. Den ya mus’ drink dis tea…”
She reached into her bosom and retrieved a small burlap sachet of herbs that was tied together with a string. “Drink one cup in da marnin’ and one cup at night befo’ goin’ ta bed. And listen Chil’, don’ not let dis man be touchin’ ya ‘til a new moon rises up. Ye hear?”
Mrs. Kerry listened attentively and made mental notes of everything that Mama Selena said to her. She was reviewing the instructions in her head when the old woman said. “I kno’ dat ya wil’ find dis very hard to r’memba, but it twill come to ya’ when ya leave. I hab gave ya comfort and ya will be protected as long as ya be wearin’ dat cross. Do ya und’rstand?”
“Yes, I understand. Now tell me what to do when he comes home tonight?”
“Don’ worry, Chil’, he won’ be comin’ back t’night.”
Mrs. Kerry wanted to ask her how she knew that he would not be coming home, but decided against it. She had taken this step to consult with the most highly regarded spiritualist on the island, so she wasn’t about to challenge her on anything she said. Instead she asked, “Well, what shall I do whenever he does come back? I know that he will be coming back someday.”
“Tell him dat Mama Selena hab seent him. Tell him dat I sa’ he don’ gon’ too far and it too late ta turn back. He won’ believe ya and argue dat dere is not’ing wrong; den ya must tell him dis…tell him dat da blood of de goat be on his han’ and he kin neva wash dem away.”
“You say tell him about a goat!”
“Yes, tell him dat Mama Selena hab seent da blood of de goat on him!”
“Well, what does that mean, Mama? If you don’t mind me asking?”
“It mean…dat he will die! Now leave me Chil’ ‘n go yo’ way.” The old woman got up from the table and walked back over to the pot boiling in the fireplace. The flame had grown larger and flickered about on the bottom of the pot. She took a long wooden spoon and stirred deep into the broth. Reaching down into the bubbling brew she scooped up a whole chicken onto the ladle. Mrs. Kerry’s jaws went slack while staring at the chicken.
The old woman turned to her and said in sober direct voice, “ Don’ worry y’rself Chil’, t’ings will be alright. And don’ botha yo head ‘bout dis chicky her’ neetha; dis here ain’t no black magic, oh no Chil’… dis un here, dis gon’ be my suppa!” And she let out a cackling laugh.
Mrs. Kerry was laughing too when she walked out of the door, still rehearsing in her mind everything that Mama Selena had said. She was calmer and her spirit was considerably more uplifted. Mrs. Kerry reached up and touched the cross that Mama Selena had placed about her neck. Not knowing why she did it, she took the cross in her fingertips, raised it up to her lips and kissed it before replacing it inside of her blouse and walking home.
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