| |
BIANCA HAD BEEN HOME less than a month when her grand-mere passed away peacefully in the night. She came to Bianca the night she died, warning her to be careful of those she trusted and that voodoo could be dangerous in the wrong hands.
As Bianca drove to the funeral home, she wondered why her grand-mere warned her of that. She shook off the feeling and looked at everyone gathered around the entrance to the funeral home. Her grand-mere was well loved, and possibly feared, by many. Several of grand-mere’s customers were happy to hear that Bianca planned to continue her grand-mere’s traditions and would keep the shop open. They welcomed her in the shop; some remembered her from when she was younger. By the time her grand-mere passed away, most of her regular customers were already comfortable with Bianca performing the readings and preparing potions for them.
The number of those wishing to pass on their condolences grew rapidly as Bianca made her way into the funeral home. The wake was all day today and the actual funeral would take place tomorrow afternoon. Friends and family would also have tomorrow morning to stop by the funeral home to pay their respects. Funerals were a big deal here in South Louisiana, especially in New Orleans. This whole week had been full of tears, food and alcohol. After the funeral tomorrow, her grand-mere’s life would be celebrated with a couchon de lait where everyone gathered for food, alcohol and to reminisce about her.
Years ago, her grand-mere informed her that it was Bianca’s destiny to follow in her footsteps. As a child, her grand-mere taught her about voodoo and the difference between the spells. She explained to Bianca that it was in her very blood, that she had the gift. None of her other sisters had the gift, only Bianca. When Bianca asked about the black magic associated with voodoo, her grand-mere tried to deter her thought processes. Bianca wondered if her grand-mere had sensed her death approaching, or if, perhaps, she saw what Bianca was up to in New York. Could that be why she insisted Bianca come home? Bianca had felt New Orleans calling her, but she also believed that she still had more to learn in New York. However, she could not ignore her grand-mere’s request.
The next day, Bianca was amazed at how many people turned out for the funeral reception. The reception center was bursting at the seams with people. Had it not been for the fact that everyone wore black it could have easily been mistaken for a wedding reception. The parishioners must have stayed up all night cooking the food. One buffet table was piled high with various barbecued meats and side dishes. Another table overflowed with pies, cakes, cookies and other treats. Along the back wall was another table for various fruit and vegetable trays as well as an assortment of cheeses, crackers and sandwiches.
Upon entering the room, Bianca felt her grand-mere’s presence. She looked around and found her in the middle of the room looking upon the crowd with a smile on her face. When she saw Bianca, she looked at her with sadness in her eyes. Bianca smiled at her grand-mere and gave her a small wave. If only she could tell her grand-mere not to worry, that everything would be okay. Bianca never could lie to her grand-mere and she would be lying if she promised that. Bianca still had no idea what her dreams meant or what the future held for her, but she intended to find out.