“What or who is Jelly Roll Morton?” I heard Sandy ask as I opened the door to the pitch-black cellar, seeing only the first few steps, descending into the basement. Don’t be a sissy, I told myself. And don’t fall. But of course, thinking that, I almost did as the kitten, which I’d forgotten all about, suddenly darted between my ankles. That was close, I thought. I was very careful the rest of the way down, the lantern lighting my way but in fits and starts, light and shadows, constantly moving. Far above I heard the thunder, and through several very small windows I could see flashes of light, showing weeds and trash, and a few bird bones. Lucky me.
I reached the bottom and looked around. Of course the light didn’t reach the far sides, where boxes and other things were stashed. When I star
