The Foreshadower-2
1296 Words
“Ms. Noel, you don’t have to go to all this trouble.”
“Hush, chile!” She stopped unloading the sack and turned to me, “When’s the last time you ate?”
“Uh…” My cheeks blushed.
“Chile, hard times make a monkey eat pepper. Now sit down at the table and let me fix ya a bowl of gumbo.” I obeyed, taking a seat at the small, rounded table in the corner by the window. My eyes washed over the large flower print curtains. I smiled to myself. The print was a bold yellow with large red roses. Not so trendy, but I didn’t care. The curtains were perfect for the kitchen. A bemused smile played across my face. Elbows on the table as I gazed out the window. For the first time in a long time, I felt happy. This place might work after all. And I especially liked my new neighbor.
Ms. Noel made her way to the table and set down a hot bowl of soup in front of me. Curls of steam floated to my face as I drank in the delicious aroma. “I’m known around her’ for my Creole gumbo.” Pride colored her face. “I make my roux with chicken fat and brown it until it’s dark as chocolate. Then I throw in chicken and sausage with onions, celery, and pepper. That makes it good tastin’. Now eat up before it gets cold,” she handed my spoon to me. “When ya get done with that, I gotta sweet potato pie for ya too.” She padded off to the counter, pulling out a gallon of milk from one of the sacks and poured a large glass. She made her way back to the table and set it beside my bowl.
“Thank you, but you don’t have to fuss over me.” Guilt rode hard on my heart. It was apparent she didn’t have the money to feed me, and she shouldn’t be waiting on me. Still, I appreciated her kindness. “Ms. Noel, you’re far too considerate.” I didn’t mention that this was my first and only meal today. Before Sara left this morning, she’d discovered my stash and stole the ten bucks I’d been saving to give back to Ms. Noel.
“It’s nothin’, chile,” she faintly groaned, taking a seat at the table across from me. Quiet rested between us momentarily while I slurped up the tasty gumbo. “You likin’ your new job?” Ms. Noel asked.
I shrugged. “Yes, ma’am! It won’t conflict with school.” I took another large bite and savored the flavor.
“How did ya and ya mama discover Tangi? It’s not often we get newcomers.”
“I wish I knew myself.” I snorted out a sharp laugh. “Sara has a way of finding places off the grid.” I gulped down half my milk as my mouth burned and my eyes watered from the hot spices.
“It’s sure nice havin’ ya for a neighbor. My sister will like hearing that ya moved into her old house.” The warmth of her smile echoed in her voice.
“When is your sister, Fannie, getting out of jail?”
Ms. Noel burst into laughter, slapping her knee.
I merely stared, tongue-tied. What did I say?
“Chile, Fannie is no longer with us.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Fannie died a few years ago.”
“Wait! I thought you said you’ve recently spoken to her?” A flicker of apprehension jabbed my chest.
“I talk to the dead often.” Her pale blue eyes crinkled. “My sister comes to me when she hears talk.”
“Your sister is a g-g-ghost?”
“That’s right. I have the gift,” Ms. Noel admitted with pride. “Folks in these parts call me… The Foreshadower.”
The Foreshadower“What does that exactly entail?”
“I see you had an accident yesterday.” She nodded at my skinned-up elbows.
“Oh! Yeah, I sorta ran into the curb.” Blushing, I quickly hid my elbows under the table, “I forgot to look where I was going.”
“Was a fancy black car somehow involved?” Her blue eyes dug deep into me.
“Uh, yeah,” I paused. “Hey, how did you know?”
“You nearly collided, but somehow the car dodged you.”
“How do you know this?”
“Chile, you’ll soon find out that life’s never what it seems.”
A prickling sensation glided up my spine. Ms. Noel had my undivided attention. “Do you know the driver?”
“No, not directly.” Her lips curled into a smile. “Your encounter has a strong presence. He jarred Fannie’s attention.”
“Uh, your sister’s ghost saw the black Corvette that nearly pancaked me?”
“Yes.” Her face radiated as if this conversation was nothing more than watercooler gossip.
I couldn’t believe my ears.
“Fannie has been watching over you.”
“Watching over me. Why?” My stomach contracted into a tight ball.
“Fannie brought you to my attention. She thought you were a lost spirit.” Ms. Noel’s eyes filled with concern.
I leaned closer. My curiosity overrode my trippin’. “Did Fannie see the driver?”
“Not exactly. It’s different for the afterlife. They receive the living in broken pieces, like slicing film.”
“So, what did your sister see?”
“Fannie didn’t pick up much other than his soul was dark.”
“That can’t be good.” I blew out a sharp breath. “That whole occurrence was whacked.”
Ms. Noel listened quietly.
“All at once, I was staring death in the headlights of a black Corvette. All I could do was freeze. The driver was too close to veer from my path. Yet somehow, he pulled a Houdini, disappearing and reappearing on the other side of me.” I shuddered, thinking how close I came to death.
“That is some story,” Ms. Noel whistled.
“Did your sister say anything else?”
“No, but I’ll keep my ears open.” Then a light caught Ms. Noel’s face. “I almost forgot! I do need to warn you about something that has come to my attention.”
“What?” Crap! Ghost and disappearing cars… what next?
“I don’t mean to pry.”
“It’s okay,” I laughed a little.
“The fella, ya mama’s been keepin’ company with is a low down scoundrel. Uh-hmm, God don’t like ugly.” Ms. Noel slapped her hand on her knee, emphasizing her words.
God don’t like ugly“I don’t get involved with Mom’s love life. Usually, the life expectancy of her relationships lasts no longer than a month.” I didn’t say why.
“Well, stay away from that rascal, chile.” She patted my shoulder as she lugged herself to her feet. “Don’t forget to put up the rest of the food. If ya need me, ya know where I live.”
I walked her to the door and thanked her again for her generosity. I didn’t know why she took a shine to me. I certainly wasn’t going to complain. Considering Ms. Noel’s age and the generous kindness she’d shown me, I owed her the same in return. I reckoned it was time for me to get started on that garden she mentioned and lend a hand with other tasks like mowing the lawn. She was good folk and mighty impressive if I did say so myself.
- Writer
