Page 14 of Stronger Than Blood
I finished my beer with Stephen and headed home. I sat down in my ancient rocker recliner and stared at the studio apartment. No, there wasn’t much to keep me there, especially now I no longer work in Chattanooga.
I thought of Granny’s house and shuddered. Oh well, serial killer ghost or not, I couldn’t, or at least shouldn’t, be blowing money on an apartment when Granny’s house was empty, and she’d just lectured me about using it.
I figured I’d probably have to suck it up,unless… Uncle Eddie’s place. Damn, he had an apartment on the second floor where he’d lived before he got too old. Yes, it would be a rats' nest because, unlike his sister, the man didn’t worry so much about cleanliness, but I bet it could be cleaned up.
I fell asleep hopeful, even if it was a very small hope, that I would be able to stay somewhere besides Granny Ida's place.
Chapter nine
Rory
Iblushed as Elias Kennedy sat in front of me, smiling ear to ear. “After all these years. I just can’t believe after all these years—”
I sighed and forced myself to ask the hard question. “So, our family split up because my grandpa married a white woman?”
Elias’s mouth dropped open. “Oh, no, no, you got the wrong idea. But… is that what your grandpa told you?” he asked.
I shook my head. “No, sir, he didn’t really tell me anything. To be honest, I… well, I only found you because a lady at the AME church mentioned you and said you were living in Piston Creek.”
He glanced down sadly. “Well, the story went down like this: my grandfather was the eldest by quite a bit, your grandfather was twenty years younger and had a different mom. The gist of it is that my grandfather left the farm and married a woman who worked for the owner of the mansion up on the hill over yonder. That made his dad angry, so he ended up giving the land to your grandfather.”
I stared at him. I’d made up a whole story in my head that it had been because of my grandparents’ interracial marriage, andit ended up being just a big inheritance mess. “Wow,” I finally said. “All these years with our family not connecting because of a tiff over inheritance stuff?”
Elias chuckled. “Oh, son, it’s broken many a family up. In the end, I think it worked out. My dad became the pharmacist here in town, although, at the time, that was unheard of. I followed in his footsteps. I did hear that you’d sold the farm.”
I shook my head. “No, I didn’t. My grandparents did before they died. The taxes were steadily rising, and I was, according to my grandpa, ‘too green behind the ears to survive without help,’” I said and smiled at his honesty regarding my ambivalence about work. “So, they sold it and set up a trust for me. The land is now covered with ugly suburban houses.”
He nodded. “Well, I’m glad you reconnected. Rebecca is out of town, but I think you should meet her too. I’m guessing she’s only a few years older than you.”
I smiled. “I’m gonna guess your famous daughter won’t be too keen on meeting a wayward cousin. But I’m glad to have connected with you.”
Mrs. Kennedy came over just as I said that and sat down with us. “That wouldn’t be Rebecca at all. She’s very kind-hearted. I think she’ll like you too.”
Elias took his wife’s hand and nodded. “How long are you in town?” he asked.
I shrugged. “Not certain, to be honest, maybe a few more days. I was told, well…” I stopped talking, aware that I’d just put myself in a strange situation. How would I explain my work with Madam Bellamy?
The two stared at me, and I finally decided I might as well chase them away with my weird personality now instead of later when I became attached. “I-I’ve been working with Madam Bellamy, a psychic in Memphis. She told me I needed to get back to my past to see my future.”
I realized how strange that sounded, and so I added, “She’s really gifted, and I’ve been working for her for a year. Unfortunately, I don’t have the same gifts.”
Elias smiled. “Our people have always had a sixth sense. Although, to be honest, I thought it was on my mom’s side.”
I shook my head. “I… well, I can see ghosts, but not regularly, and certainly not consistently enough to make a living at it.”
I looked at Mrs. Kennedy, afraid I was going to see her recriminating stare. Southern folks tended to be one of four categories. Religious people who thought it was all the devil’s work. Those were the worst ’cause they sometimes made it their mission to drive anyone they thought was working with the devil out of town. Category two were religious but enjoyed getting their fortunes read from time to time, but only on the down-low. Then there were the ones brave enough to follow the occult. And lastly, those who frankly didn’t believe.
Mrs. Kennedy’s eyes were bright with interest. “Oh, I find all that just fascinating,” she said, not looking around to see who was watching. Okay, so she was number three then. Good, there was a chance we could still be friends.
“Now, wait a minute; this might just be perfect timing. Oh, I do love it when that works out. My great aunt Ida has a ghost in her house,” she whispered, maybe as a way to hide her aunt’s privacy. “She just told me her great-grandson all but refuses to move into her house again because a nasty ghost keeps harassing him. If you could—”
I looked over at Elias as he made eye contact with her. In that fleeting look, I could tell he was afraid that might drive me off. Oh boy, was he ever mistaken. “Yeah, I mean, I’d be very interested in talking to him, but like I said, my gift is not predictable, but if I can help—”
She winked at her husband and said, “Well, I happen to know he’s over cleaning out his uncle’s old store. Elias, honey, I don’t have time to go over and introduce them, but if you don’t mind.”
Elias just shook his head and leaned over the table to kiss his wife. “I’d be glad to help, dear, but,” he said, looking at me, “I reckon we best not start the conversation with ghosts. Why don’t I just go tell him that Brenda here thought you two might get on with each other?”
I chuckled. “I agree that might be the best way. I-I have to admit, I’m surprised you two didn’t kick me down the street. I don’t usually disclose this much information to people.”
