Page 16 of Witch
“Mama. Pops. What if I can’t do this? For one of the few times in my life, I’m scared.”
“Caring for something as precious as people you love, animals you love, is scary,” said Matthew. “Gaspar, the day you were born, I had a conversation with God. A virtual one.” Gaspar chuckled at his father, nodding.
“I was going to ask if it was in person,” he smirked.
“No,” said Matthew. “I begged him, pleaded with him to give me time to see you grow into a fine man, to allow you to grow into a fine man. He granted me that wish and a million others. So many that at times, I didn’t feel worthy. I look around this land and know how absolutely blessed I am. But hear me, Gaspar. If the land was gone. If the bayou was no more. If your mother and I had been forced to raise all of you in a two-bedroom apartment in New Orleans, I still would have been blessed because I had you.”
“Pops,” he sniffed, wiping his tears.
“Because you arrived, because you lived, all this was made possible, Gaspar.”
Gaspar stared at his father, then his mother.
“That’s right,” she smiled. “If you hadn’t lived through the first few weeks, I would never have been able to have other children. Every child that was born here was a gift of more time, and more blessings.”
“Mama. Your miscarriage. The one…” He couldn’t continue, swallowing as his mother placed her hand on his cheek.
“It was meant to be. But had the child lived, we would have had sixteen, instead of fifteen. But I was given something more, Gaspar. Look at all of this. All of these blessings. I might be a little crazy,” she giggled. “Some would say eccentric. But I’m a blessed woman.”
“I think we all are, Mama. I think all of this has taught me to count those blessings and enjoy them.” His parents smiled at him, and he stood with them, walking toward the docks. Turning, he waved at the animals, and Semu rushed toward him, hugging him.
“Okay, girl. I’m okay,” he laughed. She waved, and then he turned to his parents once again. “Do you really think I can do this?” Matthew just laughed.
“I think you’re already doing it.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
“Aunt Claudette, I’m never going to remember all of this,” said Luke.
“Luke, I’m just going to the other island. It’s time. It’s time for you, Ajei, Cam, Kate, Sophia Ann, Eric, Hex, and Gwen to take over the big house. Your children are secure in their lives, and you must now know the secrets of the house and all the power it possesses.”
“I’m not sure I can do this,” said Ajei, looking at the magnificence of the home. The antiques alone required care that none of them knew about.
“You can do this, and I’ll be here to help. Jake knows as much as me now. The next generation will now be the keepers of this house. Let’s start with the library.”
“My favorite place in the whole world,” smiled Eric. “I spent hours here as a child.”
“I think we all did,” grinned Ajei. “The volumes of books, the sheer numbers, and the rare books, just boggles my mind.”
“Good. It should,” smiled Claudette. “You’ll need to familiarize yourself with all of them. These books have helped us, saved us on many occasions as resource materials. The information in here about the gardens, the bayou, the land, all of it, is critical to Belle Fleur’s life.”
“Has Noelle been informed?” asked Luke.
“Noelle was informed long before all of this,” smiled Claudette. “Trevon will be the head gardener for Belle Fleur from now on.”
“That’s awesome,” smiled Ajei.
“Yes. He’s exceptional with the plants. Trevon and Rachel will ensure that life breeds through plants, through our soil. You all will ensure that this house remains a beacon of hope, sanctuary, resilience, and a tribute to all those that came before us.”
“That’s a lofty charge, Aunt Claudette,” said Luke.
“Believe me, I know, honey. Alright, it’s going to take years to become completely familiar with the library, but as I said, Jake and I will be here to help. As you know, one of the best rooms in this house is the kitchen,” she smiled.
“Oh, Claudette, I’m not sure that kitchen is the right place for any of us,” said Kate.
“Make it the right place,” she said sternly. “This kitchen has fed souls for more than two hundred years. It’s been the site of important decisions, private conversations, births, deaths, marriages, engagements, and so much more. This is truly the heart of this home, and you all will learn to have your time here.
“There are plenty of bedrooms with private baths. Pick one. You eight people will be living together here, just as Mama, Pops, Miss Ruby, Sven, Mary, and George lived. You need one another. You need to have access to consult with each other quickly. You are the new seniors.”
