Page 23 of Witch
“Claudette? Did you know we had these?” asked Adele, pointing to a stack of books.
“I knew,” she nodded with a small smile. “Mama and Pops didn’t want it advertised, but it’s one of the reasons y’all need to familiarize yourselves with everything that’s in here.”
“What is it?” asked Erin.
“They’re first editions.The Great Gatsbyby F. Scott Fitzgerald, William Shakespeare'sFirst Folio, J.R.R. Tolkien'sThe Hobbit, J.K. Rowling'sHarry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Jane Austen'sPride and Prejudice, John James Audubon'sThe Birds of America,Paradise Lost, A Poem in Twelve Booksby John Milton, and dozens more. These books are worth thousands,” said Adele.
“They’re insured,” nodded Claudette. “But they have to be cared for. It’s so humid here, the pages can easily become covered in mildew or other bacteria. This room is kept at a good temperature, but someone needs to inspect the books often. If you notice any mildewed pages, simply use a water and vinegar mix and wipe them down.”
“I guess that would be our job now,” said Kate, looking at Ajei, Sophia Ann, and Gwen.
“It’s all our jobs,” said her mother, Savannah. “We’ll be close by, and we’ll create a schedule for all the work that needs to be done. What about the paintings? Do we hire someone for that?”
“Sort of,” smirked Lily. “Brit, Ela, Shay, Cassidy, and I have been handling it.”
“I forgot that you all have art, art history, or art preservation degrees,” grinned Sophia Ann. She shook her head, looking around at the room. “There’s so much here that needs special care. I’m just an engineer. I don’t know a thing about any of this.”
“Of course you do,” said Lauren, smiling at her daughter. “The chairs and tables in here are all historical antiques, designed and built by the people on this property. They have strange mechanisms and workings that only an engineer would figure out how to use.”
“Huh,” she smiled. “I guess you’re right.”
She lifted the top to the table she was seated at, watching as the teeth of the metal wheels worked with their partner to slowly lift the top, while moving the bottom closer to the user. It was a fascinating design.
“You know,” said Rachelle, “I would bet that if you were able to recreate these designs, you could design an entire collection of furniture that would sell for thousands.”
“Wow,” whispered Sophia Ann, turning to look at her twin, Susie. “We’ve been saying that we have more free time now with all the new brainiacs at the weapons factory. Maybe it’s something we think about.”
“I’d love to do something like this,” smiled her sister.
“There’s a lot to discover here,” said Irene, coming through the wall. They all laughed at her, shaking their heads.
“Grandma, is that really necessary?” smirked Liz.
“No, but it’s such fun, I just gotta do it,” she giggled like a child. “Come with me. I want to show you more of the gardens today.”
Irene, as they all knew, was a wise and experienced gardener. She stood in the midst of her lush, vibrant garden, surrounded by the group of eager young and old women. Or at least they were young to her. With a warm smile, she began to share more of the secrets of her botanical haven, the place where she felt most at home and most at peace.
"Welcome to my favorite place in the entire world, my garden, my precious girls," she said, her voice filled with pride and affection. "Here, you'll find our family’s collection of rare and unique plants, each with its own story and special qualities."
She led them to a corner where a peculiar plant with deep purple leaves and delicate white flowers grew.
"This is the Ghost Orchid," Irene explained. "It's a rare and elusive plant, known for its ethereal beauty. The Ghost Orchid thrives in humid environments like ours and can help improve the soil's moisture retention. Its roots form a mutually beneficial relationship with fungi, enhancing nutrient absorption for other plants nearby."
“Is that why we can grow such beautiful things here?” asked Gwen.
“It’s one of the many reasons, child.” She smiled at Gwen, a twinkle in her eye.
Next, Irene guided the young women to a patch of vibrant green foliage with tiny, bright red berries.
"This is the Dragon's Blood Tree," she said, gently touching the leaves. "Its sap is a deep red, resembling dragon's blood, and has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. I would guess that our friend, Mr. Hopkins, would suspect it to be riddled with witchcraft. The tree's presence in the garden helps to keep the pests away and enrich the soil with its nutrient-rich leaves when they fall."
“This is amazing, Mama,” said Rachelle. “All of this is something I should have asked about sooner.”
“You weren’t ready, baby.” Irene touched her daughter’s cheek and moved on.
As they continued their tour, Irene pointed out a plant with striking blue flowers that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight.
"This is the Blue Lotus," she said with a twinkle in her eye. "It's a symbol of enlightenment and rebirth. The Blue Lotus has a unique ability to purify the soil by absorbing heavy metals and toxins. Its roots also help to prevent soil erosion, making it an invaluable addition to any garden, but especially to one in south Louisiana."
