Page 19 of Stronger Than Blood

Chapter seventeen

Rory

Igave Madam Bellamy the hotel's address and had already booked and paid for her room before she arrived. If she was willing to come all the way here for me, I would sure as hell cover her hotel bill. I’d been cleaning the store while Mick worked over at the café.

He’d come in on Friday overwhelmed but happy. Supposedly, they sold out of food before he could even get it out on display. I’d need to taste some of the desserts if they’re that good, I thought.

I found myself enjoying Mick’s company more and more. No, he wasn’t my usual type. I tended to go for men bigger and bulkier than me, but I’d also never met someone who made all my electrons sizzle like Mick seemed to.

I didn’t mind helping even when he wasn’t around. Yes, I was working for free, and no, it didn’t really make sense why I was willing to, but it did feel right and like something I was supposed to be doing. A year working with Madam had certainly taught me the importance of following my heart.

I got back to the hotel and knew instantly that Madam was already there. I rushed up to my room and showered, determined to take her to see the sights of the town. I came out of my room and almost ran headlong into her.

“Madam, you’re here!” I exclaimed and hugged her before I could think better of it. Luckily, she just laughed.

“I see you’ve missed me.”

I nodded and pouted like a kid. “I did miss you. Are you hungry?” I asked.

“Oh, I smelled something amazing when I came in, but unfortunately, it looks like it sold out before I got here.”

“That’d be the baked goods from the man that brings you here,” I admitted. “He sold out yesterday too, so I’m not surprised he did again today, but there’s a restaurant where one of my family members works, if you can believe it, and the food is delicious.”

I realized I was rambling, but Madam didn’t seem to care.

She slipped her arm into mine in a carefree way she’d never done before and let me escort her out of the hotel and down the street toward the restaurant.

I realized I probably should’ve offered to drive, but she didn’t seem upset.

In fact, she seemed happier than I’d ever seen her.

The moment we were in the café, I introduced her to Mrs. Kennedy.

Madam took her hand and smiled. “You’ve got a good life, and I see you’re about to…

” She stopped short and looked around. “I’m sorry, I-I don’t get outside my shop too often.

I forget the general public isn’t always looking for a reading. ”

Mrs. Kennedy looked at me and back at Madam, and I quickly introduced her. “This is Madam Bellamy. She’s my boss and mentor. She’s visiting me.”

Mrs. Kennedy smiled guardedly. “Seat yourself. What would you like to drink?” she asked.

Madam smiled. “Do you have sweet tea?” she asked, and finally, Mrs. Kennedy’s mouth lifted into a grin.

“Yes, ma’am, we do, I’ll bring it over. Same for you, Rory?” she asked, knowing that’s what I always got.

When seated, I asked, “What did you see?”

She shook her head. “Not for me to say, not without an invitation. I got carried away.”

“You know she’s married to my cousin. The one you told me about.”

Madam nodded. “Yet, it’s still her business.”

A few moments later, Mrs. Kennedy came out, placed our teas down, and told us to help ourselves to the buffet… then she paused. “Madam Bellamy, do you have a moment?” she asked. Madam nodded and then motioned for me to go get my food.

When I came back, Mrs. Kennedy looked sad. “So, I’m right to consider it?”

Madam patted her hand. “I’m sorry I spouted off, but yes, it’s time. That man of yours is ready for retirement. And,” Madam whispered so only Mrs. Kennedy could hear, “I’m guessing so are you.”

Mrs. Kennedy squeezed Madam’s hand and nodded. “Your food is on the house, Madam Bellamy, even if you’ve given me a whole bunch to think about.”

Mrs. Kennedy winked at me before disappearing back to the front of the restaurant. “She’s thinking of retiring?” I whispered ’cause I already knew that information would cause quite a ruckus, as fond as the townsfolk seemed to be of her cooking.

“Now, Rory, you know about my confidentiality rules. If Mrs. Kennedy wanted you in her business, she wouldn’t have waited for you to leave before she spoke with me.”

“True, okay, well, you should go fill your plate. The food here is dreamy.”

Madam Bellamy grinned and stood, her long flowing skirts billowing around her as they always did. She filled her plate and came back, and I enjoyed seeing her face as she dug into the deliciousness. “Wow, I haven’t had food this good since New Orleans before Katrina. This is amazing.”

I smiled and finished my plate. The one thing you got from working in a hot, dirty old building was an appetite. Otherwise, I’m sure the rich food here would make me gain a hundred pounds.

“So, where’s this man of yours?” Madam asked as she polished off a piece of cornbread.

“Well, not my man, for sure, but he’s probably home asleep. He came in early this morning to work here, in fact. Like I said, it was his food you smelled when you came into the hotel.”

“I see,” she replied, and I could tell she was seeing a lot.

“Well, I can certainly feel that things are changing, and I just got here. Speaking of…” she said and sighed as she put her fork down, “there’s been some changes back in Memphis you should know about.

” I cocked my eyebrow and waited for her to tell me.

“So, a few months ago, a company approached me wanting to purchase my building.”

I nodded, but a sick feeling in my gut told me where this was going.

Madam eyed me, then shook her head. “Rory, I knew before you showed up looking all innocent and excited about the occult that the winds of change were blowing at my door. Honestly, I thought you were probably there to learn how to take over for me, but then we realized your talents lay elsewhere, and…” she quickly added before I could moan, “when this company offered to pay significantly more than I paid for the place, I knew they were who I was expecting.”

“You’re closing up the store?”

Madam shrugged. “You know Beale Street isn’t really the same as when I arrived. It’s changed, and I’m a middle-aged woman who is tired and ready to disconnect from the world, or at least be a little less connected.”

She sighed again and began picking at her food.

“Listen, being a psychic, a real one, is exhausting work. I know it looks sexy and fun, but every reading I do pulls energy from me. I’m not the twenty-year-old woman I once was, and now, I find myself struggling to get through the day. I’m ready for retirement.”

“What are you going to do?” I asked, feeling a sadness I hadn’t felt since I had to leave my grandparents’ home for the last time.

Madam looked around and smiled. “I wasn’t wrong that you were an important element of my retirement. I already feel like this is my home. It felt right from the moment I drove into town.”

“Piston Creek?” I asked, surprised.

Madam laughed. “Son, I grew up in a tiny town just south of Lafayette. My people were small-town folks, and although I know my life will never be back there, something feels right about here. Don’t you feel it?” she asked, causing me to pause.

I thought for a few moments and had to smile. “The moment I drove into town, it felt special, and nothing I’ve seen thus far has convinced me it’s anything less.”

“So,” she said and took my hand, “I’ve got to go back to Memphis to close up shop, but yes, son, I think I’ll be coming back here. I think this will be home, at least for the foreseeable future.”

I shook my head. “Well, in that case, I guess we should both consider our options.”

When Madam put her hand over mine, I saw the image of a small but quaint little apartment in my mind. Then, I had the image of Mick’s uncle’s building. “Um, I think I might have found your next home unless you’re wanting a big house or something.”

“Oh no, I want to travel. I’m looking for a small apartment or a condo. Something without a yard or a lot of responsibilities.”

“Well, if my intuition is correct—”

She looked at me, then leaned closer. “Your gifts are finally opening up.” She turned my hand over, placed hers on top of it, and smiled. “So, it’s love. Well, it's not like I shouldn’t have seen that for myself. Love is often the key.”

“Wait, love? No, I’m not in love. Maybe someday, but not yet.”

Madam just laughed. “Okay, lust, desire for now. I get it. So when do I get to meet this handsome unlove of yours?”

“Ugh,” I moaned. “First, let’s go over to the building I’ve been helping clean out. I have a feeling you’re going to be very interested in it.”

Mrs. Kennedy waved us on when I offered to pay and thanked Madam again for her advice before I led her across to where Mick’s uncle’s building stood.

I unlocked the door and led her inside. She didn’t cringe like I assumed she would, but we were only inside the building a few moments before she turned and walked through to the back.

That area still had piles of junk, but Madam walked right around it to a door and tugged it open.

Without looking back, she walked up the stairs with me close to her heels.

I hadn’t been up there. I hadn’t even paid attention to the door. When we reached the top of the stairs, Madam stopped, causing me to walk around her. “Wow, it’s perfect,” she said, and I saw her looking at someone who wasn’t there.

I was pretty used to that by now, but I was a bit put off that someone was haunting the place, and I hadn’t even realized it. “So, who owns this now?” she asked, and I wasn’t sure if she was asking me or the spirit.

She turned toward me, and I said, “I believe it belongs to Mick’s grandmother.”

“Is this what you saw when you touched my hand in the restaurant?” she asked, and I looked around the pigsty that was an apartment.

“Um, maybe after it’s not filled to the rafters with junk.”

Madam chuckled. “All good things are a work in progress. I need to speak to…” She stopped talking and sighed. “Well, I guess I need to talk to your guy,” she said and looked back at where I supposed the spirit stood.

“You got some bad news about Mick, didn’t you?” I asked.

“Oh, not bad, but definitely sad. Come on, you should change and get back to cleaning out this space. I’m going to go back to my hotel room and meditate for a while. There’s so much happening around me spiritually at the moment. I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed.”

I nodded. “Okay, yeah, if you don’t mind, that’d be great. It feels important to get all this cleaned out, and the sooner, the better,” I said. “Although I’m not sure why.”

Madam just winked at me. “Sometimes it’s more fun not to know.”