A Recipe To Die For

THE WARNING

“Come,” said Angele, “there is a table and chairs in the corner where we can sit down and have a cup of tea. Do you like tea, Janelle?” “Very much, I developed the habit while I lived in London.” “London? Look at this Angele, we have a traveler in our midst,” said a laughing Shabante. “She is a daughter of the world. Who knows where she might settle next.” “Shabante is a very famous Priestess in Haiti”, sais Angele as she poured the tea. “ I have seen her do many wondrous things. Her powers are absolutely amazing. She is a very important spiritualist in the community especially during the Santeria drum and dance ceremonies. That’s when she communicates with the serpent, but I’ll never understand how she dances on fire without burning one inch of her body.” “Why you tell der dat? There is no fire in here. Dis pretty girl, she don need my help she has love surrounding her. Wait Janelle, let me hold your hand and take a good look at you.” As Shabante studied Janelle, a frown came over her face as she said, “I would like to give you a reading. I have a feeling dat der is something you must know.” “Yes, I think it would be fun, I would love a reading.” “Would you like the Tarot Cards, a Palm reading or tea leaves.” “The tea leaves, I choose the tea leaves,” said a slightly cautious Janelle. Angele heard the chimes, as a customer walked into her shop “Carry on without me,” she said as she left the room. Shabante picked up a long decorative stick; which had a black chicken foot attached to the end. The handle had a painting of a snake coiled in the water around the earth. Above the claw was a rattle with many bones and long colorful ribbons. Shabante shook the staff over the table and then over Janelle’s head as she started chanting.“Ogun oinre o, welcome ogun of onire,” she said as she put away the stick, and picked up a small cloth bag from her huge purse, “With dis bag of white sage, we will clean and purify dis space of negative spirits. You know, dey are all around us.” She waved the pouch around the table and once again all around Janelle. “Dere now da air is pure.” Janelle only nodded feeling a little odd with all this ritual formality. “We are now ready my dear, finish your tea. Good, now swirl de remaining liquid in da cup and very gently drain da rest onto your saucer. We must see where da leaves dey fall.” “Like this?” “Yes dat’s right now let me see. Oh my yes, you have had considerable sadness in your young life. I see you growing up alone and lonely. It has not been easy for you. You’ve always worked very hard. You did na mind the hard work when you found love. Dis was a happy time for a few years, den you parted. For a while your life was full yet empty. You see Janelle dat dis was a time for learning. It is wonderful dat you found him again; he is very good for you. Dis man is a worthy man dat has come back into your life. He is also very handsome, huh?” “Yes very.” “You have been very successful in your efforts. I see you surrounded by people who love you. I think dis is because you are a good pers…” Just then her eyes glazed over as she slipped into a trance and started to chant while her huge body rocked back and forth. Angele walked back into the room at the same time Shabante went into the trance. She put her fingers to her lips to warn Janelle not to talk. “Just listen,” she whispered in Janelle’s ear. “We mustn’t break the spell.” “No need to look to the future!” She said in a strange deep man’s voice. The air vibrated with the sound of the voice that was coming from Shabante’s throat. “You must first look behind you for the answer,” the voice hissed. “Ahead there is danger.” Shabante’s body shook back and forth so violently that she dropped the cup, which shattered as it hit the floor. Angele ran to catch Shabante as her body went into a spasm and she started to fall. The noise of the cup shattering woke her out of her trance. She looked dazed and confused as she rapidly blinked her eyes trying to focus. Janelle poured her some tea, and held the cup to her mouth to help revive her. She sipped the tea, then grabbed Janelle’s wrist and said, “Look behind you,” this time in her own voice while looking very worried. “I don’t understand,” said Janelle. “Neither do I, it’s something dat sometimes happens to me, I have no control over it. I will tell you dis very seriously Janelle, for I really like you, heed this warning and look behind you. Maybe in your past there was some unfinished business or some incident dat happened to you by a person dat is very evil.” “Don’t worry, Janelle,” said Angele. “Etienne, Beau and I know many people, that will protect you.” The ominous feeling within her suddenly changed her surrounding from fun to fear, as she stared at this woman. “I have a confession to make,” she said as she rubbed her throbbing temples, “When my flight landed in New Orleans, I felt this overwhelming sense of fear. It was so strong that I couldn’t move. My body became paralyzed. “Ah, then it’s true. Janelle don’t you see you were being warned?” said Angele. “What’s this all about? I just don’t understand why I would be in danger. I’ve never done anything to make someone want to hurt me. It’s all so confusing.”