Jillian Chantal

This week’s word prompt for the writers of Tuesday Tales is hard. I found three uses of it in the snippet I am sharing- goes to prove these aren’t edited as I will def be getting rid of one or two of them…LOL – I am still working in my ghost story.

Check out the other tales here

Jackson insisted on accompanying Lu back to her house. She didn’t really want to have an escort, but he was nothing if not a gentleman. One from a different era. Lu couldn’t bear to hurt his feelings so she allowed him to walk back toward her place with her and Aneto.

As they passed the theater, he looked up and waved at the man in the upper window with the rope around his neck. “That up there is Hosea Poole. Hanged for stealing. Poor man. He says he was innocent.” Jackson shook his head. “Not sure he told the truth there, but hanging is a hard way to die so I feel sorry for him either way.”

Lu didn’t have anything to say to that. Far be it from her to question the ethics of a spirit.

When they passed the old Christ Church, the three priests from the day before greeted Jackson. He smiled at them and kept walking. “Nice men. They worked really hard to save lives during one of the yellow fever epidemics. They all eventually succumbed to the disease themselves. They’re buried there and still look out for the souls on my side of the veil as well as pray for those who use the church now. Weddings are their particular favorites. They like to pray for the bride and groom as well as family and friends. It is nice for them to be able to continue their calling.”

“But if there’s a heaven, why aren’t they there? Don’t priests work hard to get their just rewards?”

“Oh, how little you understand about how the world—and all its miracles—works.”

He was right. She didn’t understand at all. Why would priests who saw heaven as the ultimate reward stick around in poky old Pensacola when glory was waiting beyond the pearly gates? “I guess I don’t understand. Can you enlighten me?”

“No. I think it best you watch and learn yourself. Now that you have been awakened to all the miracles around you, it will be your new occupation to pay close attention. See what lessons you can learn from the spirits who occupy both your realm and the eternal.” He swept his hat off and bowed. “And now, I must away. New Orleans is calling to me and I should obey her siren call.” He grinned. “Besides, I have an engagement with Jean and Pierre Lafitte. They will be expecting me in due course.”