Jillian Chantal

This week, the writers of Tuesday Tales are writing to a picture prompt. I chose the one of a partially boarded up building. My story takes place in New Orleans which sadly still has a lot of buildings still with damage from Hurricane Katrina even after 17 years. Our heroine can see and communicate with spirits and she is talking to Andrew Jackson as they are on the way to the tomb of Marie Laveau. As we are limited to 300 words this week, I thought it best to give a bit of background for this part of the scene.

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“She does have the run of the city but likes to be in place during the day so she can listen to the pleas of her visitors and see if she can help.” He snickered. “And I personally think she loves the attention and likes to count the Xs on her tomb, as well as the circled ones.”

“What does the X mean that she likes to count them?”

“Pilgrims who have a wish they want her to grant draw an X on her tomb, turn around three times, knock on the side of the mausoleum and state their wish. They leave but if the wish is granted, they return, circle their X and leave her a gift to thank her.”

“That’s so interesting.”

“Not only will you see some flower offerings for her around her tomb, you’ll see a lot of coins as well. And kisses. Lipstick kisses which I find unappealing. The tomb is dirty and lip paint in my time was for harlots. I still wonder about it.” Jackson tipped his hat to Lu. “Except for you. You never wear that bright red color I do not like.”

“What’s he saying now?” Malcolm asked as he turned off the interstate toward the French Quarter. Several old buildings with plywood still on them from the unrepaired damage from Hurricane Katrina sat at the intersection, making Lu sad all over again about the devastation of that storm. So many people had never returned to the city and there were still way too many derelict buildings.

“He’s complimenting my subtle lipstick shade.”

Malcolm shook his head. “I don’t even want to know.”