Tuesday Tales: From the Word GREEN

Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales. Our word prompt is GREEN and our scenes are limited to 400 words. I’m continuing with Selma’s story.

Anca stood and paced. “Roberta told me about Laticia and the stroke. Why did you rename the parrot? I mean if Hester is still here, isn’t it confusing having two with the same name?”

Her aunt chuckled. “Actually, it makes me look less eccentric to strangers. Hester learned to possess the bird, giving her the freedom to move around that she’d never had. After my mother died, Delphine gave Sapphire to Hester—yes, she knew the ghost lived with us. Like Roberta, she could see and communicate with the spirits … both the good and the evil ones, although she made sure the evil ones could no longer come onto the property. As much as people may think the bird is mine, she isn’t. When I traveled, Hester came with me. Her essence remained inside the bird’s body, but she got to see the outside world. We often cruised, giving her the opportunity to understand why Hezekiah loved the sea and the green palm trees on the islands in the south. She felt closer to him there, as if he were just a breath away. Having her there prevented me from being alone in my exile.”

No wonder the bird could open and close her own cage.

“You said there was darkness in your mother. Did her spirit remain in the cottage?” An angry soul could account for that strange, unsettled feeling she’d had of being watched.

“No, dear. Gabriella, Delphine, and I contained her essence inside an urn with her ashes—we put her in stasis you might say. At Delphine’s urging, we packed up all of Mother’s personal items, not that there were many, burned the furnishings in her room, and then Delphine took her and her things to Black Swan where she released her spirit, hoping she would be happy there. Within a day, the hotel was consumed by flames. Delphine sent a message that Mother was at peace and should experience a timely rebirth. I never heard from her again. While Hester’s spirit was inside the bird, we cleansed the house of negative energy. Gabriella offered to help Hester cross, but she wasn’t ready to go. When she leaves, I’ll miss her, but I have Colby now and you.”

That’s it. Stay safe, and don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.