I forgave Ken for his insensitive remarks about my mental state. The way I felt was like I was losing my mind and it was real to me. I paused the search for the brunette woman. Funeral plans needed to be made.

Rosie’s favorite minister was on hand, and he selected the verses he would discuss. To blend in, she pretended to be a Christian in Savannah and attended church. Away from prying eyes, she practiced witchcraft. I found managing the florist and caterer was easier than expected. They knew my aunt well and understood her wishes.

Cousin Ralph was MIA the entire week. He thought I’d give him a list of things to do. Typical of his laziness.

Vehicles filled the driveway and lined the entrance and street below on service day. It was an overwhelming sight and brought tears to my eyes, knowing how loved my aunt was within the community.

A group of women referred to as ‘the old crones,’ lead the procession to the family graveyard. Someone held a burning bundle of white sage. Another carried an urn filled with sandalwood and frankincense. They believe the smoke from the incense not only warded off evil entities that might try to harm the dead, but it helped guide the spirits of the dead from becoming lost or forgotten.

Aunt Rosie had her tombstone pre-ordered, and her casket was already on the lift when we gathered around her gravesite. The inscription read, Finally flying with the spirits of my ancestors.

“We gather today to celebrate the life of Ms. Rosie Dawson-Harper.” The minister began. “By the looks of the crowd in front of me, she was loved. Rosie was a unique person with eclectic interests. She had a particular fondness of anything paranormal. We shared lively conversations about the afterlife. She told me to expect she may not leave this world spiritually. As a young girl, her mother taught her grounding, a ritual done every full moon, to connect the body’s energies with the core of the Earth.”

The minister surprised me with his speech. Something else Aunt Rosie never shared with me. I remember when I was a young girl, she would want me to walk barefoot on the lawn. She told me it was good for my soul. My positive energies flowing with the Earth’s negative ones would help clear my mind. I did it only for the sensation of the soft, cool grass under my feet, as I was too immature to relate to her teachings.

Inch by inch, Roxanne made her way up to me and nudged my arm. “Hey there.” She whispered. “Your aunt was full of surprises, wasn’t she? Oh, I can’t wait to do the reading here next month. If she had been grounding from early on, it would be easy for me to connect with her. This is exciting.”

I took hold of her hand and smiled, giving it a little squeeze. Since she was unaware of my last encounter, I planned to mention it after we all went up to the house.

The celebration lasted about an hour. Story after story came from Rosie’s close friends, remembering the special person she was to them. Once everyone spoke, I invited the crowd to join us. “I have enjoyed all your stories and know you must have more. I hope it will incline you to write them out in the memory book. Oh, and a drum circle tonight for those staying.”

As the crowd dispersed, my best friends approached and hugged me. “What a beautiful tribute,” Lucy said, dabbing at her eyes.

“Yes, you did a fabulous job.” Suzanne echoed. “Your aunt would be proud.”

“Thank you. I can’t believe I pulled it off. So much has happened since I last spoke to you guys. House for wine? Let’s go. I’ll tell you all about it.”

The caterers did a marvelous job setting the food up. Main dishes in the dining room, desserts in the parlor, and drinks in the bar area. Cousin Ralph was instrumental in helping them move some of the furniture into a different room. They set chairs and round cocktail tables with beautiful linens and fine china. A string quartet played soft jazz compositions, and everyone mingled. Waiters and waitresses strolled about with trays of appetizers and champagne.

I soaked it all in. When I pass away, this is how I would prefer my friends to honor my life.

A tap on my shoulder drew me from my thoughts. “Putting a face to the name is lovely, darling. Your beloved aunt spoke of you at our meetings. She hoped to have you join our group once she passed. Did she ever mention it to you?” Liz was a member of the old crones. “We need thirteen to keep up our powers.”

“I have doubts about my qualifications to be in a coven. I’m not skilled or trained in that area.”

“Honey, it’s not a learned craft. It comes to you naturally. Your aura tells me you’d fit right in. Rosie said your powers were untapped. Our aim is to help you connect to your energies. What do you say?”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Of course. It’s not a decision that is taken lightly. But don’t take too long. The longer we stay twelve, the more chaotic the universe.”

Stunned, I couldn’t believe what had transpired today. Even in death, Aunt Rosie was full of surprises. The apparition appeared before me because of the powers the old crone had discussed. It may be to my advantage to join them.

Ken approached me. “Honey, are you feeling alright?” he asked.

“I’m fine. It’s a little overwhelming seeing all these friends of my aunts.” I told him.

“Who are those strange women over there?”

“My aunt’s coven,” I said casually. Ken stepped back. “Her what?”

“Her coven, Ken. She was a witch. A good one, not the kind you see in horror movies.”

His expression made me burst out laughing. I patted him on the back. “It’s okay, honey. You’ll get used to hearing strange stories about Aunt Rosie tonight at the drum circle. Try not to drop your jaw.” He walked away, shaking his head, sure I needed therapy more than ever.

As the day grew dark, tiki lamps lit up the path to where we were to hold the drum circle. They set camp chairs up. A group walked towards the opening in the field. As each person entered the ring, we gave them a drum and a stick. The smell of Deet filled the air along with smoke from the fire to prevent mosquito invasion.

I felt anxious. Positive energy surrounded me, so why did I feel like something bad would happen?

After I selected my drum and found a seat, Roxanne, Lucy, and my husband joined me. “Doing okay, honey?” Ken asked.

“Stop asking me if I’m okay. I’m fine. Maybe it’s you who’s making me nervous?” The roll of my eyes exacted my point.

Roxanne patted my knee. “It’s been a long day. I’m sure you’re exhausted.”

“Yes, my bed is calling my name.” I joked.

The fire was blazing as people threw more logs into it. A shaman, one of Aunt Rosie’s spiritual guides, started the beating. In minutes, the entire circle followed a rhythm resembling a heartbeat. Some people started to twirl around the ring, while others let out screeching sounds. It was primal and yet healing. My anxiety dissipated.

I got up and joined the others in dancing surrounding the fire. God. I felt so free, lightheaded, and one with the Mother. Several people discarded their clothing, leaving only bras and panties on. It was like we were all on a high. Did someone drug the food? The caterers said they knew what Aunt Rosie wanted. Is this what they meant?? I wouldn’t put it past her. My conservative husband had discarded his shirt, tie, shoes, and socks. He looked sexy dancing in the firelight. An urge struck my groin, and I wanted him.

Smoothly gliding over to him, I ran my fingers through his hair. When he looked into my eyes, I grabbed his head and brought his lips to mine. The uncontrollable urge was too strong to ignore. How long had it been since we’d made love?

He grabbed my hand, and we ran back to the woods, stripping our clothes off along the way. Others were doing the same thing, running in different directions into the dark. My mind was trying to protest, but my body was rebelling. We devoured each other in the forest’s blackness. This was not how a proper Southern lady behaved. Afterward, in loving bliss, we lay behind a large oak tree, listening to the moans and groans of other couples.

As we composed ourselves, we retraced our steps, picking up articles of clothing and dressing again. The fire had died to only smoke, and some camp chairs had overturned.

“What the hell was that?” Ken said as he ran his hands over his face. We looked around as others emerged from the forest. “Were we under a spell?”

“Or drugged.”

“Who would have drugged us? And how?”

“The caterers, the bartenders. Anyone who had access to our food and drinks?”

“That’s illegal. Companies can’t put substances into people’s food without our knowledge.”

“It was a private party. Aunt Rosie prearranged her own funeral, remember?”

Ken shook his head. “The more I know your family, the weirder they are. I need a shower before work. See you at home.”

“Hey,” I grabbed his arm. “It was a sort of wild time, wasn’t it? When was the last time…?”

My husband embraced me and gave me a long, sensual kiss. “Since forever.” He winked at me. “Find out what it was.”

“You dirty old man.” I laughed. He slapped me on the ass as he let me go. “Love you.”

“Love you too.”

I watched as he walked to his car and drove down the driveway, leaving a trail of dust behind him.

As I approached the house, I saw Ralph peering out behind the front window curtains. He had a smirk on his face.

Yeah, this had his name written all over it. He was the blackmailer type.

“Ralph,” I called from the front door.

He came bouncing down the stairs. “What’s up?”

Puzzled, I wondered how he had gotten upstairs from the parlor. Didn’t I just see him in there?

“Can we talk?” I asked.

Editor: Michelle Naragon