Angel Watch at Blacknest: A Supernatural Mystery Read online

  Lucy looked up and said “What? I make delicious cupcakes and it's what being an adult is all about, right. You can eat dessert first if you want.”

  They all laughed and agree she has a point. After lunch, most of the women have their coffee and desserts in front of them and they are chatting; all waiting for the meeting to start.

  Meg goes up to the front and hits the gavel down, she says, “Thank you, ladies for coming this afternoon and a huge thank you to all of you that brought the food. Now for the reason we are all here, fundraisers. Do any of you have any ideas?”

  Dilly raises her hand and says, “Why don’t we have a chili cook-off and invite the town? We could sell tickets and give away a few door prizes and a grand prize to the winner. With the price of their ticket they would get a chili and cornbread dinner that the church would supply and they would also do the chili sampling and judge the competition.”

  “What a great idea, Dilly! How do you all feel about that idea?” she asks the group. We all cheered. “And Lucy, would you mind donating a few dozen cupcakes as door prizes?” ask Meg

  Lucy looks up and said, “No problem, would love, too.” All the women start talking excitedly and making plans. They decided to have the event in two weeks on a Sunday afternoon. They would set up a tent in the field next to the church and use camp stoves for the different cooking stations. They thought they had enough tables and chairs, depending on how many tickets were sold. The cook off will be noon till seven P.M. The participants will be given four hours to cook and then there will be a one hour judging period, during that time the crowd can go from station to station tasting and voting on their favorite chili. The winner will then be announced and awarded the grand prize; maybe a gift certificate to a local store.

  After more discussion the ladies decided on three fundraisers; the chili cook off, a pie social with a pie auction, and a square dance. Carrie suggested the square dance; she reminded us that our church was once a barn, so why not a barn dance. A few of our members at church were also, members of the local square dance club The Twirlers. Maybe they could help us find a country band and a square dance caller. So the luncheon ended with everyone excited and talking. They had been formed into committees, all responsible for different things. They had agreed to work on the chili cook-off first.

  Dilly is now sitting at her kitchen table compiling a grocery list. She's on the food committee. The entrants would have a kitchen station with basic fresh produce, hamburger, kidney beans and a few spices. If they wanted to use additional items they would have to supply it for themselves. They would have four hours cooking time and then the people would circulate, taste and cast their votes. During the cooking period, hourly door prizes will be given to keep the excitement up; hopefully they will get some nice donations from local businesses. Dilly thought this fundraiser would be a success and the townspeople will show. Who doesn't like chili? If this is a success, hopefully they will also show for the other fundraisers.

  Happy with what she had gotten done today Dilly grabbed some cookies and a cup of coffee. She had been dunking cookies in coffee since she was little in her grandmas kitchen sitting on a thick catalog. She'd always been little for her age and in those days she didn't think they even had booster seats. Grandma always had us grab a catalog to sit on at the table. A lot of fun happened around that little kitchen table. Grandmas house was a really happy place for her and brothers and sisters.

  Bud and Meg

  That evening, Meg told Pastor Bud about the different fundraisers they planned on having. He especially liked Dilly’s chili cook-off idea. They did have a huge tent that had been donated by a catering company and had only used it for vacation Bible school. His mind was now going full speed trying to figure out everything they would need to do. He would contact Hattie at the newspaper; maybe they could get some free advertising?

  All this was going to a good cause. It was for two missionary couples that once went to Faith Tabernacle. So, occasionally, they would send them money and supplies. One couple, Juan and Bonnie Lopez, are in Tijuana, Mexico and the other couple, Bob and Belinda Clark are in West Virginia near Solly Holler. Both couples are doing great work and they really have a heart for the Lord and the people. The couple in West Virginia are both from that holler so, they knew the people. They had grown up without the conveniences of electricity and running water and they loved the people. So, when the opportunity presented itself, it wasn't a hard decision. They had supported themselves for years as writers. Belinda wrote mysteries and Bob thrillers. They were successful, but far from well off. Both had earned teaching certificates on the GI bill. They had met in the military, Army, he thought. Their last letter said they have established a home church that has maybe twenty people on a regular basis. They had also, planted a community garden. The Appalachian people weren't keen on charity, so they have to be creative. By letting them help work the garden; they would take some produce home when it was time to harvest. Belinda had also started a sewing bee. Many of the women were fantastic quilters. Belinda had sacks of old donated clothes that were not in good condition but could be cut into quilt squares. So the quilts and the proceeds will be distributed to the various quilters and other families in need. The missionaries had asked in the letter for some school supplies and books. Most of the people were illiterate. They had been tutoring those that weren't too embarrassed. Their hope is to one day open up a school.

  A couple years ago, Bob’s granddad died. He had been a lifelong resident of Solly Holler, not counting his stint in the Military. In his will, which was found hanging by a nail on his bedroom wall, he had left his home and his meager possessions to Bob, the last living member of the family. Belinda and Bob had often gone down and visited old gramps; usually a couple times a year. They knew all the people in the holler and were not considered outsiders. The need was great among the people. Many of the men worked in the coal mine. Their religious backgrounds went from nothing to Pentecostal snake handling, with a little old time folk magic mixed in. To be fair there were a few true Bible believers including his deceased granddad.

  No TV, no computers, no phone service, and they really did holler, each person having his unique yell. The sound carried quite a ways. Bob had told Pastor many stories about the people and granddad. Gramps had been a believer but couldn't get around so, he just read his Bible. Gramps could read because they taught him in the military once they figured out that he had that problem. He had been a smart man and knew enough to get by. The circuit preachers would help him read out of the Word when he was a youngster. Once he got out of the military and was back in the holler he told Bob he tried to teach some of his neighbors but they weren't all that interested.

  Well, Bob had known his gramps pretty well and he wasn't the most patient of men. He was known to have quite the temper. So he knew there was more to the story.

  Bob and Belinda had been fortunate when they were kids the old Methodist pastor, Pastor Anderson had taught the holler children at that time. It wasn't well organized but he was always willing to help. They said he was really missed. Pastor Anderson passed on some 10 years ago. Anyway, when old Gramps passed and Bob found out he had inherited his cabin they decided to move back home. They have been living in Solly Holler now almost two years. They have no running water or electricity and an outhouse out back. The biggest challenge right now was to find room in their home for their church meetings and hopefully a school in the future. There was a lot of work for them there thought Bud.

  The other missionary couple is Juan and Bonnie Lopez in Tijuana, Mexico. Juan had grown up in Tijuana and was very aware of the needs of the people. Bonnie was having a little difficulty learning Spanish she had mentioned in their last letter. They asked for school supplies but also they have taken in some street children and daily they are giving out food to their neighbors. So they have a lot of needs. The missionaries were always operating on a tight budget. Juan has mentioned the danger. The gang activity in their area has gotten really b
ad in the last few years. Bud would have to mention that to the church, so they could keep them in prayer. God could protect them in the worst place, but it was so hard to get past the fear. He would pray that they have peace of mind, as well. Bud sits for a while praying for them and then takes off for a run. It is a beautiful day.

  Maize

  Driving down the Hill, Maize was glad her long day was over. She'd worked for the Blacknest's as their cook for the past 30 years. She was thankful for her job. She was a daughter of a poor dirt farmer from Mississippi. Her great grand daddy had been a slave on a cotton plantation. She had known hardship and great sadness. The Good Lord had seen her safely out of the south. That was a time when it wasn't a safe place for a young Negro girl. She'd seen many fiery crosses. Her brother had been drug out of store and lynched one evening. His "crime" was talking to a white girl. Yes, Mississippi was a cruel place in those days.

  I remember Miss Elise as a young woman; she wasn't always crazy. We had struck up a friendship when I cooked at the Blue Spot Cafe. Elise especially like my chicken fried steak and blueberry pie. Elise finally persuaded me to come and work for her at Blacknest Manor. I have been there ever since. The pay is good. They are generous. But my have I seen and heard things. I have seen people coming and goings at all hours and then disappearing into rooms downstairs. An area of the house that is off-limits for the help. I never saw them go back out the front door? I watched for them because sometimes I have to work late. I have also, heard chanting in a language I didn't recognize. I have wondered often what is going on. I like my job so, I ask no questions. I only pray. When Kendrick was alive, he ruled the house with an iron fist. When he spoke we all jumped. Lord forgive me but I am glad he is gone. In my opinion, he was a monster. The evil I saw in that man's eyes! I know positively I saw his watery blue eyes go black as coal, at times. I would tell Jesus himself. I know what I saw. The way he looked and spoke to his poor children. Xander and Zara would run into my kitchen. They never said why they come running in but the fear in their eyes I will never forget. I know they have grown up hard hearted and I think maybe even evil. But it is surely a result of that evil mans influence and what he had put them through. I love them as if they were my own children grown up and I know they love me. When either of them looks at me their hardness softens. I can see it in their eyes; the windows to your soul. Sometimes, the air in that big mansion feels thick with demons. I know it is not my imagination. I am not a fearful woman, but I know that something is wrong. Since Kendrick has been gone it's not quite as thick but it's still there.

  I am almost home now; home sweet home. I hope my husband, Otis had a good day. He had been a printer for the town newspaper but he had taken early retirement because of his poor eye sight and crippled up hands. Now, days he listens to the radio and rocks in his chair on the front porch. I tease him and tell him he should take up knitting. He does have a green thumb so he always has a nice vegetable garden. A weed doesn't dare grow in his patch. He spends a lot of time back there crawling around with his face so close to the ground looking for weeds. His eye sight is so poorly. The eye doctor said it is cataracts. He refuses to get the operation. He says the doctor could be having a bad day, the knife slips and there goes what eye sight he has. There is no talking him into it. I don’t bring up the subject anymore.

  “Hello, Otis, where are you?” says Maize as she walks in.

  “In the backyard, I’m barbecuing chicken and corn on the cob!” yells Otis.

  “Oh, my Otis that is my favorite. I’ll go get the potato salad from last night out of the fridge.” says Maize as she walks into the kitchen.

  They sit out on the back patio eating and talking about their day; enjoying the cool evening breeze and each other’s company. Otis has been making a bigger and bigger vegetable garden every year. Maize sits looking at the healthy garden bed overflowing with tomato plants, beans, squash, etc... Then asks who’s going to eat all those vegetables?

  He laughs and tells her that the neighbors, their church members, their family, etc... He felt that was not a problem to worry about. There are always folks who need food. Otis tells Maize that their daughter, Eleanor had been over earlier that morning, helping him pick raspberries. This weekend they were planning on making jam. Otis was quite handy in the kitchen thought Maize.

  Eleanor was a surgical nurse at the hospital and worked long hours and sometimes double shifts. She went into nursing school straight out of high school. She always wanted to be a nurse. She worked in different areas but loved working with a surgical team. She told them she had such a sense of accomplishment in her work. She knew she was making a difference. Maize was sorry she’d missed her. They had only one child but they felt blessed to have her and that she still lived so close to them. She had not married and she would be turning thirty soon. Maize was starting to think about doing a little matchmaking. She knew of a very handsome bachelor in their church. He was a veterinarian, of all things, but Eleanor always loved animals of all shapes and sizes. So maybe she will have him and Eleanor to dinner one of these days.

  After some raspberries over vanilla ice cream, they went off to bed; tomorrow started early.

  Gus

  Gus sat in his car, thinking about what they had probably done to Mary. He knew in his heart what had happened. He had always known there was no leaving the group, the coven. He had learned the code as a child, but he thought they wouldn't find him. He knew it was dangerous to leave, but he wanted freedom and a better life for his daughter. He took Mary and ran after seeing what they had done to his wife for such a small infraction. It had scared him to the bone. Two years ago he'd opened the pub, The Thorny Rose. All seemed to be going so well and he had felt safe. He didn't think they knew where he was. But he had been lying to himself. They had eyes everywhere. Why Mary? She had done nothing. He knew their methods. In their wicked twisted minds, they preferred picking up your child or another loved one rather than the offender. They knew it would cut you deeper. How do you live with yourself, when you know it was your fault or at least you could have prevented it from happening? Oh, Mary, I'm so sorry. I should have stayed.

  He starts his car and drives home. The guilt and grief has kept him up for days. He is thinking about selling out but he didn't know where to move. Right now he didn't even want to live. That was something else he had been pondering for days, to just end it. But he feared death; he wasn't sure what he would see on the other side. He had done a lot of bad things in his life that he wasn't proud of. He feared Hell; just in case, it really did exist.

  He was thinking about talking to a Realtor about selling. This town had certainly lost its appeal. He had never felt such grief. When they killed his wife, he felt dead inside, but this feeling was worse. He was also, experiencing a growing rage and a need for retaliation. He decided he needed to go back to Maine. Some people up there didn't deserve to be breathing. Gus went to bed, with a new found purpose for living.

  Deidre

  Deidre quietly puts her groceries from the food pantry away. Frank has passed out in his recliner.

  “Dee, is that you making that racket?” asks Frank.

  “Yes, honey, just making you a snack.” says Deidre.

  Frank hasn't bothered to bathe or shave in weeks. He’s falling deeper into depression she thinks to herself. She carries out some sliced cheese, crackers, and cantaloupe to him.

  “Thanks, I didn't know we had melon.” he mentions as he eats.

  “I just got some.” says Deidre

  “Damn, woman, you know we don’t have money for extras!” shouts Frank.

  Lately he’d go from calm to freaking out within seconds; didn't take much to set him off.

  “Honey, remember I got that part-time job at the fabric store last week.” says Deidre.

  “Yeah, well that won’t touch the bills; it’s not close to enough!” he shouts.

  Frank is an out of work carpenter and his unemployment checks have run out. He takes care of the bills. Dee is not
so good with figures Frank has discovered. Their income at this time is down to nothing.

  Dee smiles at him and says “Well, it didn't cost anything, honey. I found about this church that has food and clothing distribution twice a week and that is where I got the melon.”

  Now, Franks face is red with anger, “Don’t be spreading our business around the town! I told you to stay away from those fruitcake, religious fanatics! And what did you do? You went behind my back! They’ll probably be pounding on our door wanting a donation now. Or they will want to drag us to their church! Nice going, stupid!” yells Frank as he walks out of the house.

  She could hear the car roar down the street. Dee just sits and cries. She loves Frank but she is so afraid all the time and he scares her when he yells at her. Frank came home late that evening; he didn't smell of alcohol. He told Deidre to come and talk with him. He held her hand and apologized for blowing his lid, as he put it, and told her all the bills were behind and he thought they would probably lose the house. His eyes brimmed with tears as he told her that it was hard for him to admit weakness and doubly hard to accept charity; it made him feel like less of a man. She hugged Frank and told him about the pantry and how nice everyone was to her. She really didn't think they would bother them because no one had asked for ID or her address. She thought they just wanted to help. Also, she told him how she thought they would be stuck up and how totally embarrassed she had been at first. But someone asked her, if she wanted some coffee shortly after she had come through the door. The ladies name was Carrie and Deidre really liked her. She was down to earth and she helped her fill grocery sacks and load the car. He thought that all sounded OK. Deidre decided to take a chance and ask Frank if she could go to one of their church services. He agreed as long as she didn't nag him to go and also, he wouldn't put up with her changing and acting all holier than thou. He wouldn't stand for it. He said he had grown up with a bunch of religious hypocrites and as an adult, he would not live with one. His dad and mom would preach to them all the time and drag them to church, but at home they drank and then they would fight. That was his and his brothers Christian example growing up, so no thank you.