Cleaning House by Jeanne G'Fellers

Author:Jeanne G'Fellers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: reincarnation, magic, witch, ghost, fae, appalachia, tennessee, diversity, haint, elemental

***

“Damn useless.” Cent didn’t have the strength to throw her breathing medication across the room like she wanted. Doc had come to see her, had driven all the way from Johnson City and up the muddy road leading to the homestead, just to check on her. Rayne, in their most feminine, humanlike, appropriately dressed form, had met him at the door. He’d briefly stared at Rayne, then shrugged and entered, mumbling something under his breath about Rayne being one of the Blue Kentucky Fugates.

“I want you in the hospital, Miss Washburn.” He wrapped his stethoscope around his neck and shook his head.

“Ain’t happenin’.” Cent wheezed. “I’m stayin’ home.” She was propped against Stowne on the bed. They’d refused to leave, so she’d told them to look like pillows. It was improper for a single woman to have a man in her bedroom, and rumors about her ungodly nature already ran rampant in Hare Creek.

“Centenary Washburn, you’re one stubborn woman.” Doc glanced at Rayne who nodded. “I’d argue with you, but I’ve been living in these hills too long to be fool enough to argue with anyone past my own age. As long as you have someone with you, I’ll let you be. I’ve raised your morphine again, but I can’t raise it any higher.”

“It don’t matter anyway.” Cent’s breath caught in her side again, throwing her frail body into another round of coughing so hard she vomited. It was a vicious cycle, but there was nothing to do except wait for it to be over.

“Nice old place.” Doc peered around the homestead. “But I wish you had better heating.”

“There’s a coal burner in the cellar,” said Rayne. “But it’s broken right now.”

“And the fireplace in here…needs a new damper,” mumbled Cent.

“That’s why this bedroom always seems cold.” Doc sighed. “I can give you the number for my repairman.”

“I’ll have her bed moved to the front room.” Rayne took the pan from Cent’s lap and wiped a damp cloth over her forehead and across her mouth. “We’ll see she stays comfortable.”

“I’ll be fine.” Cent lay back on the pillows, ready for Doc to leave so Stowne could reshape to keep her warm. “Go home, Doc. You’re interruptin’…my rest.”

“I’ll be back the day-after-tomorrow, Miss Washburn.” Doc hooked his arm through Rayne’s, pulling them toward the door where he spoke in such a low tone Cent couldn’t hear. Not that she cared to. Doc could say what he wanted. They all knew she wouldn’t make it to his next visit. The veil would soon thin. Her mother had already come for a visit, her father too, and they’d both said they’d be waiting for her. But Mamaw… Cent had sat bolt-upright in the bed when she’d stopped by to visit.

“Signs are all around you, child, so be ready.” Mamaw Jett had stood all pretty and young in her best Sunday dress, her hands folded at her waist like she always did when she was serious about something. “Have them bury you next to me beneath that big Oak at the top of the ridge.

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