SWNOVELS Chapter Epilogue: Old Endings and New Beginnings
Epilogue: Old Endings and New Beginnings
“Grey Beaulieu, what name do you take upon this day?” Father Kelley asked as he stood waist deep in the water of the river with Grey.
“Michael.” Grey responded.
Grey had to hold his nose and close his eyes as the priest held him back and sank Grey right into the cool water. “Michael Grey Beaulieu,” he spoke. “I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Go forth and live thy life in the light of Jesus Christ.”
Grey couldn’t have been happier than in this moment. He didn’t care that he was soaking wet or the fact that the eyes of all the angels were on him. In that moment he felt like he could soar to heaven and back.
Later that night Sybilla and Anne held a gathering at Angel Manor to officially welcome Grey into the coven. So many people had gathered at the house and the spicy smells of the food wafted in and out of the kitchen, carried by the humid breeze. As soon as the sun went down the ceremony would begin.
“Ya’ll sure you wanna stay Grey?” Sybilla teased as they both descended the stairs.
“Are you kicking me out already?” he laughed.
“Oh honey no,” Sybilla laughed. “If we did we wouldn’t tell ya.”
Sybilla and Grey laughed even as she drew him into her arms and nearly squeezed him to death.
“Thank you.” He said quietly. “For giving me a home.”
“Ya’ll will always have a home here with us.” Sybilla assured him. “You’re with us now.”
Sybilla led Grey and the others out to the garden where Doctor Jacques and many of Bayou St Therese’s people had gathered for the ceremony including the residents of Angel Manor who had dressed in their best whites, khaki cargo shorts and sandals. Several of Doctor Jacques’s followers beat out a smooth rhythm on their drums while Anne and Sybilla began to call out the names of Michael and other saints, loas and spirits of the dead. Their song carried away into the sunset and the dancing became as infectious as the plague. Grey and the other residents happily participated in the ceremony….a celebration of old endings and new beginnings.