Until It All Unfolds

Ms. Orel was the most notorious figure in Pass Christian, Mississippi. Everyone knew that she was a direct descendent of Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Priestess of New Orleans, who was born, lived, and reigned between the years 1801 and 1881. She was exceptionally beautiful, and her powers were so well known that people from all over the world sought her help and advice. Stories reveal how she could influence court cases, bribe officials, and cause the unexplained death of anyone who crossed her. Needless to say, she was the most-feared woman in New Orleans during her years as a voodoo practitioner.

Those who knew of Ms. Orel’s talents with the spiritual world either kept their distance from her or if they were desperate enough and had a problem that needed solving, sought her help. She was in her eighties and was the most ominous-looking woman with deeply indented eyes, which would peer directly through you. Her complexion was fair, and she didn’t have a gray hair on her head or a wrinkle, which made some suspect that she had made a deal with the devil himself. She received credit and blame for almost every unexplained major event, good or bad that occurred.

In those days, it was common for people to seek the help of clairvoyants because it was a way of life. It had been rumored that Ms. Orel had raised someone from the dead, and no one was willing to question her abilities for fear of suffering the consequences. She didn’t have any friends in town and preferred it that way. She adored my mother and had become protective of her because of my mother’s good nature. Mother would defend Ms. Orel when people spoke ill of her, and she appreciated my mother’s concern.

It was believed that Ms. Orel protected my mother with her powers without her knowledge because she knew that Mother was not particularly fond of anyone who used such practices. Mother felt that it went against the laws of nature and of God.

Ms. Orel would often convey to her that if my father kept abusing her then she was going to find a way to get rid of him for good. Mother would always plead with her not to hurt him because of his troubled childhood. Mother was careful not to associate herself with Ms. Orel frequently. She did not want anyone to assume that she sought help in that manner. Whenever she mentioned to Ms. Orel how terrible Maxwell had been treating her, oddly, his behavior would change toward my mother. He would become calm and even amorous at times. Mother would wonder whether it was just a coincidence or if it was the result of Ms. Orel and her incantations.