Ambrosine

by Noreen Harrison

  She walked toward us. I noticed her belly was getting bigger every day. “Are you ready to go?” She asked, a little winded, as she leaned on my shoulder.

  “Yes.”

  “Good, the driver is waiting for us.”

  I took Madame Cecelia’s hand. I could sense her worry. Squeezing it lightly I said, “It will be okay. Let Mother know I am going to town with Millie. We will probably be back around dinner.”

  “I’ll tell her.”

  After Millie and I finished her errands, we arrived at the train station just as the train was pulling in. We walked onto the platform to wait.

  “Alixia,” Millie said almost beaming, “the family we’re waiting for is the Reynaud family from the North. They are very anxious to meet you.”

  “Of course.” I said awkwardly, not knowing how to actually respond to all this attention. We watched as, one by one, the passengers disembarked from the train. Then, out of nowhere, the sky became darker and the wind started blowing.

  Millie said, “There they are.”

  I saw a young couple. The man was carrying a child as the mother tried to shield it from the wind. Millie and I went over to greet them. They were quite anxious, telling us their daughter had been sick with a fever throughout the trip. We hurried to the car while the driver went back to retrieve their luggage. We wrapped the little girl in blankets and I looked at her pale face as her mother held her close. “This is Rose.” She said, giving her quick kiss to the forehead. And I am Mary, and this is my husband, Jason.”

  “I’m Alixia. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “I know. It is an honor to meet you.” I saw Millie smiling with approval. I didn’t know what to say except, “Thank you.” I looked at her child who seemed to be getting paler.

  “Do you think you should take her to the hospital?”

  “No! No hospital!” Mary cried out. “We just have to get her to the mansion and Madame Ambrosine will help her.”

  I just sat quietly wondering how she was going to help them.

  The driver returned with their luggage just as the rain started coming down. Thunder and lightning seemed to be all around us. Throughout the slow drive home, I could sense the urgency of getting their daughter to a warm place. I tried to ease their minds by saying, “We’re almost there.”

  “Yes, we know.” The husband, Jason, replied, smiling.

  “So you’ve been here before?”

  “Yes, many times—” He didn’t finish his sentence because the little girl started coughing almost uncontrollably.

  We finally arrived at our driveway and went directly to the front entrance. The driver got out with an umbrella, holding it for the couple and the child. They rushed inside and Millie and I followed. The staff was there to take the family to one of the guest rooms. As they were walking away I said, “I will get Madame Ambrosine for you.”

  Jason responded worriedly, “Yes please.” I turned around to see Millie on the phone talking to her husband. I overheard her tell him that she was going to stay here tonight because of the storm. I gave her some privacy and went to go find Madame Cecilia.

  Walking into the library, I saw she was sitting by Mother talking with other family members.

  “Alixia, you’re home! How was your outing?” Mother asked, noticing me first.

  “Mother, just a minute, I need to talk to Madame Cecilia!”

  “What is it, Alixia?”

  I went right into telling her about the little girl. Mother suddenly stood and went quickly to the door.

  “Where are you going?” She didn’t answer and left the room. Madame Cecilia took my arm. “Come with me, Alixia.”

  “Why did Mother leave? They need you?” I asked as the other Family members followed us.

  “Your mother is in need more than me.”

  “What? Why?”

  “Not now! Let’s get you to the ballroom.”

  We walked down the hallway to the ballroom and I could sense the urgency and hopefulness in their thoughts. “Wait here.” Madame Cecilia said. She walked over to one of the mirrors and pushed on it. The mirror opened like a door and she went inside.

  A hidden doorway!

  I looked around and saw the ballroom start filling up with family members. Madame Cecilia came back, holding a robe. The fabric was white with touches of gold and red.

  “What is going on? Why are all the family members gathering in the ballroom?”

  She looked at me intensely and said, “Alixia, tonight you will witness one of our cryptic secrets. I want you to stay right here and wait for Millie. She should be here soon to watch over you.”

  “I will come with you. Where’s Mother?”

  I started to move, and she put her hand up in a stopping motion. “Please, just wait here.” She left. I stood there, feeling the unease in the room, watching as they brought an altar-like table to the front of the ballroom. They placed a red cover over the table. Millie came up behind me and put her hand on my shoulder. “I’m here now.”

  “Good, what is this—” I stopped as a hush came over the room. I turned, seeing a couple entering the room.

  Jason, the father, was carrying their little girl. She was motionless in his arms. Mary followed behind them, weeping. He placed his daughter on the altar. He then leaned over her, kissed her gently and nodded at his wife as he took Mary into his arms. They walked back to stand with the rest of the families.

  “Millie, what’s happening?” I whispered.

  “Your mother is going to heal the young girl.”

  “What do you mean? Mother’s going to heal her?”

  Millie put her index finger to her lips. “Quiet, Alixia, they’re starting.”

  There was dead stillness in the ballroom and the lights were dimmed. Mother entered, wearing a white robe. Madame Cecilia followed her, also wearing a robe. Mother walked to the child and put her hands on the little girl’s heart. Then she moved her hands up and down the child’s body until an amber glow generated through her hands. I watched the light completely cover the child. She raised her hands up, and both she and the child began levitating. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing! The higher they rose, the brighter the light surrounding them became, until they were glowing. Mother and the child were floating in mid-air above us. She opened her robe as if she had a pair of wings and embraced the child within her robe. The families in the ballroom knelt and simultaneously chanted, “Ambrosine.”

  I stared up at Mother in amazement. She looked like an angel holding the child in her arms as they levitated above us. I wondered if this was what Father had seen that night. I couldn’t understand why he would think this was evil. Mother descended slowly and the glowing light dimmed as they reached the floor. She placed the child into her parents’ arms and they walked back into their family’s Realm.

  I noticed Mother looking in my direction. I walked toward her.

  “Stop!” Millie grabbed my arm.

  “What?”

  “Alixia, you can’t go to her yet.”

  “Why?”

  “This is where the family gives their respect to the Ambrosines.” She pointed to Mother. I noticed Madame Cecilia was standing there. The couple, with their daughter in their arms, walked through a path made for them by the families. The child was placed in the center, and as they encircled her, Mother and Madame Cecilia joined hands and they all knelt, reciting in French, “Gardez le coffre-fort familial.” There was a sense of peace in the room as they finished their clandestine ritual.

  Mother and Madame Cecilia left through a side door. I couldn’t believe what I had just witnessed. I had so many questions, I was anxious to talk to them.

  “Millie, where did they go?”

  “They went to change out of their robes. They will be back shortly.”

  “Millie!” I was bursting with questions. “How did Mother do that? I didn’t know she had powers to heal! I thought the couple was talking about Madame Cecilia. What were they chanting when they were in the circl
e?”

  “Alixia, try to calm down. I will show you the writings of the ritual and explain all of it to you after the Gathering tomorrow. But, your Mother has to be the one to explain her ability to you.”

  “How long do you think they will be?”

  “Patience! I don’t know. Let’s wait for them in the dining room. I need something to eat. I’m hungry.”

  “How can you eat after witnessing that?”

  She pointed to her stomach.

  “Oh sorry, I forgot you’re eating for two.”

  Millie rolled her eyes at me and took my arm. “Come on, eating for two? I can’t believe you just said that.”

  We walked into the dining room. There were only a couple of families eating. This meal was served buffet style as well. Millie went to get a plate of food. She brought back a small plate for me, even though I wasn’t hungry.

  Finally, Mother walked into the room. I watched as she went to the serving table and made a plate of food for herself. She looked over the buffet slowly, taking her time in choosing what she wanted to eat. I was about to burst with questions. Finally, she came to the table and sat across from me. Right away, I went into asking. She eyed me then said in a strict whispered voice, “Not here. We will talk later.”

  “Why?”

  “Alixia, don’t argue.” Millie said, nudging me.

  “Okay.” I leaned back in my chair, ticked.

  Why so secretive?

  But, then I noticed no one was actually talking about what just happened. The conversations around the table were of mundane topics. There was no excitement in anyone’s voices or reactions to what we had just seen.

  This is bizarre.

  I picked at my food while waiting for Mother to finish her meal. I looked up and saw Jason, Mary and the little girl, Rose. As her parents went to the buffet table, the little girl came over to sit by me. Looking down at her, I could see she wasn’t pale anymore. Her cheeks were pink and her blue-gray eyes were clear. She had a full smile as she touched my hand in a warm gesture. I could sense she had a lot of happiness but no memory of the ritual. I was perplexed that she had no memories of what happened to her.

  How could she not have any memory of what had happened?

  Mother finally finished eating and we excused ourselves to go the library.

  While we were walking, I took her arm. “Mother, you were astonishing! I can’t believe that one of your abilities is healing and levitating!” She stopped, leaned into me more, and whispered softly, “Alixia, I know you’re excited about what you saw, but please don’t say anything else until we are in the library, where we will have privacy.”

  Entering the library and sitting down, I could tell Mother was readying herself for my questions. Madame Cecilia walked in before I could even ask my first question. “So you must have many questions about what you witnessed tonight.” She smiled and sat down.

  Finally! Someone is acknowledging that it did happen.

  “Yes.” I said, looking at Mother. “I can’t believe you can heal people and levitate. That is so incredible! I was amazed watching you.”

  She had tears welling in her eyes, “I’m glad to hear that. I was worried you might not understand and think of it as evil, like your father did.” I went over and hugged her and whispered, “Father was wrong.” I sat down next to her and I took her hand. “That was the most breathtaking experience I’ve ever watched.” She hugged me tightly and wiped the tears from her face.

  “Mother, I do have more questions though.”

  “What is it?”

  “Well, it’s kind of out there and it could be just me, but…”

  “Just say it, Alixia.”

  “Okay, for one thing, I read the thoughts of the little girl and she didn’t seem to have any memory of what happened to her, and why all the secrecy?”

  Mother began fiddling with her diamond pendant, as if she was considering how to answer my questions. She touched my hand and replied, “Alixia, the Ambrosines believe when abilities are used to help others, nothing should ever be discussed after the ritual because our beliefs must always be shielded from the outside world. So, nothing is ever said.”

  Now, I was taken aback.

  “Hold on. So I’m trying to understand this. We don’t talk about what we witness because of the outsiders. But, during Mardi Gras, we help the outsiders by using our powers. So how do you keep them from saying anything about the family?” That question caused her to hesitate for a second. “The guests, yes, that are invited…well, they are taken to a secret room to receive their request.” Mother gave a quick glance at Madame Cecilia, like she didn’t know if she could go on. Madame Cecilia nodded at her to continue. She turned her attention back to me and continued by saying, “The Ambrosines have a power that once the ritual starts and we touch them with the gift of healing or any of our other abilities, the family members or outsiders will have no memory of what happened during or after the ritual.”

  “You hypnotize them?”

  “Not exactly.” She shifted away from me a little. “We just have the ability to enter their minds and erase the event. They leave us with no idea they have been healed or that their thoughts have been altered.”

  “That’s not right.”

  “It’s our beliefs.”

  Now I was disturbed.

  They can actually alter people’s minds?

  I had to ask, “If that’s true, why didn’t you erase Father’s memories about what he had seen that night?”

  She didn’t hesitate with her answer. “Because I couldn’t, Alixia. The outsiders are chosen by each family. They have to believe in our powers and abilities and your father didn’t. Do you understand?”

  “No. What does that have to do with anything? Why would you have to believe? Couldn’t you just get into his head and—”

  “Alixia,” Madame Cecilia joined the conversation harshly. “It doesn’t work that way. They have to believe in our psychic rituals. We have places all over the world where people come to seek out special guidance to help them through their daily lives. If an outsider is invited to a Gathering during Mardi Gras, they’re offered a choice to change their destinies. They must have free will. It has to be their decision to accept our gifts or not. Your father, on the other hand, made his choice that night of the Gathering and—”

  “That’s enough, Cecilia.” Mother said punitively. Madame Cecilia glared at her. “Anyway, they have to believe.”

  “I understand.” I didn’t ask anything else.

  The Gathering

  The day of the Gathering, Mother was busying herself with last-minute details. I went outside just to collect my thoughts. I was still apprehensive about what was going to happen.

  Madame Cecilia was standing by the pond looking at the statue. Walking up behind her, I could hear her talking aloud to herself, I touched her shoulder and as she turned and exclaimed, “Alixia, you surprised me!”

  “Who are you talking to?”

  She smiled looking up. “I was talking to your ancestral Grandmother, Correa. This statue was made in her image and sometimes, I just come out and talk to her.” I gazed up at the statue. ”Okay...” I said.

  She eyed me. “It’s not crazy.” I stepped back, realizing she was in my thoughts.

  “I’m sorry. I mean to...”

  ”It’s all right. I know it was just a thought. Anyway, today I was just saying how proud I am that you are finally coming forward as an Ambrosine.”

  “Yes, I’m glad, too; then maybe all this secretive stuff will be coming to an end tonight.”

  “It will.” She changed the conversation quickly and asked, “Are you still having bad dreams?”

  “Kind of.”

  “What do you mean kind of?” I bit down on my lip and hesitantly replied, “I don’t know how to explain it. That entity that is in my dreams seems to always be there, pushing the dark shadows out of my mind. He just makes me feel safe.”

  “Safe…uh.” She held her thought
and then said, “Just stay wary.”

  “I will.” I didn’t want tell her I was actually enjoying his presence around me while I slept. It was as if he could sense my fear of the unknown, and I could sense his need to be with me. Just having that feeling of wanting him to stay made me wonder if it was real or not.

  We walked back toward the mansion and Madame Cecilia abruptly stopped. “Wait, I have something for you to wear tonight at the Gathering.”

  “What is it?”

  “Come. I’ll show you, it’s in my bedroom.”

  We entered the mansion and went straight upstairs to her room. I could smell the scent of jasmine as I walked into the room. It was beautiful, just like the rest of the mansion, most of décor in white with hints of red and gold. She walked to her bureau and opened the drawer, removing a gold, oblong box with a red ribbon on it. She handed it to me and said, “This belongs to you, now.”

  Looking down at the box, I carefully opened it and saw a blue diamond pendant with a delicate gold chain. “It’s beautiful, thank you.” I held it up higher to look at it more closely.

  “You are giving this to me?”

  “Yes. It’s time for you to have it.” She took it from me and put it around my neck, saying in French, “Gardez le coffre-fort familial.”

  I looked in the mirror at the diamond, so elegant and perfect. Then I asked, “What did you say in French? I heard the families chanting the same words last evening.” She turned me around to face her. “I said keep the family safe.” She gave me a hug and added, “Now, I have something important to tell you, Alixia. Tonight you will be coming forward as an Ambrosine. You will be challenged within. So be aware of the presence that will bring you forward as an—”

  I interrupted, “What do you mean, a presence?”

  “That’s all I can tell you for now.”

  “You can’t! Why? What presence? I thought I was only being introduced!”

  “Alixia, I can’t tell you anymore. I should not have even said that. There’s nothing to get worried about.” She tried reaching for me. I moved away. “Am I going to be in danger?” I asked, thinking back to what happened in Baton Rouge.