Spells & Prayers
Tulsa, Oklahoma - June 1, 1921
Charles sat with his body pushed all the way back into the corner behind the heavy Davenport sofa. His feet were tucked tightly against his bottom, his back was hunched over, and his chestnut brown hands gripped a black, leather notebook only a shade or two darker than his own skin. His face was pushed close to the page as he read the strange words in a frantic whisper, more like a chant. He could still smell the oil soaked into the cowhide of the notebook’s cover as well as the scent of the crisp, new pages. Most of the words were in English, but he was still able to read the few words that were not. He started at the top of the page and read to the bottom and then started again back at the top, just like Granny had instructed. A sharp kitchen knife was hidden behind the sofa as well, within his reach.
