Persephone's Revenge

“Here, Perse, have a pomegranate mimosa before you go.” He gently handed the fluted glass to his wife. “I’m gonna miss you.”

“Again with the pomegranate?” she replied to Hades. “Look, I know you hate my mother, but you promised I could visit.”

“More like forced,” he mumbled.

“Listen, Uncle-Husband, I still feel a little off right now. I need to spring out of here. But don’t worry, I’ll be back in the shake of a lamb’s tale.” She drank her mimosa and gathered a small travel bag. It was decorated with bright flowers and shades of green, a gift from her husband. Their relationship was cordial and mostly caring, but there were times he had a straying eye. “I need to go. I’m on a tight schedule. Good-bye, Sweetie.”

She kissed Hades on the cheek and walked toward the escalator to the upper world. She met Hecate near the bottom, and the two cousins nodded to each other. “Is it time already for the trip up? Seems like just yesterday.” Hecate held the flashlights and gave Persephone one. She unlocked the iron gate that sealed off the escalator and helped her cousin step onto the first step.

Persephone laughed. “Oh, it’s been six months. Definitely. I can feel it in my bones.” The long escalator took almost an hour to reach the light at the top. Along the way, Persephone asked, “Have you finally decided what you want to do for the rest of eternity? I know you’ve had so many different ideas.”

Hecate took a deep breath. “Well, I’m still really into holistic medicine. I earned my locksmith credentials, too. My civil engineering degree helps me design some wicked cool roads. I don’t know which I like best.”

“Do you still hold a torch for Aeeta?” Persephone queried.

“No. He dumped me, that snake, so I moved on. No love lost.” Hecate continued, “But he was a fun diversion. How are things with Hades?”

“Well,” Persephone replied, “He’s Hades. He still processes the new immigrants into the underworld which keeps him busy, but he loves me. At least he says he does.” She looked down at her feet, letting the flashlight illuminate the moving stairs.

Hecate noticed the deflection. “But…?”

“I think he’s still having an affair with that tramp nymph Minthe. I’ve caught her scent in the bedroom at times.” Persephone’s voice broke off. “He said it meant nothing to him, that she’s just a naiad, but he plucked me from among the flowers, not that river trollop.”

“Oh, my goodness. That’s horrible. Tell you what-while you’re up visiting your mom, I’ll think of something to take care of his…transgression. Leave it all up to your dear Hecate.”

Persephone smiled at her cousin. “Thanks, Cuz. I knew you’d have my back.” She returned the flashlight as the sun’s rays started to shine on them.

She waved goodbye to Hecate as she stepped out into a sunny day in Enna, the center of Sicily. She pulled a hat out of her bag to keep the bright sun out of her eyes; it’d be a couple hours before she adjusted. Around the corner she heard squeals from two women. Her besties met her with effusive greetings.

“Perse! Oh, we’ve missed you so much! [muah] That bag is adorable!” Athena cried out.

“Hey, girl!” Artemis started, “You’re looking better than ever. Your mom is so excited to see you.”

Persephone hugged Artemis and Athena. “Oh, you guys don’t know how much I’ve missed you. It’s gets lonely there, and I just have Eurydice to chat with.” The smell of coffee shops filled the early spring air. “I’m looking forward to celebrating Anthesterion before I leave in early October. I have so much to tell you.”

Artemis smiled. “I’m sure. But let’s get you home. Your mom comes first.” They walked through the town amidst throngs of people in the marketplace, musicians playing for a drachma or two. In the old-growth forests that surrounded Enna, they found the hidden stone path that led up to Demeter’s home, a large building with beautifully engraved ionic columns in the front and large gardens surround the estate. White cranes wandered freely around the property. As they walked up the path, they could smell the bread baked fresh that morning.

Demeter stood in the doorway, her pale yellow robes draped across her shoulders, and a garland of fresh flowers in her hair. She spotted her daughter and smiled played on her lips. “Persephone!” The sun’s light became warmer.

Persephone darted up the stairs into the embrace of her mother’s arms. It had seemed forever since she felt the love only a mother can give. Artemis and Athena stood by and waited for the greetings to conclude before approaching. Demeter invited all of them up. “Come in, ladies, we have a table full of wonderful treats.” The four went inside the house, brightly lit with sconces and open windows. The interior was capped by a colorful glass-like dome.

They sat around the stately table, set for at least a dozen or more people. “Are we having company?” Persephone asked.

“No, but you never know. I always keep the door open for strangers.” Demeter poured wine for the ladies and offered them the most delicious bread. “Just out of the oven. Perfectly formed and topped with honey and almond dust.” She placed a piece on each of their plates. Artemis and Athena thanked Demeter for the sweet repast.

Persephone had a ton of questions about her expansive family. “How is everyone? How is the family?”

Demeter took a sip of her wine and started with the long list. “Well, Despiona and Arion have joined together to start a horse training business. Eubuleus still works on his pig farm. Plutus has moved up in the bank where he works. Senior manager, I think.” She continued. “Philomelus has moved into our family business growing wheat and corn. I’m so grateful for his help.”

“What about Iacchus?” Persephone asked.

“He’s still a mystery to us. An enigma. No one really knows what he does, but he seems happy when he comes around.”

A young handmaid brought out ornate trays of fruit. Persephone plucked some red grapes. “What about mom and dad?”

Demeter replied, “Your father Zeus is still the CEO at the Olympus Bolt company, making a killing. He’s still a philanderer, though. Ironically, Hera picked up her certification in marriage counseling. Their marriage isn’t perfect but they’re making it work somehow. Aunt Hestia is still a homemaker.”

“What about Grandma and Grandpa? How are they doing?” Persephone leaned toward Artemis and Athena, “You know how our family tree doesn’t branch out a whole lot.”

Athena said with a laugh, “Oh, trust me, I understand. I still give my father migraines.”

“Well, Grandma Rhea is still working on her rock collection. Grandpa Cronus still suffers from terrible IBS but that doesn’t stop him from performing vasectomies.” Demeter finished the smooth wine. “How about you, Athena? What have you been up to?”

Athena replied, “After I got my art degree, I signed up for the national guard. When I’m not at war, I’ve got several craft shows lined up.”

Demeter asked, “Is that a new helmet? I like how the copper shines.”

Athena blushed, “Hephaestus made it for me. It fits so much better than the last one.”

“Artemis, how have you been?” Demeter inquired.

“I’m now employed with the Division of Forestry. I get to work with the animal populations. It’s a full-time job,” Artemis answered.

“I’m so proud of you three,” Demeter said as she leaned back in her chair. “You’ve gone off to be successful in the things you wanted to do.” Demeter asked her daughter, “How are you faring? Is Hades kind? Do you have any new hobbies?”

“He tries, Mama, to be kind. Sometimes he flies off the handle, but he always makes it up to me. It’s the others who are so afraid of me they call me the terrible Queen of the Dead, and others won’t even mention my name. Sometimes I feel bullied; it’s not fair. It’s not like I came down voluntarily, thanks to Grandpa.” Persephone sighed. “It’s been a long day. I think a nap would be perfect right now, if that’s all right with you.”

Artemis and Athena got up from the table and thanked Demeter for the hospitality. They were happy to get caught up with the family. Persephone retreated to her childhood room looking at the dusty gilt-framed photos of past suitors. There was Adonis, looking his best without clothing; Hermes with his cute little winged shoes; Hephaestus smiling and holding a hammer; Apollo, suntanned and stunning; Ares with his sword out; Sisyphus standing by a boulder.

She lay down and quickly fell asleep. Her dream was filled with goddesses, monsters, wild animals, and more. Swirls of color turned to shades of gray, black, and white. Her life had never been easy, and after the debacle with her future husband, she felt uneasy. She awoke with a start after sleeping an hour or so. Some felt wrong.

Hades.

Persephone slipped out of the house unnoticed and visited Hermes at his home. She lit some incense outside his door which brought him out. He welcomed Persephone back and asked her to come in. Persephone shook her head and said, “I have an urgent request for you. Can you check on Hades to see if he’s been fooling around recently? I have a sick feeling.”

Hermes smiled and said, “Of course, I can check. I’ll be right back.” He disappeared in a flash.

Persephone looked around, and in a few moments, Hermes reappeared. He reported, “Yes, unfortunately Hades is doing the horizontal tango with Minthe again.”

“Again?” Persephone asked. “Well, thank you, Hermes.” She turned and left as Hermes watched her walk slowly away, her curves beguiling him once again.

Persephone was saddened. She had put her trust in Hades, and he still hooked up with that swamp whore. She took a long head-clearing walk around the house near a stream flowing where the cranes roosted. The idyllic scene was disturbed by the splashing of a woman in the water. Minthe was there drying and resting in the sun.

Persephone hated her with every fiber of her being.

A jealous rage welled within her. The sight of her husband’s concubine blinded her. Without thinking, she walked over to the water, picked up a rock and brought it down on Minthe’s head. Persephone continued into the water and trampled the damp naiad, snuffing out her last breath.

Afterwards, she didn’t know if she should feel guilty or not. She walked away from the bloody stream and back to her mother’s house. She’d consult with her friends later. Maybe they could resolve her jealousy issues. Artemis and Athena always found a solution to her problems.

The next day, Persephone was outside in the garden with her mother when a dog trotted up to them, a beautiful golden dog with a little bottle and note around its neck. Persephone untied the bottle and read the note: “Pour this into that stream. Love, Hecate.” She folded the note and tucked the bottle into her robes. She didn’t know what that would do, but she trusted Hecate. Her confused mother didn’t ask her about note or the bottle. The dog turned and walked away.

Later that evening, Persephone returned to the stream of the crime where the remains of Minthe lay. She took the bottle out of her robes and poured it over the broken body. The water bubbled and produced an eerie purple mist in that area. The flesh disappeared and the water dried up around the stones. Persephone was afraid of what she had done. She killed someone in a jealous rage. Would she do it again another day, she wondered?

The months flew by, the world coming to life in greens, reds, whites, and pinks – every color under the sun. The grain fields flourished when Persephone came home, and Demeter was happy again. Bountiful harvests were in store for people all over the world. Persephone, too, was joyous, but she knew soon it would be time to return to the darkness.

On that day, she packed her little bag and addressed her mother. “Mom, it’s time for me to go. I wish it weren’t this way, but it is. Be gentle with the living things. They don’t all deserve to die.”

Her mother replied, “Some do, more than others. I will miss you terribly, my child.” She hugged her only daughter, and Persephone walked around the property. She wanted to visit and ruminate about a deed committed in rage. Looking down near the water, she was surprised to see a dark green plant growing where she had poured the potion. She plucked the plant out of the ground and examined it. Its fragrance was biting and refreshing at the same time. She thought it would make a nice present for her husband.

Artemis and Athena met her at the escalator out of Enna. “We wish you didn’t have to go,” Artemis started.

“I hope you aren’t bothered by that black-haired tart anymore. Hades doesn’t deserve you,” Athena added.

Persephone looked at the green plant in her bag. “I have a feeling my problem may have been solved. I’ll let you know next year when I return.” They finished their goodbyes, and Persephone began the descent. Hecate was there with her flashlights and handed one to her. Persephone looked at her cousin and asked, “The bottle you sent me…was it what I think it was?”

Hecate smiled slowly and said, “Of course. It spoke to me of your pain.” Persephone nodded as they descended lower into the cold underworld. The darkness chilled her soul and made her shudder. She forgot how much she loved her mother, her friends, the warmth of the sun, and the world in bloom until it was taken away. Near the bottom, she turned to Hecate.

“Thank you for lighting the way. For keeping me in line, and for thinking of me. You mean the world to me.”

Hecate’s eyes met hers. “We women must stick together. We are one.” She took the light back and said, “Until we meet again, child, blessed be.”

Persephone turned away and stepped off the escalator and returned down the familiar path. She could hear Hades and his Spotify playlist: “Autumn Leaves,” “See You in September,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” “October,” and other songs. He was happy to see her. He embraced her and looked into his wife’s deep blue eyes. “I’m so glad you came back.”

Reaching into her bag, Persephone handed him the dark green plant. “Here, this is for you.”

Hades reached out and took the plant hesitantly. “What is it?”

With that guileless smile, Persephone said, “A new plant. Mint.”