Thunder and Lightning

Chapter 20: Storm

After class the following Wednesday , Dru stood outside the campus near where she walked home on warm days.

"Hey...wasn't expecting you" Nzinga cautiously said as she leaned forward for a kiss.

Sarala and Mabi had switched out with another set of pixies that day to take some time off. Dru nodded to the pixies letting them know they were dismissed. The pixies provided non-intrusive protection, so the dismissal meant a serious conversation would take place, whether she was ready to or not.

His warm embrace settled her nerves from any negative suspicions she might've thought. She got into his warmed SUV and they rode to Gravelly Point Park. In the fall, this area was rich in color with uninterrupted views of the DC skyline. They walked along the trail quietly for a while before Nzinga started. " so I guess you want me to talk?"

He sighed softly, "if you're ready too".

Nzinga started, then paused as if unsure of what to say. She gathered her nerves and started.

"I haven't talked about my family before or where I came from really. In a lot of ways , I still wonder those same things of you." She paused hoping to deflect and steer the conversation away from the topic. Knowingly he stopped and sat at a bench, and looked at her as if to say "Go on..."

Taking a seat next to him she began, "My mother is divine". His eyes widened in anxiousness and shock...seeing that he slightly misunderstood, she went on "not The Divine, or any specific God but she is divine in nature.  Long ago, slaves were stripped of their ancestry and customs. The enslaved would whisper pieces of history, stories and traditions to preserve what little of themselves they were allowed to keep. Most converted to Christianity while still practicing basic customs though they were directly tied to West African deities. Before long, these histories were in remnant form, and were mere shadows of the greatness that once existed. Still a few taught and passed on the old ways as a means of survival."

She waited to make sure he understood. The thought was ridiculous to her in hindsight. It was history she learned, but a history he lived. He must know better than anyone the loss of beautiful culture. She lowered her head and forged forward in the story.

"As the family story goes, my ancestor , Celia, was often abused and raped over 5 years bearing 2 children. This was the case for so many - there was nothing unique about her experience. In spite of all that she had to overcome, she found the strength to find love. George was also a slave who should have understood her plight, but he was a jealous one. After getting pregnant once more, George's cowardice of confronting his master led to him giving Celia an ultimatum -- to stop sleeping with the master.  As if it was a choice. As if her body was his and that she should sacrifice her very life to prove her loyalty to him...He should have addressed his anger with the master if it was worth risking anything instead of burdening her with guilt"

Nzinga paused out of disgust. She went on, "But she took on this burden, and told her master that the next time he would come to her cabin she would hurt him."  While the master was away, she solicited help from his 2 adult daughters hoping that what was in common with them, rather than what was different, would provide some solace and maybe some type of protection. But her problem was not their problem, and further as a temptress --- she deserved this"

Dru pulled her closer to share his warmth and evening cooled and the breeze of the water kissed their face. Nzinga, settled and continued. "Celia hadn't practiced the old ways, but she had a frayed memory of a protectress. That day Celia called on Oya  to protect her and whatever she would be forced to do next. Oya responded to her pleading prayer and whispered the answers to her. The answer, though, was not what she had hoped to hear. Her own life would not be protected, but the life of her  2 children could be changed.  Oya was a warrior and protector of women, so she allowed her power to manifest within Celia.  Oya instructed her to go to the meadows, find wild mushrooms and brew them into a tea. Oya's power is far greater than a human can  bare and the tea would allow the body to withstand some of the effects of the strength. That night, the master came to her cabin. Celia had spent the day drinking and praying for what was to come. She knew there would be no other way. As the master approached, she used the strength Oya had given to her to bash him over head."

Nzinga spaced out and felt outside herself as she resumed the story. "She never to stopped to cry when she burned his body in the fire that night.  She was convicted of murder, not having rights as a slave woman."

A slow pleasure and excitement creeped into her words, "But before her hanging, she escaped for 2 days birthing her stillborn child.  Oya's compassion saw the tears of this woman who had lost her child -- Oya felt this cost from Destiny was too high. So though Celia would indeed be hung, Oya blessed her living children with power for protection and because Celia was brave and believed in the power of destructive transformation to bring forth growth and opportunity, Oya also granted that power of transformation and foreboding to Celia's children. We have inherited these powers." Nzinga's power flashed in her eyes - a question of acceptance. Dru's eye's flashed as an answer.

"We represent what must be destroyed to bring growth. Many fear us, but really there should be hope that nothing bad last forever. Even if it comes at a cost..." her head hung. "When we were first attacked, the spirit did not seek to take the box , but to confirm that powers had manifested in us which were represented in that box. It only serves a grounding to support our transformations. But we can make more and do overtime, though it does come with a sacrifice."

"We don't fear death because if our death is destined, it is to renew something more precious than us. Whoever was after us seeks to change what is destined for them. Your sister's premonition is right, someone comes to gain power but more importantly break you from whatever is coming your way. This breaking will bring forth what is destined for you."  She placed a hand on his shoulder almost electrifying him with energy. " what is for you is for you, and though they may try, they are not greater than The Divine." Nzinga finished.

"And what of your father?" he asked.

"He left before my mother passed. I never found him to tell him of my mother."

The sky had turned dark and the stars began their nightly twinkle as a soft wind blew across them both. She shivered and although he could not protect her from everything , at least this, he would try. He took off his sweater and placed it over her. It fit oversized in the arms and long past her knees. She smiled knowing he needed this gesture more than she did and accepted it. They rode home together in silence, showered and slept spooned in each other's arms with this new burdened evenly shouldered between them.

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It's important to know that the story of Celia is quite true and serves as the main inspiration behind this story:

Research the Missouri V Celia