Baby I wasn't there

Five to seven

"Mother what exactly did you buy?" Alastor asked, as he took her items out of her bag. It was later now, almost dusk.

" Just some of the necessities." She said, before Alastor frowned upon seeing the bowls.

"Again mother?" He asked, before Helen frowned.

"Alastor I cant keep up like this. You know I must do this." Helen pleaded, before Alastor took them in, looking over its details. They were wooden, in the bottom of the inside of the bowl was a hand.

"Mother, you need to stop. He isn't coming back." Alastor said, before Helen grew quiet. Alastor frowned, knowing that his mother was hurting.

" I know.." She said, before Alastor walked around the dining room, leaving to the kitchen.

" I'll make you tea." He said as he left. Helen sat in silence, staring around the room. In the middle was a large dining table. On the walls were paintings Alastor had sent her during his time in New York. She smiled upon the memories. Then, a bag caught her eye. The thank you bag.

Helen reached forward and opened the bag, dumping the contents into her lap. She sorted through them one by one. Healing supplies, twine, a book, a small candle, and a card. It was black, with white writing etched into it. It had the address of the store, with Y/n's name on it. It was a tarot card. Turning it over, Helen saw the five of cups staring back at her. She gasped, throwing the card away from her before standing from her seat, letting everything fall to the floor.

"Mother are you alright?" Alastor asked rushing in. She looked panicked. Alastor stared before Helen looked to the card. Alastor picked it up before he stared at her.

"What is it? This is good." Alastor said, before Helen's eyes widened.

"Good? The five of cups? Good?" Helen asked, before Alastor stared confused.

"Mother it isn't five it's seven." Alastor said showing her the card. But it wasn't. Not to her.

" Put it down. We're burning it." She said, before he frowned. She was shaken, he didn't like this.

" Mother your tea is almost down. Sit down, relax, and dont scare yourself." Alastor said to Helen, before she nodded. What kind of power did this woman have? She wasn't from around here, and making a move to open a store like that in a town like this? She was crazy, but not stupid. The last time someone had tried to do something like this they had gone out of business thanks to all the protesters and white men in the area. Just then, Alastor had came back into the dining room holding a steaming cup of tea. Helen could only stare at the card as Alastor placed the cup down in front of her.

"Should I go back?" Helen asked, before Alastor frowned, not liking the effect this had on her.

"I'm not sure." Alastor said, as Helen lifted the cup to her lips, taking a sip. " If you think it will help, then I suppose you could go back." Alastor said, standing as he picked the card up. " I think this is for a reading." He said, as he tapped the card. Helen nodded taking in his words, processing them.

" Did you feel it?" Helen asked, before Alastor nodded.

" Yes I did. It might be too much for you, but she seems a little light to me." Alastor said with a grin. Helen stood silent, knowing her son could handle more than she could now. 

" Why don't I go?" Alastor asked, before Helen snapped her head at him. Before she could protest, Alastor put a finger up, shushing her. " Before you argue, I am perfectly capable to handling myself. Besides, I wouldn't be alone." He said, gesturing to his shadow, which danced happily at his request. Helen sighed before feeling herself grow tired, sipping more of her tea.