Witches and Devils

Constance

"Now, who do you think you are, coming in here, swanning around, spewing vulgarities?" As Billie and I talk, I hear a woman's heels coming down the stairs. I look up and see an older, blonde woman.

"I'm here on behalf of the new owners. Who are you?"

"I'm Constance Langdon. And this... is my fucking house." I take a deep breath as Constance continues down the stairs, "come on, no sense in standing there, wasting space." She walks past Billie and I and into the sitting room, "so tell me, why are you here?"

I take a deep breath as I step into the room, "I am here to learn about Michael Langdon."

Constance looks at me a bit surprised, "why?"

"Uh... Michael is to be my coven's next supreme, or leader."

"No," Constance shakes her head, "I raised that boy, that's not it." She looks me over, "you're in love with him." She chuckles, "then I suspect you aren't moving in. Since Michael is no longer welcome in this house. So I guess, you won't be able to run down to the Korean and to get me my Crown Royal and Virginia Slims."

"No, but I can set up a delivery service for you and anyone else who would need something."

"Is that so?"

I nod, "yes."

"While this side of the mortal coil makes it impossible to get a good buzz going, but old habits die hard."

"It's done," I hear a woman behind me and as I turn I see a red headed woman in a maid costume. The woman is older, around Constance's age if I had to guess, and appears to be blind in one eye. "As demanded, the living room has been tidied yet again."

"We'll just see about that," Constance crosses the room to her, "I won't be but a moment."

Billie looks over to me, "it'll be more than a moment," she takes a drag off of her cigarette.

A little while later, I hear glass shattering and run into the living room, "is everything alright?"

"It is so hard to find good help," Constance gestures over to the maid.

"That poor woman." Billie walks over to Constance, putting her purse on the table. "In a house filled with tragedy, she might be the saddest soul of all." She sits down and crosses her legs.

"Oh, shut up."

"Alright."

"I'm sorry," I look between the women who just seem to be wasting time, "but I need to know about Michael."

Constance and Billie look to each other concerned before Billie looks back to me, "we have nothing to say about him."

"But you raised him..." I look to Constance.

"I said, we're not talking."

Constance shakes her head, "oh, pipe down, Billie." Constance looks over to me, "I know more about that boy than any woman, dead or alive." I nod and lower my head, "but I don't spill a drop of tea for free, kiddo."

"What do you want?"

"To remove that insufferable cloudy-eyed ginger from these premises permanently. If you really do have witchcraft at your disposal, then just abracadabra that goddamn bitch out of my afterlife, huh? Bless me with some peace and quiet."

"Constance, I only have a few hours here, but I can promise you someone will be here after I leave and they will be able to do something about her."

Constance thinks for a moment and sighs, "fine... But only because you remind me so much of myself." Constance lights up another cigarette, "so what is it you need to know about Michael?"