Introducing two of my favorite characters - Billy Dawson and Charity Froste. Hope you enjoy the excerpt and some really great cookout dips to try.
“And so it begins.” Billy Dawson flipped over the tarot card, placing it on top of the first card.
Charity Froste sighed, poured two cups of coffee and took a seat across the table from him.
“Jacody soon be on his way,” she stated, sipping the thick hot liquid. She rolled her eyes, noticing the cards. New fangled toys was what they was. She touched the medicine bag lying between her two huge breasts. Now there was real magic.
Billy didn’t look up. He didn’t need to. He could feel her disapproval. “Tools, Miss Charity. The cards, the stones, the bones, they’re all just tools.”
“Dem’ bones don’t lie,” Charity chastised him.
Billy swallowed the laugh on his lips as the wind carried the sound to their ears. A lonesome sound. A sound of pain. A sound of heartache. The sound of a lost soul.
Billy turned over the next card. The Hanged Man.
Perhaps the sound of destiny.
Tonight a soul would pass into the netherworld. The white wolf would howl its mournful song. The elder would dance and sing his prayers to God. The dreamers would dream.
“Told you dem’ bones don’t lie.” Charity eyed him suspiciously. “You called the wolf, didn’t you?”
Billy shuffled the cards, ignoring the question. She knew the answer. “We can’t be interfering, Miss Charity.”
“He’s a good man.”
“Yes, ma’am, I reckon he is.”
“Ain’t right.” Charity clutched the cup tightly. Time was running out. Night would come all too soon. A dark night.
“No, ma’am.” Billy continued to shuffle, mindful to be respectful and listen. Answering her, although it probably wasn’t necessary.
Charity studied her reflection in the coffee cup. Lost in thought. “He didn’t choose the path he’s on.”
“No, ma’am. I don’t reckon he did.” Billy pulled another card. Miss Charity was losing her accent.
“Somebody chose it for him before he was even born. It just isn’t right, I tell you. And I can’t just sit here and do nothing. I can’t just watch him die. I’m not going to do that, Billy Dawson. You can’t ask me to do that.”
Billy reached for the last card, avoiding her searching eyes. He knew what she wanted. What she needed. She was waiting for him to say something. Answer the question she hadn’t asked. Condone her interference, or condemn her actions not yet taken. He could neither condone nor condemn. He’d already interfered. Now there was nothing to do but wait.
Billy turned the last card over. The Devil grinned up at him. A male chained to his left, a female to his right. His smile a mockery of everything Billy believed in.
Lifting his head he met her gaze. There was nothing he could say to ease her pain. “I’m sorry, Miss Charity.”
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Cheese Dip
2 lb. Mexican Velveeta Cheese
1 lb. sausage
1 - 15 oz. can stewed tomatoes
Brown sausage and drain. Melt cheese on low heat. Stir in sausage and stewed tomatoes. Do not drain. (for those with a love of "hot" stir in some jalapeno peppers).
Bagel Dip
8 oz. package cream cheese
1 cup MIRACLE WHIP
2 - 3 oz. Buddig beef packages
1 bunch green onions, chopped
Dash of Worcestershire sauce
Dash of garlic powder
Mix all together and chill.
Onion and Bacon Dip
8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
6 slices bacon, fried crisp & crumbled
Dash of salt
1 medium onion, chopped fine
Miracle Whip
Mix first four ingredients together and add enough Miracle Whip to make smooth and of dip consistency.
Mexican Dip
1 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 - 8 oz. carton sour cream
1 can refried beans
1 envelope taco seasoning mix
20 drops Tabasco sauce
3 green onions chopped
Mix all together. Spread in casserole dish. Cover with shredded cheese (about 1 cup). Bake at 350 for about 25 to 30 minutes until hot throughout. Serve with nacho chips.
Artichoke Dip
1 cup Parmesan Cheese
1 can artichokes
1 cup mayonnaise
Stir ingredients together. Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.
Veggie Dill Dip
1 pint sour cream
1 cup Hellman's mayonnaise
6 tsp. dill weed
6 tsp. minced onion
4 tsp. parsley flakes
2 tsp. Lawry's Seasoned Salt
Mix all together, chill; serve. Good with veggies or chips.
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