??? It had been a long day, and as Mary Dunn locked the doors of her shop, Charming Conundrums, she let out a deep sigh. It had been oppressively hot the past few days, but now a cool breeze was blowing in off the gulf, dispelling the funk that had enveloped the French Quarter.
??? She made her way out onto Bourbon street, mingling with the crowds. Her raven hair glistened slightly in the streetlights, her long skirts swished as she walked. Mary meandered her way down the street to AJ¡¯s lounge, watching the ebb and flow of foot traffic. Finding a spot at the end of the bar at AJ¡¯s she leaned over to the bartender and announced, ¡°bless me, parson.¡±
??? A broad, winter white smile crossed the man¡¯s dark face. ¡°Mary Dunn. Been a while since you darkened my barstools, where you been, woman?¡± He poured three fingers of Irish whiskey into a glass and passed it to her.¡±
??? ¡°Here and there, Clarence,¡± she replied, taking a sip of the smooth liquor. ¡°Been working, getting some new spells and charms ready in the shop, spending time with my man, the usual.¡±
??? Clarence leaned back, raised an eyebrow slightly, and replied, ¡°an¡¯ yet here you are, without the man. So, how¡¯s it going with the cop? Everything okay?¡±
??? Mary chuckled. ¡°It is what it is, Clarence. He¡¯s got his teeth into a new case, gruesome one though he can¡¯t share much. It¡¯s just me an¡¯ Knuckles tonight.¡± She nodded towards the stage, ¡°who¡¯s playing with Chester tonight? He¡¯s not bad.¡± She dropped a ten on the bar, making a motion for Clarence to keep the change.
??? ¡°Fella just strolled in off the street,¡± Clarence replied as he turned to watch the musicians. ¡°Chester seems to know him, so he¡¯s cool. Play¡¯s good too.¡± He tapped the bar twice as he picked up the ten and winked, then went to the other end of the bar to handle another customer.
??? Mary fondled the three human finger bones in her pocket, causing them to rattle. ¡°What do you think, Knuckles?¡± she whispered.
??? ¡°Not bad,¡± a disembodied voice whispered back, ¡°I could do better, once upon a time.¡±
??? Mary just chuckled softly at the spirit, leaned back, and let the music wash over her.
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