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He placed the blanket over her legs, then sprinkled his flowers over her body. More tears leaked from my eyes. Grammy’s body was so cold down there in the grave, and Warren’s blanket would keep her warm.
Hattie stroked her Familiar’s head and came forward to partake in the wine. She held a potion bottle in her hands. “We knew each other for a brief time, and in that time, we became great friends. I offer this potion that you brewed me, meant to bring strength and vitality to the body. Now, I return it as a symbol of the strength and vitality you showed. You will be dearly missed.”
Professor Warren helped Hattie to her knees, so that she could place her offering and flowers inside the grave. She lingered there a moment as several tears leaked from her eyes, then Warren helped her stand again.
Onyx drank the wine and knelt beside the grave with a bundle of herbs in her hand. “I offer this herb bundle of chamomile and peppermint to symbolize your wisdom. You taught me many healing potions, and I will take that knowledge with me and continue to heal through the wisdom you passed on.”
Miles stepped up next. He held something that looked like a large gold coin in his hands, and when he shifted, I realized it hung from a ribbon. It was a gold medal. “I offer this medal I won in a Skee-Ball tournament last school year. It was the only thing I got to take with me when we fled Octavia Falls, and I wouldn’t have it without you. I didn’t know who you were at the time, but you found me in the halls of Miriam College when you were visiting Nadine one day. You asked me what was wrong, and I told you I was considering entering the tournament, but wasn’t sure, because I thought I’d lose. You asked if I was going to have fun, and I told you I would. You said as long as I loved what I was doing, I’d already won. You convinced me to join the tournament, and I won, just like you’d said. I offer this medal as a symbol of your ability to uplift us all.”
I’d never heard this story before. It made me cry harder.
Grant knelt beside the grave with a container of cookies. “I offer you these gingersnap cookies I baked. It’s the same recipe you made a month ago. When I asked you for the recipe, you took me to the kitchen and showed me how to bake them right away, like it was the only thing that mattered. You always saw me, even if it was for the smallest things. I offer these as a symbol of your generosity.”
Talia wiped her tears and pulled out a sheet of paper when she approached the grave. “When I was in a bad relationship, you found me crying at the park, and you sat there with me for over an hour as I contemplated breaking up with my ex or not. You were so kind and gentle, even though you told me to leave him. I never told anyone about that day, but I went home that night and wrote this song about what you said. I’ve held on to it because these words became a part of me, and I couldn’t bear to let them go. But I’m ready now. I offer this sheet music, as a symbol of the compassion you showed. I’m never going to play this song again, and that’s okay, because I don’t need to anymore.”
I didn’t know what Grammy had said to Talia, but it must’ve been profound. Cody had been so horrible to Talia, and as friends, we’d all done everything we could to help her ditch that awful relationship. I never realized that it was Grammy’s words that had given Talia the courage to leave.
Chloe went next. “Helena, you showed me kindness I didn’t deserve. I am descended from the man who killed your husband, and I was cursed to keep your granddaughter out of town. I made bad choices and treated people poorly. I came to Nadine and joined her cause to create a better coven, and it is because of you that I have the chance to be here at all. You could have cast me out and refused to welcome me as one of your own, but you didn’t. You welcomed me with open arms, without any hatred or bad blood. That says everything about who you are as a person, and as a witch. You showed me the power of forgiveness, and I will carry that with me forever.”
I barely concealed a sob. Chloe and I had been through a lot to get to where we were today, and breaking our curse together had been a catalyst for the friendship we shared now. But I’d never thought about what Grammy must’ve thought of her, because it was so natural for Grammy to be kind to everyone. Chloe was right, and Grammy’s kindness toward her made the coven—and the world—a better place. It wasn’t fair that Grammy had to die when people like the priestesses got to live and continue ruling the coven through fear. We needed more people like Grammy in the world, who were willing to forgive.
Chloe conjured a can of olives, and I didn’t understand what it meant until she started speaking. “I wanted to offer an olive branch, as a symbol of the peace and reconciliation you offered me. Since I do not have an olive branch, I offer these olives to symbolize my gratitude for the forgiveness you have shown, and to give my love back in these final moments.”
Lucas approached the grave with a jar of applesauce in his hands. It was the applesauce we’d made with Grammy over the summer, and it hurt to even look at it. It was all the moments we shared with her, and everything she taught us, all condensed into a single glass container. I feared the jar may shatter, because I was certainly falling to pieces on the inside.
Lucas drank the wine, then paused for a few beats to collect his thoughts. “Helena, I met you in my darkest time. I had lost my brother, and I thought that the only person who’d ever care for me was gone. I came to you seeking healing through herbs and potions, but you saw I needed so much more when I didn’t know it myself. You gave me a safe space to speak about what I’d been through, and you offered advice when I didn’t know how to ask for it. Your love saved my life. Without you, I wouldn’t be here, and I hate that I didn’t get a chance to tell you that. I offer you this applesauce as a symbol of the memories we created together. I love you deeply, and your memory will live on.”
Lucas placed his offering and flowers into the grave, then took a step back. It was my turn, but the words felt stuck in my throat.
“It’s okay if you don’t say anything,” he whispered.
“I want to.” I approached the altar and lifted the goblet to my lips. A horrible bitter scent filled my nose, and I already knew what it would taste like on my tongue. Still, I wasn’t prepared for how awful it would be. The bitterness of the wine flowed over my tastebuds, and I wanted to spit it back out. I forced myself to choke it down, because I didn’t want to ruin the ceremony.
I rushed to set the goblet back on the altar, but in my haste, the goblet fell over, spilling the remaining wine across the grass. I stared as the bitter liquid seeped into the ground.
“It’s okay,” Verla quickly assured me. “You may speak whenever you’re ready, Nadine.”
I tore my gaze from the wine and turned to the grave. I drew a deep breath, though my voice cracked. “Grammy, I thought I had more time with you. You’ve been there for me through everything, from the moment I was born, through my therapy sessions, and during my time in the hospital. It didn’t matter how long the drive was—you’d always make it. Then Mom and Dad died, and you gave me a home again. You taught me some of the hardest lessons in life and guided me when I felt lost. You may be gone from this life, but you’ll always be in my heart. The world was a better place with you in it.”
I knelt at the edge of the grave. “I offer this lily bulb as a symbol of your love. I know how much your garden meant to you, and how much you loved us all. My love for you is like this lily. It will survive throughout the changing seasons, and it never needs replacing. I’ve loved you since the day I was born, and I will love you long after I die. Rest in peace, Grammy.”
I tossed the forget-me-nots into her grave, then gently placed the lily bulb beside her. I stepped back and began to sob.
We joined hands in a circle, and a low funeral tune filled the air as my friends began to sing a witch’s song. Though I mouthed the words, I couldn’t bring enough air through my lungs to make it audible.
You were the crystal on my altar
And the wand that I had conjured
You were the potion in the cauldron
The incantation I once pondered
You were all that gave me power
You lifted me so high
Now at this final hour
