Stephen’s presence meant I also had the opportunity to get to know his wife, Ester. The tall, olive-skinned woman had the wild curly locks of a gypsy and expressive black eyes. She was also a Spiritualist and magnetic healer with impressive skills in trance communication. I took an immediate liking to Ester when we clasped hands upon meeting and the woman’s light and buoyant energy filled me.
Given our shared ability to speak to the spirits, it was only natural to invite Ester to our weekly séances, which were conducted in Katherine’s darkened parlor, where the windows let in wide silver swaths from the moon.
I took a seat at a small rectangular table, James on my right. Next to him was Tennie, then Stephen. Ester, who insisted on serving as medium, was seated across from me, the chair t
