AUNTY BABS DUPPY

A little boy had a close aunt who always took care of him when he was young. Her name was Babs.

One evening, Babs was crossing the road when a bus hit her. She got trapped under the front tire and died.

Before she passed, Babs used to care for an old woman who lived near the little boy’s house”let’s call her Miss Lue.

One day, the boy stayed home from school because he wasn’t feeling well. He sat on the veranda, playing with his blocks, while his Granny was inside on the phone. The street outside was empty.

Out of curiosity, he climbed onto the grill and looked out. That’s when he saw her.

Babs.

She was walking down the road, her handbag swinging at her side, heading toward Miss Lue’s house.

His heart leaped with excitement.

Babs! Babs! Babs, come here nuh! Nuh hear me a call you? he shouted.

She stopped.

Slowly, she turned and looked straight into his eyes.

Just as he was about to call her name again, his Granny grabbed him. She clamped her hand over his mouth and pulled him inside the room.

Moments later, Babs reached Miss Lue’s house and chaos followed.

Furniture overturned, objects smashed. It was as if a storm had swept through the place.

His Granny didn’t hesitate. She rubbed oil on his forehead, murmuring prayers, her hands firm and urgent.

Then she looked him in the eyes and warned him, her voice grave.

If yuh ever see a duppy, don’t call out to it. Don’t point at it.

From that day on, he never saw Babs again.

But he did see others.

A lot more.