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Nerezza's mother had passed away a few weeks ago, but she was only just getting up the courage to go into her mother's old house. She opened the creaky front door that Maman had never oiled. Nerezza smiled, Maman had always said that squeaky hinges were God's way of tattling on naughty teenagers that broke curfew.

Finally, Nerezza walked into the house. Her well-oiled cowboy boots echoed on the the worn hardwood floors. Everyone else in the famly had already been through and taken their pound of flesh, and the rest had been given to Goodwill. Nerezza had her pictures, and that was all she needed. Her mother had left no will, so the family had descended like hungry vultures the day after the funeral.

She walked up the stairs, her black hair slapping her thighs in its long braid. Her olive complexion didn't really show the flush on her face, but no amount of dark skin could hide the tears that flowed from her deep hazel eyes. "Maman, why?", Nerezza sobbed. "Why didn't you tell me you were sick? Why didn't you tell anyone you were sick? Why did you leave me?"

Her mother's voice echoed through the empty house. "Why do you cry, mon chere? That brought Nerezza up short. All right, she was hearing the voice of her dead mother. Why not? "Because you are gone, Maman.

"Gone? Never." Nerezza jumped and turned around, as this time the voice came from right behind her. There, on the step below her, was her mother. "Only the body dies, ma petite bebe. Only the shell. I died because you were ready. " "Ready for what?" "Ready to take on the family duties."

She took off the locket that she had worn ever since Nerezza could remember, and placed it around Nerezza's neck. It was warm. "It has never lived for me", said Maman. "But you, I think, are different. Do you remember the stories I told you about the Muses? This locket holds the essence of Tragedy. If you are worthy and suited, as I think you are, the locket will be born into a babe, but not an ordinary babe. The child will be..different. I can tell you no more."

"But why couldn't you just give me this when you thought I was ready?" "You must receive this Muse only after a great loss. I had to wait, and the gods gave me permission to come back this one last time to give you this responsibility. After this, the only way I can live is if you remember me. If I am remembered, I can never truly die."

After she said this, she was suddenly gone.