Chapter 16: Clandango
Wednesday's POV
Today is my 18th birthday, I'm officially an adult. There's a tradition in the family where we are supposed to do a ritual called a "Clandango." It is very similar to the "Fandango," which is a Spanish dance that is usually danced by a man and woman when they begin dating. The "Clandango" is a ritualistic dance my family does when someone turns eighteen. Basically, in the words of my father, my family will bury the child and raise the woman. We also raise our ancestors from the grave to join the celebration. Afterwards, we celebrate what it is to be an Addams, since last dead leaf of autumn falls from our family tree on this day every year.
Mother knocks at my bedroom door, "Wednesday, darling. It's time to get ready."
"Yes, mother."
Morticia's POV
I close the lid on the coffin Wednesday just stepped into, "Wednesday's growing up."
"She'll be Thursday before we know it." Gomez says.
I chuckle as I rock Pubert in my arms, trying to get him to go to sleep, "Remember when Wednesday was this age?"
"Like it was yesterday." Gomez smiles.
As Pubert goes to sleep, we notice the last leaf from the family tree fall slowly to the ground.
"It's time."
Wednesday's POV
"What a night. Nothing raises the spirits like the intoxicating gloom of the graveyard. The ancient headstones, the wilted flowers, the pitter patter of little rat feet…makes a man feel back to be alive. But tonight, there is something extra in the air. Tonight is special. Wednesday Addams is child no more. Come, every member of our clan. Living, dead…and undecided… Bestow your blessings on our daughter. For tonight we burry the child and raise the woman as we dance the Clandango."
The Clandango begins, the lid of the coffin opens and I step out of it, taking father's hand, and join in the dance before the coffin is laid down for me to stand on.
"And now, in the presence of your ancestors buried beneath our family tree, it is time for the three questions." Uncle Fester and father help me onto the coffin, "Beloved daughter, now that you have achieved the age of consent, what does thou promise?"
"To honor the family, its beliefs and rituals without question or doubt."
"First born, precious above rubies, when it is time to choose a mate, what qualities do we value above all others?" mother asks.
"That they be passionate and true, even unto death."
"How about the old folk when they start to drool and chew on their sox, will you throw them out in a heap with the garbage?" Grandma asks.
"I shall not, I will give them a little room in the attic with kitchen privileges."
After the three questions are answered, we summon our ancestors to join the celebration and continue the dance. After they come, my braids are cut and mother leads me to the coffin for the next part of the Clandango, which is dancing on the coffin. When the Clandango is finished, we celebrate what it is to be an Addams, doing five dances with our ancestors: the "Line Dance", "Bunny Hop", the "Twist, "Death Rattle," and "Rigor Mortis." After we finish this, the ancestors go back into their crypt, and we return to the house to celebrate my birthday.