The Amulet

By Mindy Kasper

She fingered the slim, silver chain that hung delicately around her neck. Her fingers followed it from her collar down to her chest. Lifting up the amulet, she looked at the star. Five solid lines all held together by a silver chain.

As her fingers traced the lines, she felt the power of the elements; Earth, Air, Fire and Water. She felt them tracing through her body until she felt the fifth element, spirit, consume her. She felt it tugging at her heart, focusing on what she had know for a while. No longer could she deny who she was.

Sighing, she let go of the energy feeling it flow down her body back into the earth. She looked up to see her fiancé standing in the door. His brown eyes were unblinkingly attached to her face. Her hands instinctively reach for her pentacle to tuck it beneath her shirt.

NO! She heard her spirit scream. Realizing what she was about to do, she dropped her hand to her lap and meet his gaze.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

His dark green sweeter brought out the slight tan of his complexion. His light brown hair was parted so perfectly. Once again she wondered how she had fallen for such an “all-American boy’.

“I’m wearing it this time,” she said.

His lips deepened into a frown. Old tensions seemed to build as he said, “Not this again. I thought we agreed that you wouldn’t tell my mother. You know she won’t understand.”

“Jeremy, I can’t go over there one more time, look into her eyes and thank her for all she has done and then continue to hide who I am. What right do I have to lie to your mother and pretend to be something that I am not? It is only so you can keep her money. It isn’t fair.”

“Fair?” He said. “You want to talk about fair. I’ve known my mother for thirty years. In all that time she has not missed a single Sunday at church. She says grace before every meal. She only uses her TV to listen to television preachers. She has also founded, not one, but three charities whose primary function is to bring Christianity back into the world. How fair would it be to destroy her perfect world. How fair would it be to make my mother miss our wedding just like you made your mother.”

A slight blush began to appear on her cheeks. Her eyes began to water until a single tear fell out her right eye.

As Jeremy walked towards her she held her eyes towards the ground, no longer wishing to look at him. He reached towards her, his fingers caressing her cheeks as he sat down beside her. His hands attempted to hold her as he spoke his words of comfort.

“Amber, I love you. You know I love you. I will love you no matter what religion you are. It’s just that my mom wouldn’t understand. She couldn’t get past all that folklore about warts and brooms and human sacrifices. Remember how your family reacted, can you imagine how mine would react?”

“So that is what this is about.” Amber began. “I’m supposed to stay in the broom closet because you don’t want to ruin your families perfect picture on life. You stood by me when it was my family. When it begins to affect you, all you want to do is run away and leave me by myself.”

“Baby doll, no baby doll. I love you. I will always back you up no mater what.”

“Great.” Amber said, “I’m glad that’s settled. Do you think it would be too much to bring my pointy hat and stick on warts?” She asked as she got up and walked towards the open suitcase.

Zipping up the suitcase she glanced at his silent form. He was still sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Fine,” she said, “I guess the necklace will be enough.”

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