The Gypsy Witch

by Roberta Kagan

  Friends of my family gave us gifts of money. They came over and kissed us and offered their blessings then they handed us cash and said as is our custom. "Here is a little bit of money from me, Let God give you all that you could ever want."

  We graciously thanked them. Jan hugging them like a true Rom, as he drank with the men and I saw how they accepted him into our world. I knew the Rom and how they think. Jan would always be a gago, but he was a special one and they liked him.

  The party lasted until we were exhausted, and then as was the tradition, Jan and I went off alone. This was the time I was supposed to be losing my virginity.

  Our first time as man and wife could not have been any more glorious. The love that radiated from our union filled our marriage bed with joy, such as I had never known.

  Mama and I moved to the farm and stored our wagon in the barn.

  Sometimes in the afternoon, I could distract Jan from his work and we would take the horses out for a run. He rode with a saddle and I rode bareback as the Rom do. Up we galloped through the hills laughing until we reached the top. I would pack a lunch of cheese and bread and we would stop and eat. Our love was always overcoming us and we found ourselves in each others arms.

  I had a lot to learn about life on a farm. Jan taught me to milk a cow, and we both laughed when the milk sprayed in my face and it trickled down the bodice of my dress. He lifted me off the little stool and picked me up easily, his arms were so strong, then embracing, we kissed. Tenderly he began to lick the milk that had spilled across my neck and chest. I giggled like a young girl and he laughed.

  In the middle of the afternoon, in the barn, laying on a pile of freshly cut hay, he kissed my breasts until we were both so filled with passion we could not stop long enough to get back to the house. Instead our love consumed us right where we were. With one hand he reached under my skirts and touched me. I moaned, I was ready, longing to feel his hardness deep inside me.

  Jan would not be rushed. He was a slow passionate lover who played my body like a fine Stradivarius. Kissing my thighs with his soft warm lips he slipped his tongue inside of me. My insides caressed him lovingly. Finally when I could no longer stand to be without him, I begged , and he entered me. And once again we drifted off to heaven.

  Jan was always kind and generous to me and mama, but not only to us. He was a good neighbor. He helped the old farmer who lived down the road, simply because he had no sons of his own. And as Jan told me, the old man was getting on in years and this hard work was too much for him.

  The farm consumed our every waking moment. The winter, would be comfortable if we prepared now. I learned to make cheese, and to can fruits in glass jars as well as the asparagus that we grew by using heat.

  We slaughtered a pig before the winter set in and preserved the meat with salt.

  What remained of our crop, Jan took into town and traded or sold to buy grains. There was a cellar under the barn where we stored all of our food. The winter would be easy on us, we would have plenty. And, where I had once dreaded the winter, I now longed to spend the cold months warm in Jans strong embrace.

  "Mother" Jan would ask her "What price do you think these asparagus will bring at the market?" He always asked her opinion, always making her feel very important and needed.

  "Mother, from the look of the sunset, do you think we will have rain tomorrow?"

  Or "Mother, what do the cards say, will we have a grandchild for you to bounce on your knee before the next year is out?"

  She loved it. And, as was his intention, she loved him. I don't think she missed the open road for one minute.

  I was happy that they got on so well. My mother had long since stopped telling fortunes for the gage and so did I, but she always read for Jan. She told him how bright our future would be, and he sat and listened, looking very serious and pretending to believe every word she said.

  Mama was taken in. He was her son now, blond and gage or not. It no longer mattered to her. I was happy, for the first time in my life. Every day I saw the miracles in all the small things I had never paid attention to before. The sunsets looked a little pinker and in the morning the songs of the birds were sweeter. I laughed at the squirrels as the chased each other up and down the thick trunks of the trees.

  As I passed the barn I heard Jan singing and it made me smile.

  Whenever Jan went into town he returned with gifts for me and mama. She was like a gago child at Christmas waiting in eager anticipation for whatever trinket he might bring. Many times I gathered wild flower bouquets of royal purples, vivid pinks and egg yoke yellows, but quite often he brought them to the house presenting them to me with a kiss.

  Our lives were good. Our lives were very good. Until Grigori found me.

  I was on my way back to the house from the chicken coop. I'd been gathering eggs. Jan was in town and mama was asleep. And there he was, his long black robe encircling him with darkness. His hair hung about his shoulders in knots.

  "I've finally found you. I have spent the last two years in search. I realized that I love you, and I never want to be apart again." He was walking towards me, his arms outstretched.

  My blood ran cold, what was I to do? What, was I ever to do?

  Chapter Nine….

  “D

  amn your soul to hell, Grigori Rasputin. How did you find me? And why in God's name have you come back after so many years?"

  I glared into his hypnotic eyes the color of sapphires, terrified of the power he might still have over me.

  “I love you, I realized how much.”

  "And so, you come here and find me with no thought of how this might affect my life?'

  "I hoped you would be happy to see me."

  He was walking slowly towards me; those eyes never wavered from penetrating my own.

  I shook my head.

  "No, Grigori, I am not happy to see you. I've been married for a little over two years, happily married."

  "Sweet gypsy girl, there is no man for you but me."

  He put his arms around me. I felt bile rise up in my throat. I swallowed hard to keep from vomiting.

  "No, Grigori"

  He did not stop. He would not listen. The basket of eggs dropped from my hand as he knocked me to the ground. Tears filled my eyes. His face hardened with determination as he attempted to kiss me. With all of my strength I tried to push him away, but he was incredibly powerful. Using both hands he grabbed my face pressing his lips hard against mine. Turning quickly away, I spit the taste of his foul kiss from my mouth. Grabbing my shoulders in his massive hands, he shook me hard, at the same time nuzzling into my neck. I reached over and bit his upper arm, the salt of his blood bitter on my tongue. My feet made contact with his legs and groin as I kicked frantically and hammered at his back with my fists. Unable to face what was happening to me , I turned away. There on the ground were the broken eggs and the little white basket lying on its side.

  Tears spilled down my face.

  With his legs he forced my thighs open. I fought harder, but he pinned my arms down as he forced himself inside of me. Then glaring into my eyes he began to move, and the power of his magic came over me like a black veil and I am ashamed to admit, I wanted him

  I lay beneath him, our eyes fixed together until it was over.

  "I told you that you still loved me."

  Then he got up and turned to leave. I still lay on the ground my skirts up above my waist and my arms bruised where he had held them.

  "I will be back, and when I come I will take you with me."

  And he was gone.

  The broken eggs had spilled their contents all over the emerald grass. I looked at the mixture of deep yellow and bright green and I vomited.

  Back at the house I agonized. I knew that when he came for me, I would follow Grigori.

  I was under his spell.

  That evening when Jan returned, I could not sleep beside him. The innocence of his kisses filled me with guilt. I knew what I must do.

 
; In the middle of the night as Jan and mama slept, I went to the barn. I took Mara, my favorite horse, and prepared her for the journey. I gently slipped the bit into her cooperative mouth and pulled the bridle over her head. Jumping onto the animals bare back I leaned forward and patted her neck. The smell of horse manure filled the barn. I smoothed her mane and cooed over the side of her ear. Then in the blackest of night I rode away from all of the happiness I had ever known, to find the only person I thought might be able to break this spell.

  I searched the trees in the darkness for patrin, signs that gypsies leave for each other , but found none. Exhausted and blinded by the lack of light from the new moon, I continued to search. Finally the following morning, I found marks on a bush indicating a Kompania had come through the area. It could be any one of a dozen different groups.

  Now there were marks every few yards and I followed them carefully. At one point I rode through an open field. All around me there were deep purple flowers and a heady sweet fragrance that I found intoxicating. Finding myself lost in the peaceful beauty allowed me for a moment to forget my predicament.

  I didn't see them. Three peasant boys of maybe sixteen years were pursuing me on horse back. I might have remained oblivious until they were upon me had one not cried out

  "Zigeuya"

  They were taunting me. All three of them had fire orange hair, and that made me think that they might be brothers. I had learned to ride early and my horse and I were as one. With a clucking sound as I leaned into her neck. I gave her our signal to pick up speed.

  "Go Mara, hurry up girl"

  The little horse threw her head back and whinnied as we whipped through the field and across an open dirt road. They were hot on my trail, but they couldn't catch me. Now the boys were hollering as their laughter pierced the air.

  "Gypsy girl, come over here. Come on Zigeuya, tell our fortune, we won't hurt you."

  Wildly they kicked their horses racing each other as much as they were trying to catch me.

  I knew they meant me no good, learning early in life that boys in a group could spell danger. I turned my horse and rode up a hill and out of the clearing. I ducked back into the forest and road through tight openings in the trees until my horse and I were virtually lost to the gagos.

  After a sigh of relief, I patted Mara, grateful for her help, and rode on.

  Just as the sun was making her magnificent exit in shades of bright fuchsia calmed by brushstrokes of royal blue, I came upon the kompania. There just a few miles from the Swiss border, a band of gypsy vurduns had stopped for the night.

  Dogs were barking as I dismounted, but I was immediately greeted and recognized as Rom. This was not my Kompania, but all gypsies are cousins

  "Please, I need to see the Shuvani, the medicine woman. I need help."

  The two young boys that greeted me were Chavvis, Romany children, and so they understood immediately.

  "Come and follow."

  They led me to a wagon made of logs, and badly in need of paint.

  "In here" One of the boys indicated, and I entered.

  A woman sat on the floor her legs splayed out in front of her, white hair caught up in a bun at the nape of her neck, she made a sucking sound as she puffed a silver pipe. Lined like a map, her weathered brown face showed no emotion. But her deep onyx eyes studied me.

  "You're in trouble, child."

  "Yes, mother. A great deal of trouble."

  "Sit then. Tell me."

  I told her everything, and she listened as I wept. Then shaking her head she looked into my eyes.

  The smoke burned my eyes and made me cough as a gray fog floated out of the wide mouth of her pipe each time she inhaled. She rocked back and forth as she contemplated my situation. Finally after what seemed like hours, but in fact was only minutes, she placed her pipe on the ground. Only a few teeth remained on either side of her wrinkled mouth, her parched lips smiled in sympathy.

  "I will help you. But you know child, you are a gypsy witch as I am. You, are a special one. As you grow older your powers will become stronger. I know you don't believe me, but you have the power to do this yourself if you so chose."

  "Old mother, I have some magical abilities, I know, but not against him. He is so strong. I cannot get away. It is essential that the spell be broken, and that he no longer is able to control me. I wish for him to go from my life and leave me in peace."

  She continued to rock. Lifting her pipe she stuffed it full again and lit it then continued puffing deeply in silence.

  "If you do not believe that you can do it alone, you will not be able to."

  Finally she rose and walked over to a cabinet. She took a bottle of herbs and mixed them with a liquid. "Take this sweet child, and by tomorrow, you will be free of his magic."

  Kneeling she handed me the vial. For an old woman she was very limber.

  I drank the potion, and felt nothing.

  "Old mother, I would like to give you some money."

  I took a small velvet purse filled with coins and put it on the floor beside her.

  "Do not leave me money, you are Rom, you are one of us."

  "But I can spare it and I wish to make this gift to you."

  With gnarled fingers she took the money bag, and nodded her thanks.

  "Hurry home, your husband is filled with worry. Go now, and all will be as you wish."

  "Thank you, thank you mother"

  Turning away, she dismissed me, then lifted her hand and waved to indicate that our time together was over.

  I left.

  Through the forest, I rode, the sound of galloping hoofs were all I heard. The tree branches scraped my face and arms but I continued faster than an arrow flies.

  When I arrived the following morning, Jan skin was the color of the old mother's smoke. I could see by the dark thick swellings beneath his eyes that he had not slept.

  "Where were you? I was so worried?'

  "Please, don't ask me. I had to go and find a Kompania."

  "For what? Couldn't you wait and I would have gone with you? I found the horse gone and I knew you'd ridden off somewhere. When I thought of you all alone in the dark night, I was distraught. I rode all around town looking, but I couldn't find you. I tore my hair out hoping it was not something I had done. My God, please don't ever do anything like this again."

  "It's nothing you did. I walked over and touched his face. I felt him melt like butter.

  "Promise me, please that you won't ever do anything like this again."

  "I'm so sorry, I won't. I promise."

  After riding all night I was dirty and spent. I bathed my body and my hair. As I lay immersed in the hot soapy water, I was thankful that Jan had not pressed me for more information. I retired to my bed and slept for two days.

  I awoke to find Jan beside me, asleep in a chair. Rising from the bed I walked over to him. Tenderly kissing his cheek I helped him to lie down. I placed a light blanket over him and he fell asleep. For a few minutes I stood watching him, filled with tenderness.

  Late that afternoon, while Jan was finishing work on the land, Grigori appeared.

  "I was here several days ago, looking for you, where have you been?'

  "Never mind where I've been. Don't come here anymore."

  "You will come with me?"

  "No, Grigori, it's over. Leave me in peace. Go."

  He started towards me, but his eyes lost their magnetism and I lifted my fingers pointing them at him in the sign of a gypsy curse.

  "It's over."

  Above us a melody sprung from the throat of a songbird. I saw the fear in his eyes as he looked at my hand. Turning away, Grigori walked quietly out of my life.

  I was sure that everything would be fine now. Jan and I would resume our happy marriage, and all would be well. And it was.

  For six weeks.

  Two events would take place that would change things forever.

  Chapter Ten…

  I

  was in the kitchen choppi
ng potatoes when I heard mama cry out. Dropping the knife I ran to see what was wrong. On the wooden floor beside her bed she lay trembling, her face shrouded by a dark shadow.

  "What is it Mama?" I knelt beside her.

  "I am so dizzy. My head hurts. I am seeing two of everything."

  I helped her up and back into bed. Then I ran to the kitchen to boil a pot of water and added a bit of chopped willow bark. The medicine simmered as I cut a chunk of her hair and then ran outside to bury it.

  Upon returning I propped her up with pillows and spooned the mixture into her mouth. Unable to swallow the liquid dribbled from her formless lips, and her face seemed to sag drastically on one side.

  "Mama, what can I do?"

  "Go and get Jan."

  I ran outside to find Jan brushing one of the horses in the barn. He looked up as I entered.

  "What's wrong?"

  "Mama is sick. She wants you."

  "I'm coming."

  He followed me back to the house. "I'm here, Mama. What hurts you?"

  She told him, and he motioned that I meet him outside the room.

  When we were alone he looked at me gravely.

  "I think she's very ill. Perhaps I should go and fetch a doctor."

  "Mama would never agree to a gago doctor."

  "She might if I talked to her."

  "No. I gave her some willow bark and buried a piece of her hair. That should help."

  His hand caressed my face."Sweetheart, my love, I know you believe in all of this, but perhaps a doctor might help."

  "You insult me."

  "Never! I just want what's best for mama."

  "I know what's best for mama."