Neelie's Story

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Neelie's Story Page 3

by Trish Jackson

CHAPTER 3

  I LIFTED IT OUT, and my hands trembled a little when I set it down on my bed and opened the lid. I carefully un-wrapped the tissue paper to reveal the black velvet cover. I slipped it out of box and set it down on my nightstand. My heart hammered as I slid the velvet cover off it, and my breath caught in my throat when I looked at the crystal ball again after all those years.

  I draped my hands around it and thrilled at the pulsing vibration, almost as if it was alive. The past few days I had been experiencing a sort of dread, and I had an overwhelming feeling that something bad was going to happen. Puri said the crystal ball wasn't for me. If only I could understand what she meant. Why did she give it to me if that was the case?

  I dug in the box for the Tarot pack.

  I waited until late that night when Mom and Bryony were asleep. I locked my bedroom door and set out thirteen candles in a circle on the floor. Would I see something in the depths of the crystal ball? Did I dare read the Tarots and find out what was in store for us? Would I be able to bear the answer? My whole body was shaking by that time, and I almost dropped the pack. I tried to breathe slower and calm myself.

  I almost jumped out of my skin when I heard the knock.

  "Mommy, I wet the bed," Bryony cried.

  WHEN I GOT home from work the next day, I saw that the UPS driver had left a package just inside the gate, as she often did. I carried it under my arm and set it down on the kitchen counter, and forgot about it while I greeted Bryony and Mom, and enjoyed a cup of tea with them and listened to Bryony's excited chatter.

  Mom turned her attention to making dinner, and I bathed Bryony and we ate. I read a bedside story to Bryony and put her to bed.

  I remembered the package.

  Mom was still cleaning up in the kitchen when I sliced open the tape and lifted the lid.

  "Oh God, No!" I screamed and screamed and collapsed onto the floor, and then I threw up and heaved and heaved until I thought I was going to die, and I wished I could.

  Mom dropped everything and peered into the box, let out a yelp and ran for the bathroom.

 

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