by Jeff Vrolyks
* * *
It was Friday night, five days after Aaron had returned to Fresno. Norrah cooked eggplant parmesan and spaghetti, for four. Brittney arrived at sunset in new clothes purchased a couple days ago, having the luxury of an ample checking account thanks to Norrah. She looked beautiful, as I knew she would, having been told that my brother Caleb was going to be dining with us. I could see it in both their eyes when they met and shook hands, that they were going to become a couple. Sometimes it happens that quickly, and tonight it did. My brother gets the chicks, but rarely does he get excited over any particular one, but this time was different. He was looking in her eyes, not at her chest: a good sign.
After dinner Norrah excused herself to make coffee and check on the cookies in the oven. The place was rockin’ the chocolate-chip cookie aroma.
“Oh, Norrah,” Brittney said, “I didn’t tell you that the bad dreams stopped. Thank God, because they were pretty horrible.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Norrah said and returned to the table.
Brittney drew the charm out from under her tunic. It was attached to a fine golden necklace, which she had bought after having worn it on thread for two days. She brandished the charm for us all to see.
“Aaron told me about that,” I said. “Enjoy that charm, because it was produced divinely, by God. The most precious charm on earth.” Brittney and my brother looked confused. “He only had two crosses earlier that day,” I explained, “and wound up giving all you guys one. Like in the bible, the couple fish and loaves of bread turning into a bounty, that’s what happened with the charms.”
Brittney gazed at the charm, bedazzled. It swung slowly below her fingers. “I was going to say that the nightmares stopped after Aaron spoke with us, but I didn’t consider that the cross might be responsible. Now I think… now I think—”
“That God is watching over you?” Norrah said. “The cross represents that?”
Brittney looked over at her, nodded once.
“I wish I had gotten one,” I said sulkily.
“Me too,” said Norrah.
We all stared in silent thought at the little charm for a good while, hypnotized at both its movement and divinity. The coffee maker beeped.
“Who wants coffee and cookies?” Norrah said and got up. We all wanted some.
“So Brittney,” Caleb said, “how often do you come up the hill?”
“My brother lives up here too,” I said cryptically at Brittney with a wink.
“Not much, but that’s about to change. I’m going to start spending more time with Norrah. And you too, Jay! I’m not leaving you out!”
“Cool,” Caleb said. “You all let me know and I’ll come on over.”
Part 5: