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"What?"

"This," I said and showed him the red coral amulet. He grimaced.

"What's that?"

"Its a spiritual gift. It's red coral and it has powers. If you wear it all the time, it will make you courageous, improve your memory, calm your emotions, give you peace of mind, and prevent tension that can cause heart trouble," I recited just as Mommy had recited to me. "It s very, very valuable. Elliot,"

He continued to grimace. "You believe in all that?"

"I know s true." I said. He shrugged and reached for it.

"Maybe I'll give it to Harmony." he said. "I'll tell her it cost a lot. But I'd rather have money. understand."

"Yes. I'll try to get you more soon," I promised and started to

turn away.

"Hey, where do you think you're going?"

"I've got to get home." I said,

"Not quite yet." he said. "Get yourself back here right now. Now!" he commanded.

"Can't you leave me alone?" I pleaded. What did Daddy mean when he whispered to me in the wind? How could I be patient under such

circumstances? Did I imagine his voice again?

"No. I can't leave you alone, and you don't want me to," Elliot said. smiling. He leaned back on his rolled-up jacket he was using as a pillow and inhaled more of his marijuana. "All right.'' he said. "Take off your clothes again."

"What?"

"You heard me. Do it."

I started to shake my head.

"Do it and do it right there. Don't start acting modest or something and turn your back on me either. I know what you have hidden. Go ahead. start. I don't have all day."

I closed my eyes and bit down on my lower lip so hard. I could taste blood.

"If you're a good girl-boy,Ill let you puff on a joint later," he promised.

I shook my head.

"I don't want to puff on a joint."

"What you want and don't want is not important. Get started," he said. "Now. or I'm off to the local newspapers and radio station. They might even pay me for the story, you know," he said smiling. "Sure. I bet I could make a lot more than your promised thousand dollars. which I might never see." He looked serious. "Maybe I should just forget it and leave. Is that what you want?"

I felt like I was sinking in the earth, felt like it had opened and I was slowly descending. I wished it was so. I wished I could disappear forever.

"No," I said.

"Okay. Then ask me to stay, Say. Please stay. Elliot. Go on. Ask."

He put his hands down to push himself up, threatening to leave and do what he said. Go to the newspapers and to the radio stations.

"Please stay. Elliot." I said quickly.

All right. That's better. Start with that shirt. I want to see you take off that contraption and unwrap those boobs again. Go on. Start!"