"THE MYSTIFYING TALISMANIC* CAPE"

                                              By:  Jeanne

From the smudged window of her school bus as it stopped for a red light, she spied the beautiful red cape.  It was displayed in the alcove of Clarice's "Second Hand Treasures."  As the bus rumbled to life again, Kylin's head twisted, keeping the cape in view until the very last second.  It seemed to be beckoning to her.  "I'm waiting for you," she imagined she heard.  Everyday the same thing, except -  each day the cape changed its' color.

Kylin lived only a block away from that store and the beautiful cape.  An unsure, shy nine year old with long straight blond hair, blue eyes and a charming smile, she would often just stand at the store window dreamily wishing the cape belonged to her.  She knew somehow it was meant for only her, but money was tight at home and there with no chance of it ever being hers.

One sunny, warm Spring day as she stood there wishing, she became aware of someone standing beside her.

 

"What  a beautiful blue cape", the woman said. 

"Oh yes," Kylin replied.  

Somewhat old looking to Kylin, she figured the woman was probably in her fifties.  She took in her piercing green eyes and the mop of curly red hair plopped on the top of her head, with a shocking pink ribbon weaved through it to keep it from tumbling in her face.  She was dressed funny - kind of like pictures Kylin had seen in a book she read long ago about gypsies.


"I believe it's magic too," Kylin added.

 "Is it now?"     


"Yes, it's true - yesterday it was yellow.  The first time I saw it, it was red and sometimes it's blue, green or purple.  At times it talks to me too, I hear it in my head."


"My goodness, what does it have to say?"  The woman asked.

"Things like, 'I belong with you,' or 'Please take me with you.'  Things like that."


The unusual looking woman smiled strangely at her.  "Someday it will be yours " she said.  "I'm certain of it."

"Oh dear me," the strange woman said.   "My time is up - I must leave at once."  She then hurried  on her way singing to herself as she disappeared around the corner.


Two days later, Kylin walked to the town library to return two books due back that day - "Blackfeet Indian Stories" and "Are You There God, It's Me, Margaret".  Mrs. Potts the librarian, who knew her well from her many treks there, called her over to the counter.  

"This package was delivered here for you.  Someone must know you're a regular visitor."  Kylin thanked her and went off to a corner of the children's section to open her unexpected package.  To her shock and delight, folded neatly inside, lay the beautiful magical cape.  She searched for a note, but found none.  Then, with shaking hands, removed it gently from the box. 


As she positioned it around her shoulders, she had the feeling it was hugging her, and at the same time experienced an "I can do anything" belief in herself, wiping out the many self doubts she always carried with her.       With her package in hand, Kylin left the library and hurried to the Second Hand store.   She had no idea who could have possibly sent it.   She hoped that it hadn't been stolen.  Yet, there was that strange woman.

At the store, Kylin approached the short, round shaped, happy faced owner, Belinda.   Belinda claimed that  she had never before seen the cape and was certain it had never been in her window.  Kylin was mystified. 

 They discussed the cape for some time when she became conscious of  Belinda staring at her. "You know," she said.   In some ways you remind me of my sister.  She was quite a character. Your smile is so like hers when she about your age.   Her name was Clarice, and this store was her joy.  Belinda pulled out a finger worn picture of her.   "I realize that she's an adult woman here, but that sweet loving smile never changed over the years."

 Kylin looked at the picture, but couldn't believe her eyes.  It was the funny looking woman standing beside her at the window that day.

 When Kylin was able to find her voice again, she asked, "Where is your sister now?"

 "It's a said story," Belinda sighed.  "Clarice loved to make children happy, no matter the cost to her.  Most of all she was able to make each child feel special.   That day she was strolling down the road singing her favorite tune and throwing out candy from her multi colored pouch to the children following her.   They were all , singing along with her and laughing at her comical antics.  Her eyes were on the happy children - not the road in front of her.  She tripped over a brick lying in her path, falling backward and hitting her head.  .  She slept for two days, but before her spirit began its journey, she awoke for a short while.  She gave the gift of Second Hand Treasures to me, and with fire in her eyes swore that she would never leave the children - ever."

 As Kylin listened to Clarice's story, she became aware of a faint melody in the background.  It was the same tune she heard the woman singing as she walked away that day. 

She thanked Belinda and left the store pulling the cape tightly around her.   Absentmindedly Kylin placed her hand into the left pocket and out came a pouch containing all the colors of her beautiful cape.    

 "Thank-you Clarice," she whispered.  

Talismanic:   Anything whose presence exercises a remarkable or powerful influence on human                                feelings or actions.