4 Sisters of the Apocalypse

27- Amy

Amy

As I entered the back door of my new home I could hear the television blasting. Why do Boomers have the TV on 24/7? "Hello... Aunt Catherine? Uncle Jerry?"  Instead of hearing the familiar dun dun dun... from Law and Order SVU I heard Fox Newscasters talking about a coming pandemic.

"It may have started in a market place in Wuhan China where they sold bats for food."

"That's disgusting! I need some coffee. You want a cup Jer?" As Aunt Catherine bustled into the kitchen she saw me. "Oh hello doll. You're home early. No cheerio practice today?" She busied herself making a pot of percolated coffee. "You want a cup? It's no trouble. I've got Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies to go with."

I kissed Aunt Catherine on the cheek. "No thanks. I think I'll take a little nap before dinner."

"Oh that's a good idea. A pretty young girl like yourself needs her beauty rest. I hope you're hungry cuz we're having pork butt for dinnah."

"I'd prefer a salad. A Greek salad. Would that be ok?"

"For you darling--anything." Aunt Catherine cocked her head in a strange way. "Could I make something special for dessert? Maybe an apple pie from scratch?"

I scratched my head and tried something. "Um... I'm not really fond of apple pie but I'd prefer tiramisu."  Since tiramisu is one of the most difficult desserts to make I wanted to test my hunch."

Aunt Catherine's tired brown eyes lit up. "Of course! I'll run out to the Italian Store for some mascarpone cheese and ladyfingers. I'll be back in a flash doll."

"Oh no!" I thought to myself. "It's happening again. I promised mom I wouldn't wrap myself around people's little fingers. That's too long... I'll call it, "I'd prefer...'"

I silently promised mom I'd not use this special gift on poor Aunt Catherine. After my Greek salad and Tiramisu that is.  I laughed to myself. "A special gift? Asking for things. How silly. I can't help it if people like me and wanna please me... " Then I remembered something that happened during childhood. It was Christmas morning...

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"Why did Bethy get a Malibu Barbie Dream House and all I got were these stupid Bratz Dolls?"

Mom corrected. "Don't be ungrateful Amy. It's what you asked for. Look at all the pretty clothes that came with your dolls." She held up a pink glittery gown and matching high heels.

"It's not fair! Bethy's present is much bigger and better!" I threw my dolls onto the sofa. Jealousy filled my heart as I walked over to Beth. "Wow... that's some present."

Innocently she replied, "It sure is. You can play with it whenever you want."

"I'd prefer... the dollhouse were mine and you can play with it whenever you want."

"Okay." Beth smiled sweetly and moved over to give me room.

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Even at 8 years young I felt deep pangs of guilt. I had used this ability at school to get the front seat or a special pen that changed colors and smelled like fruit. I always assumed people gave me things because I was popular and pretty but now...

I yelled out loud, "I'M A MONSTER!"

Uncle Jerry came hobbling over. He had a bad knee. "What's wrong, sugar?"

"Aunt Catherine left to buy the ingredients to make me homemade Tiramisu." I started bawling.

"Yes, she said it's your favorite. After losing your mom she just wants to make you happy." Uncle Jerry pulled me into a bear hug.

I sobbed even louder, "That's so nice! And I'm so rotten!" I pulled away and ran up the stairs to my kitty sanctuary and cried my eyes out.

Uncle Jerry looked at me as I ran away and slammed the bedroom door. "Teenagers." He shook his head and continued watching CNN. The newscasters were going on and on about Covid 19 being the pandemic to end all pandemics. He quickly forgot my teenage angst.

After I calmed down I opened another random mom journal. This cover had raised peacock feathers all over it. I ran my fingers over the glossy teal and purple bumps then opened the journal.

Dear Future Reader,

Aren't peacock feathers amazing? Each one looks like an ornate blue eye. You have blue eyes Amy.

Yes mom, I do but how'd you know I'd have this journal?

You are fearfully and wonderfully made and as pretty as a peacock. Sometimes you strut your stuff a bit too much just like a peacock in full regalia! (Sorry, I'm not trying to throw shade as the kids say... ) You do have a lot to strut about. You're gorgeous, you're so fit. I mean to be able to do three backflips in a row? Come on!  You have more personality than you know what to do with!

True.... Mom, get to the point!

The point is be careful with your power of persuasion.

Huh?

It's real Amy. You may have forgotten but when you were eight you promised me you'd stop saying, "I'd prefer..." It caused a lot of family drama. At first it was sorta cute. Your daddy would always say, "Amy's sure has me wrapped around her little finger." Remember when daddy used all of our savings and we went to France that summer? Well it's because when we told you we were going to Disney World but you said, "I'd prefer to go to Paris..."

We had a great vacation--or at least I know you did. You wore a bright blue beret and practiced your french at every cafe. When your sisters grumbled about missing Disney World you said, "Mother I'd prefer they'd stop complaining." Immediately they did. We all went along with your plans but I caught on.

Do you remember me pulling you aside at the Eiffel Tower? I forbid you to use the words, "I'd prefer." You opened your mouth to object. You were about to say, "I prefer you didn't tell me what to do," but I clamped your mouth shut and said, "Don't you dare young lady. This is manipulative and unChristlike. I'm praying for you, got it?"

With my hand over your mouth and your peacock blue eyes wild you nodded "yes." That was the last time you used the phrase, "I'd prefer..." Oh you could say, "I'd rather not," or "Let's do this or that..." and sometimes we'd agree other times we wouldn't. That's as it should be.

If you ever get into a bind. I mean a real bind and need to use your "pillaging powers," as I've come to call them. Pray first. Prefer second.

Do you know why I refer to your gifting as "pillaging powers?"  Do you remember the part in the bible where the Israelites are escaping the Egyptians? After the 10th plague and before their narrowing escape through The Red Sea Almighty God granted the Israelites "pillaging powers." Whatever they ask from their Egypian neighbors they were given. Jewelry, gold, silver, clothing, livestock. Gpd allowed this ability so they would have what they needed in The Promised Land.

You have been granted the same gift only; it's not for your neighbor's lip gloss or a DS game. It's for a special purpose to be used in The End Times.

The End Times? Mom why are you being so dramatic even after you're gone? I mean you've always had a way with words but this!

Amy, I'm not merely predicting the future, as you girls call it, this is serious. I've prayed and prayed you girls would be ready when the time came. God rarely answers us in the way we expect.

So you're saying my, "pillaging powers' are from God?

You have these pillaging powers... Perhaps a nicer way to put it would be, "You have because you ask." Jesus said that didn't he? "You have not because you ask not." Well you, Amy, have been given the gift of both asking and receiving.

You're sister's, on the other hand each have a unique gift... Meg for instance...

Oh your father is calling. Gotta go! More later.

"Mom!" I flipped through the pages but couldn't find a list of my sisters giftings. "Don't leave me hanging here!"

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