A Gypsy woman.

chapter four

Chapter four

It has been two days since I spoke with Dee. Two days spent doing much of nothing, except waiting around for Emilian.

I don’t know what’s taken him so long! All he had to do was relate a message to a nearby camp! It shouldn’t have taken him this long!  And I’ve been worn with worry!

I’ve been busying myself as best I can with my aunt Eva, I’ve been weaving baskets, and stringing beaded necklaces and head bands for the men and old women to sell at our camp door.

This is the only honest work we do. And the only thing women are allowed to sell. Trinkets and fortunes that’s our lot. But I’m not meant for that either! I’m a good con! And a great thief but I’ve been trying not to dwell on that!

Hence the rows and rows of beads I’ve been threading.

As payment though Aunt Eva made me a charm necklace, with black and gold beads running down the length, and a shimmering golden stone with an outline of a bird etched in the middle.

It’s expensive to make and she says the charm means freedom. She sees what’s in my heart and the sentiment behind this gesture brings me to tears.

I take it and immediately put it around my neck, hugging her tight as soon as it’s tied.

“Thank You!” I whisper into her shoulder.

She smiles her old toothy smile and hangs on to me tight.

“You are a bird my dear! You will find your freedom some day! But make sure I’m dead first!” she says ruining the sentimental moment we had shared with a vulgar joke.

I bark out a laugh and wipe the tears away with the back of my hand, sniffling while I chuckle.

“We both know you will never die! It’s not a practical use of time now is it?” I mock making her give me a stern look I know is for show.

She relents and gives me a quick grin, before barking an order to get back to beading!

By the end of the day my hands are sore from all the needle pricks I’d given myself on the finger tips. All I really want to do is go to my little tent and rest.

But as I walk through the dark shadows of the lane. Where children sleep and adults rest the night away. I spot my tent eliminated by a dim Firelight. There is a man standing by my door and I squint hard to see who it is. I start to worry. Could Dee have found me a husband already? No he wouldn’t send him at night to my tent, that would be inappropriate were gypsies but we still have proper and improper views on the way men and unmarried women interact!

When I’m finally close enough to see his face I let out a wild squeal his way.

“Lian!” I screech gaining myself several angry shouts asking me so kindly to “Shut up out there” as I run for him.

I jump at him nearly pushing him over! I inhale the scent of him, he smells like jasmine and fire smoke. My arms wrap around his neck as I hold on to him, breathing him in!

“You’re not allowed to leave anymore!” I mumble into his vest.  He laughs at this a deep throated man laugh.

“Missed me did you?” he asks as I pull away to look him in the eye.

I pull back and put my hands on my hips. “Of course you’ve been gone for nearly five days!” I almost yell. He lifts a finger shushing me and ushering me out of the lane of sleeping people.

 He walks me back to where the bon-fire lays far enough to talk openly. And stands before me looking like a guilty puppy. With wide eyes, he smiles slyly down at me. it makes my heart warm to see that smile again!