Sapphire Jewel

“You’re not a bird,” Mona’s sibling admonished, “stop jumping out of trees and trying to fly.” Eight year old Mona whimpered as a fresh bag of ice was placed on her sprained ankle. “I declare you Sapphire Jewel - not Mona, not a bird, but a very powerful witch.” Mona stopped moaning. She became Sapphire Jewel and her only sib became Amethyst Jewel.

While Sapphire convalesced, Amethyst boiled an old bedsheet in black dye, dried it, then sewed it into a cape for Sapphire. Amethyst then found an ancient broom in the secondhand store where the two liked to shop for costumes.

“This isn’t a flying broom, Sapphire, not yet. It's just for protection.”

One night, ankle healed and parents out, the dual Jewels opened the trunk at the back of Sapphire’s closet and dressed up in their vintage finds: dresses, stoles, shoes, jewelry.

But, their parents came home early. Frowning, while pouring himself a glass of whiskey, their dad ordered Amethyst to get changed.

“But we're playing dress up,” the younger child protested. Before she could say another word, their father hit the teen. As bright red blood spilled onto Amethyst’s ivory satin gown, their dad yelled: "No son of mine…!" Then abruptly left the room.

Sapphire brought ice for Amethyst's swelling nose.

The next day Amethyst was gone. Sapphire put the bloodied dress into the trunk then got her cape and broom out. Standing on the carport roof, a wind arrived with a magical force and in a split second Sapphire was airborne. Her exhilaration grew with the height of her ascent and the knowledge of the power she now fully possessed.

She would be with Amethyst again and by the strength of her superpowers, her sister’s true self would be revealed, revered and celebrated.