The Hag Stone

The beach was chilly, the wind blew sand and an icy spray on shore. Maggie pulled her scarf up to partially cover her face. It seemed like a crazy day for a beach walk, but she knew it was excellent sea glass weather. Her coat pockets were jingling with bits of polished glass.

A wave tossed a glistening stone up onto her rubber boot. She picked it up, delighted to find it was a hag stone.

“Ooooh, maybe this time I’ll really see my future when I look through the hole,” Maggie said to herself.

Her friends didn’t have much interest in her collection of glass, sticks and stones from the beach, especially her obsession with hag stones. Admittedly, Maggie had never really seen anything through one, a glimmer sometimes that faded before she could understand it.

Facing the sea, she held it up to her eye. She saw a huge cruise ship crossing a turquoise ocean. She lowered the stone, there was no ship there.

She looked through the stone again and the cruise ship was closer. She could see herself waving from the top deck with a glass of champagne in her hand.

Maggie was in overjoyed. A cruise had been a desire of hers since she was a little girl. Now the hag stone predicted it in her future.

Maggie saw a man beside her, refilling her glass. He put the bottle down and tapped his glass to hers, then enveloped her in his arms. They shared a long kiss, her hand brushed his dark hair. A wedding ring sparkled on her hand.

Maggie was stunned, she didn’t know this man. She didn’t look older than she was now. Logically she couldn’t meet and marry a dark stranger when she barely left her home except for groceries and her beach walks, but she’d seen it!

It was rainy lightly and Maggie was cold standing on the shore. She put the hag stone in her pocket and started the long walk back to the path home. She still picked up sea glass as she spotted them.

While she was bending down searching for more sea glass, she didn’t notice the man walking his dog off leash until the dog was nose to nose with her. Maggie shrieked and bolted upright. The man apologized and leashed the dog.

Maggie laughed, “It’s okay, I was not expecting it, but your dog is adorable.”

The man introduced himself, “I’m Andrew, this is Ranger, can we make it up to you by buying you a hot buttered rum at my hotel’s patio? They have a toasty fire going.”

Maggie looked up at his dark hair and warm smile. She felt faint. This was the man she saw through the hag stone.

She replied, “I guess so?”

Andrew laughed, “Well, that’s not too enthusiastic, but I’ll grow on you!, Come on let’s go get warm! Ranger will snuggle with you, unless you’d prefer me?”

Maggie paused, “Ranger looks a little fuzzier, so I think he’s the best choice.”

They walked up the path to town, sea glass tinkling in Maggie’s pockets.

“How much glass do you have in those pockets? You sound like a wind chime.”

“It was a good haul tonight, worth the damp and the chill. Very interesting night so far.”

“I’m sure we can make it more interesting after a few hot buttered rums!” Andrew winked.

Maggie smiled, but she was starting to question the sudden appearance of her dream man. However, she had seen him through the hag stone, so it had to be fate.

They settled on a cozy wicker love seat with red plaid blankets. Ranger as promised snuggled up to her. Andrew squeezed in beside the dog.

The drink was strong and warm, Maggie sipped at first while it was hot, but it was so tasty her cup was soon emptied.

Andrew got up took her cup and said, “I’ll be right back with refills.”

When he returned he put the drinks down and pulled a couple dog treats out of his pocket. Ranger jumped down and sat for the treats. Andrew eased himself into the spot Ranger vacated.

Maggie said, “That’s pretty tricky but you’re not nearly as warm as your dog.”

Andrew replied, “I promise I can get you warmer!” He clinked his mug to hers and knocked his back. “Drink up girl, it will warm your bones.”

He leaned over and kissed her, Maggie felt a tingle through her body but it wasn’t comfortable, it felt more like a fight or flight adrenaline rush.

Andrew leaned in for another kiss, she resisted and quickly stood up startling Ranger.

“Andrew, I’m sorry but I feel like I need another walk, you can come with me or stay where it’s warm.”

Frustrated, Andrew stood up and followed her, Ranger padded by his side. They walked back down the path to the beach. The full Beaver moon lit the beach softly.

Andrew put his arms around her and said, “Now you need to keep me warm, it’s chilly. What do you suggest we do to keep warm?”

Maggie slipped out of his arms. “Excuse me a minute, I have a little ritual I need to do.” She walked a few feet down the beach.

Andrew was upset, he yelled, “What ritual? Don’t be silly, let’s go to my room where we can really get warm.”

Maggie pulled the hag stone out of her pocket, pointed it to the moonlight and looked through it.

She saw the same cruise ship, Andrew stood beside her, but his eyes were dark and angry. She saw him lift her above the deck railing. She felt the terror of falling into the ocean.

“No!” She screamed and hurled the hag stone back into the water. The splash was illuminated by the moon.

Maggie turned and Andrew was no longer there. He had vanished. Ranger stood looking a bit bewildered.

Maggie laughed, “Well Ranger, I guess you’re the man of my dreams. Let’s go home and snuggle!”