Celeste (Gemini 1)

"This one is for Noble," Mommy told Mr. Bogart.

"All yes, the Krona,'' he said, opening the back of the case and reaching for a round gold pendant. On it was a design that looked like a worm with arms and legs in the process of running. That was exactly what Noble thought, too.

"A worm?" he said.

"No. no," Mr. Bogart said. smiling. "It isn't a worm, young man. This is a powerful talisman." He looked up at Daddy, who was glaring down at the amulet, "The Krena activates psychic powers," he said.

"What does that mean?" I asked softly, and he looked at me and smiled warmly.

"It helps you focus yourself on your wishes, makes your dreams come true. Everyone has psychic powers, but most of us never use them," he said, lifting his eyes a little toward Daddy, who was embracing himself harder. The veins in his neck were becoming prominent. "The Krena absorbs the energy within your aura and focuses it on the wish of your choice."

"What?" Daddy asked grimacing. "More gobbledy-gook magic?"

Mr. Bogart looked at us and then at Mommy. "You haven't told them about this. Sarah?"

"I- wanted them to see it and hear it from you. Mr. Bogart," she said. and Mr. Bogart smiled.

He handed the pendant and chain to Mommy, and she turned to Noble, keeping her eves diverted from Daddy and stepping between him and Noble.

"You need this. Noble. I want you to wear it always. Never, ever take it off. understand?"

He looked up at Mr. Bogart. "It's a worm," he said firmly.

"No, it's not, but you will understand what it is later. I'm sure of that," Mommy said, and she put it around his neck and fixed the clatch.

He looked down at it and then at me.

"What about Celeste?" he asked, now more intrigued with what I would be getting. So was I. For a long moment. I thought Mommy had decided to buy only Noble something. I was practically in tears already.

Mommy turned to Mr. Bogart, and then she pointed to another.

"Yes, yes," he said, reaching in.

He took out one that had a seven-pointed star with a small diamond at the center.

Mr. Bogart held it in his palm before me. The diamond had a tiny glitter in the light, which made me happy.

"This is the Mystic Star," he said. "The seven points radiate a mysterious and intense energy said to bestow the seven treasures of the kings-- wealth, happiness, love, luck, wisdom, respect, and glory." He pointed to each point as he enumerated the treasures.

Mommy took the pendant from him and put it around my neck.

"It is said you often feel the energy the moment you wear it," Mr. Bogart told me.

I did feel something, a warmth, and I looked up quickly at Mommy, who smiled.

"Hocus-pocus," Daddy muttered. "I can't believe you're doing this. Sarah."

He hurled away.

"One more," Mommy told Mr. Bogart. She looked into the case again and pointed to a necklace that held an unusual- looking stone.

"What is that. Mommy?" I asked her.

"It s amethyst," she said, "A semiprecious gem."

Mr. Bogart brought it out. The gem was held in a gold case and on a gold chain.

"I want you to wear this. Arthur," she told Daddy. "What?"