It all started when the gypsy visited our door to sell his wares. They did that back then. I remember in Prague I saw a gypsy with a little monkey on his shoulder. The monkey smelled of death. My sweet little mother turned the gypsy away. She always said that gypsies were a bad sort of people. I do agree. If that messenger of death hadn't come to our door, I wouldn't be where I am now…my Angel wouldn't have taken a fancy to me all those years ago. Oooh, Angel was such a naughty boy back then. You know, I think I remember hating him then. But he made it up to me afterwards. I always said that Angel knows what speaks to a girl's heart. Those gypsies have done it again. I can feel it in my blood. The bad gypsies have taken him away from me again. My Angel. Miss Edith says I'm to see him again once I've taken my medicine. Goody.
I was a very little girl then. I didn't know what was to come later. When mummy wasn't looking, I ran out after the peddler and trailed him down the dingy hallway in my tenement building. He looked back at me once, then kept walking to the stairs. Then he stopped and turned around again for a better look. I shyly walked up to him as he squatted to meet me.
"Hello, little one," he said.
I stood looking at him. I guess a kitty had got my tongue. I couldn't say a word. He reached out his grimy hand to tilt my chin upwards. My eyes met his. What a deep gaze he had. I think he looked into my soul then, that man did. What a nice trick. I learned it later. Miss Edith was very proud.
Finally, he spoke. "Such old eyes for such a little girl. Would you like a present, little one?"
I smiled. I've always loved a good present.
"This is no ordinary present, little one. You've already got a gift, did you know that?"
"I've got a gift? But who shall I give my gift to?" I asked.
"Everybody, if you use it right."
"I didn't know I had a gift. What is it?"
"It's not something you can see. It's a gift of knowing what is to pass. It's odd to find such a generous gift in such a little girl. You must be careful not to waste it, little one. God knows that it would be wasted easily enough in a family like your own, without a teacher, someone to bring that gift out," he said. "I'm going to give you a gift of my own." He pulled a doll out of his bag of wares and handed it to me. She was lovely. I took it and cradled it in my arms.
"Those who follow your path often feel lonely living with their terrible knowledge. Let the doll be your confidante. You can tell her the things you see, and she will never call you the child of a Devil. Do you like her?"
"She speaks to me," I said, lifting the doll to my ear. "Miss Edith says we're to have such fine times together, me and her."
He rose, nodding, and walked away. I stood there, holding Miss Edith and watched him walk down the stairs. Then I was shocked as my daddy grabbed my arm from behind and jerked me around.
"Were you talking with that heathen, Drusilla?" he demanded.
I cowered from him, and he slapped me across the face. Why did he want to make me cry? I like to lick the tears off the face of a little girl before I sink my teeth into her neck. Tears taste salty like blood. Mmmm.
"If you fancy that my touch hurts, wait till you feel the strong arm of God. Allowing that infidel to seduce you to his evil ways! I wouldn't be surprised if the Lord consigned you to the fiery pits and endless torments of hell for this offense!"
"I'll behave myself, daddy. I'll try to be a good little girl, I promise. I'll go straight to confession tomorrow morning," I cried, as he took me into our apartment for a whipping. He could be so hurtful.
But afterwards, he would sit me on his lap and he would tell me I was his little princess. Then mummy would make me something good to eat. She was always cooking. And daddy called her his little Anne, and he would spin her around when he was happy. We had good times together, mummy, daddy, Miss Edith, and me.
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