The Cameo

It was one of those sweltering mid-summer afternoons. The salt air from the marshes hung thick in the air along with the buzzing of tourists in the usually quiet seaside town of Essex.
The two lovers followed one another on the coastal route in their convertibles----one German and one British. The cars of course, not the lovers. The lovers were only clandestine as all lovers are. Typically, she was younger and he was older by more than a decade.
The coastal route they followed was dotted with galleries and antique dealers. He was driving ahead of her so she spotted him pull his car into one of the lots. It was a huge white and gray building simply called Main St. Antiques. To collectors in the know, it was the place to purchase estate jewels of all kinds for fair price.
Today he wanted to buy her a gift.
The two lovers made their way into the shop and all eyes fell upon them. They were a striking couple in a unique way besides the obvious age difference. She was petite and curvy in ways that made all men notice with big blue eyes and full red lips. He was a tall man with brown wavy hair, deep brown eyes and a mustache that went out of favor two decades before. In his youth, he was often told he looked like an actor.

Her eyes settled on a stunning, delicate cameo. It was engraved with the head of a woman she felt resembled herself. It was agate and not shell like many cameos were which made her want it more. Tiny ivory carved flowers adorned the feminine head and hands. It was a tiny masterpiece. He bought it for her.
For years she'd wear it. Sometimes as a brooch, sometimes threaded with a fine ribbon around her neck like choker. Like a talisman. It would garner attention whenever she wore it.

More jewels would follow in the duration of the affair. A sapphire ring, a Peruzzi silver cuff. More brooches.
Each with a different victorious meaning.

Until one hot sweltering summer day, when the salt from the marshes hung thick in the air and the still young woman made her way into that same shop......a blond headed curly haired toddler in tow....hoping the owner would buy them all back. He did and for next to nothing. It made no difference to the young woman. She was relieved to be rid of the small plastic sandwich bag she'd stuffed with his empty gifts.....and promises.



CJ Ellis