Kierra never felt so conflicted in her life.

“Maybe it is a just coincidence. Emails can be scheduled,” she thought as she held up the necklace. “There is no way it actually worked.”

She put it down and reread the email again.

TO: Kierra.Bryne@gmail.com

FROM: cgreen@greenandassociates.com

SUBJECT: Re: Submission

DATE: 04-15-2020

Ms. Bryne,
Thanks for your submission. I really enjoyed your manuscript and would like to move forward. At this stage, we are interested in discussing some modifications and beginning the publishing negotiation process. Before we can make any decisions, we’ll need to come to an agreement on final editing, terms, and numbers.

Can we schedule a time to discuss your work in more detail next Thursday?

Best,
Corine Green

For years, Kierra has dreamed of becoming one of Green’s clients. She felt like she didn’t have what takes. She was a bit terrified about letting her down.

“I can’t imagine how nervous you are. You have wanted this forever though,” her best friend Nichole said when she told her the news. “You wouldn’t have received this email if she didn’t see potential in you.”

Even though Nichole was right, she couldn’t stop thinking about whether she would’ve received the email if she didn’t use the necklace.

“Would I still have the same old luck? Was it really good luck?” she pondered. “Should I try again? Would I have to deal with consequences?”

She shook her head and put the necklace in the drawer.

“Don’t be crazy like your grandma,” she mumbled.

She opened her laptop to reply to the email and prepared for the meeting.

Fifteen minutes later

“Noooo… Nooo… Seriously?!”

Kierra fumed with aggravation as she tried to release the jammed printer paper. The ink quickly blackened her fingers and fingertips.

“Come on! Come on! Fuck!”

She cut her right index finger trying to open the printer. She slid to the ground with tears rolling down her face. She turned to the drawer as her grandma’s words ran through her head: If you do everything in good faith and love, it will grant you good luck and good fortune. Remember to respect its power.

Kierra stood up and wiped her hands. She hesitated a bit before grabbing the necklace to put it on.

“Won’t hurt to try…”

She hooked the chain and tapped the pendant twice.

“Please help me get the printer working properly again.”

She waited a few minutes and tried pulling paper again.

“Woah…”

The crumbled paper slid out in one piece, and the printer stopped its humming right after. Kierra smiled at the pendant.

“Lucky me,” she giggled. “I have something that could make my life simpler. Why not enjoy it?”

She grabbed her phone and dialed Nichole’s number.

“Hey. Nothing from my wardrobe screams future best-selling author. Wanna go hit a couple of stores and get pedicures with me later?”

“Of course. I would love to. Have you checked the weather though?” Nichole answered. “Looks like a bad storm is coming.”

“Nah. Storms can always change direction.” Kierra snickered as she fiddled with the necklace. “Just need to have a little faith.”

“Guess you were right about the weather… No rain cloud in sight,” Nichole said as she walked up to Kierra by the entrance to one of their favorite thrift shops that has the best designer finds.

“Trust your best friend. Not the weatherman,” Kierra winked.

“Ha. Always.” Nichole smiled. “Let’s go find you the perfect outfit.”

Nichole was a petite, dark-complected young woman with a sing-song voice and colorful arm tattoos.

They went through the first set of racks and found nothing appealing.

“I wish I could find a cute professional looking jumpsuit,” Kierra said as she discreetly tapped the necklace.

“Oh my God… Guess what I just found,” Nichole exclaimed as she pulled a bold navy and pink Micheal Kors jumpsuit with a maxi silhouette from the rack.

“No way. Must be my lucky day,” Kierra smirked.

“Looks like you had a fun day,” Marco said when Kierra walked in with a handful shopping bags.

“Oh, I had a fabulous day because of this fabulous necklace,” she replied as she put the bags down. “You would not believe….”

“Wait. So you really think the necklace is actually magical?” Marco interrupted.

Kierra nodded.

“I know it sounds crazy…”

Marco walked up to her and gently put his hand on her cheek.

“I believe you. I just don’t want you get hooked on altering reality every time things don’t go your way.”

Kierra threw her arms around his neck and looked him in the eyes.

“Don’t worry. I won’t let it change who I am. I promise.”

Featured image by Prettysleepy, courtesy of Pixabay