Free Black Opal by Sandra Cox

felt a light touch of glam and creativity flow over her. She stepped back. “Will you stop?”
    “It never hurts to look one’s best or have the creativity juices flowing. The amulet helps the thought process. I can’t calm you like Maureen does, sugar but I can help you think. If you’re having second thoughts, go out there and tell him you’re tired and want to call it a night then remove the wineglass.”
    ”Good point.” Splaying her fingers, Sabina raked them through her hair. She weighed her options as Bella stood waiting.
    Coming to a decision, Sabina throttled her conscious into submission. “It’s underhanded and devious but we still don’t know which side of the fence he’s sitting on. Our original plan stands.”
    “That a girl, sugar.” Bella winked at her.
    They walked back into the living room. Adam sat slumped on the couch, his breathing heavy and even, the wineglass sitting empty on the coffee table. For a moment, Sabina just stared at the rise and fall of his chest then gave herself a mental shake. They needed to be out and back before he woke up.
    Sabina shifted her gaze to Bella.
    Bella cocked an eyebrow and tilted her head. “Looks like that decision was made for you.”
    “Appears so.” She didn’t know whether she felt disappointed or relieved. “Give me half a sec to put on my shoes,” she whispered then hurried in the bedroom, threw on black tennies and hurried back out.
    “Where are we going?”
    “Let’s head down the street for the less populated area of town. Victoria will be watching for us.” Sabina kept her voice low so as not to wake their guest. She cast one last look at Adam, his head slumped forward, his thick dark hair falling on his forehead then slipped out the door, Bella at her heels.
    Once outside, they turned right. Since it was a weeknight there was little traffic. The night had just enough chill in the air to be pleasant, foretelling fall. A faint scent of exhaust from an occasional car or taxi lingered. No stars were in sight. The night was as black as pitch. The only light was a faint yellowish glow from the occasional street lamp.
    They walked for several blocks. The buildings lost their sleek appearance of prosperity which was replaced by a feeling of neglect. The scent of urine and decay became more pervasive.
    “Did you get hold of Johnny?” Sabina asked, looking around, trying to pierce the pockets of darkness in the alleyways as she walked.
    “Nope, just got the answering machine.”
    As they passed a dumpster, Sabina heard a plaintive mewing. She stopped listening.
    Bella quivered like a pointer scenting a duck, then dived for the dumpster.
    “Bella wait. Let me help you. You’ll get filthy.”
    If Bella heard, she gave no sign. The elegant diva lifted the lid of the black smelly dumpster then leaned over it and began rooting through the garbage. “Where are you, snookums?” she crooned.
    A pitiful cry came in response.
    Standing on her toes, Bella leaned over and pulled out a tiny limp kitten. She began to cry. “It’s dead.”
    Sabina could have sworn her own heart wept but she wasn’t sure if it was for the little lifeless body Bella cradled against her breast, or for her friend who stood in front of her with tears streaming down her beautiful cheeks, for once uncaring about her looks. It was so out of character for the stalwart Bella that it rocked Sabina to her toes.
    “Who could do such a cruel thing,” Bella sobbed. “Throwing a little bundle of life out in the garbage?”
    The mewing came again.
    Both women looked at the limp body and then at the dumpster.
    Bella laid the kitten gently on the ground then dived back in.
    Sabina bent down and tried to find a pulse but the little body felt lifeless and cold.
    “Got it,” Bella said her voice muffled.
    Sabina straightened the motionless bundle in her hand. “Bella.”
    Bella backed out of the dumpster. “It’s like finding Puss-Puss all over again,” Bella said referring to the