Chapter 15 – Seasons

Amethyst

December 2006

"Is it true they make it so that you can't get a perfect score on the SATs?" Amethyst asked her sister as she came into the kitchen.

"I wouldn't know. I never took them." Jasper opened the refrigerator and pulled out two bottles of water. "I got a really high score on the ASVAB though."

"What's that?"

Peridot pushed her glasses up. "It's the intelligence test you have to pass to join the military."

"How do you know?" Amethyst looked over at her across their books and papers scattered over the kitchen table.

"I-I might've met with one of the…recruiting officers."

Amethyst's mouth hung open for a second. "Are you crazy? You? In the military?"

"It's just an idea. I haven't decided on anything yet." Peridot shrugged. "I have to get scholarships for college and the military pays for college."

"You told me to slap you if you ever thought about it? You want me to slap you?"

"Be reasonable," Penina butted in from the sink where she was washing dishes. "You don't want to risk your life just to go to college. You're smart – you'll get a scholarship."

"Which branch?" Jasper asked. There was a moment of silence while Peridot gave her a look. "Which branch did you talk to?"

"The Navy. It…it seems like a good fit and I'd have the opportunity…to-to see the world and…serve my country and…and then I could go to college."

Jasper took a swig of water. "Talk to the Air Force too. You'd do well there or in the Navy. Either of those branches are not as dangerous or physically demanding as the Army or Marines. The money for college won't be as good, but you won't be in direct combat, especially depending on what you choose for your specialty. You may not even be near combat – I have a friend in the Air Force who's in England."

"Don't you always shit on the Air Force?" Amethyst asked.

Her mother whirled around. "Amethyst, language!"

Jasper gave a short laugh. "There's a lot of joking and playful teasing between the branches, but we depend on them and they depend on us." She gave Peridot a playful punch on the arm. "If you have any questions, just ask."

Peridot watched as she left and then rubbed her arm. "Ow."

"You need to think long and hard about this decision." Penina drained the sink and wiped her hands on a towel. "College is definitely safer and you have many opportunities. I wish I had gone to college."

"You didn't? For nursing?"

"In the seventies, we learned on the job – I've taken some continuing education, but I don't have a degree. If I'd been able to go, maybe I could have been a doctor." Penina wiped the counter. "Fetuao went to college and he makes more than me. You're really smart, Peridot. You could go to college and get a PhD and have a really good job. Why do you want to be on a boat with a bunch of men?"

Amethyst shrugged. "Doesn't sound bad to me. Maybe I should join the Navy."

"There's a physical fitness test," Peridot pointed out.

"College it is." Amethyst tore off a piece of paper and wrote 'don't ask, don't tell' on it, sliding it discreetly to her friend.

Peridot took a breath before crumpling it up and speaking in a whisper. "Yeah…there's that too."

After they were done studying, they went up to Amethyst's room where her friend immediately sat at the desk. Amethyst took a moment to look at the picture on her board.

"You miss her, don't you?" Peridot asked.

"Yeah, I think I always will. I'm still meeting with Flo every week because it's hard going to group without Roselyn." Amethyst sat on the bed and fiddled with her bracelet. "I still feel that anticipation, you know…that I'll see her and then she's not there. I had already thought about what I might get her for Christmas and then I think about how sad her parents will be when she's not there on Christmas." Amethyst wiped tears away. "And I feel so grateful that I'm still here and I'm doing okay. I wish she could be doing okay with me."

Peridot moved next to her and hugged her. "I've never lost anyone, but I'm sorry you're feeling sad. I'm really bad at this emotional advice stuff."

"It's okay. You're here."

"You know how last month those soldiers died in Iraq? Well, I bet Jasper's lost some friends and maybe talking to her will help."

Talking with her sister lately had helped. The age gap had sometimes been hard, but now that Amethyst was getting older, she realized that her sister had wisdom to help her through some of the hard things in life, but wasn't too old that she forgot what being a teenager was like. "I should talk to her. I know my mom means well, but she was my age so long ago and in a completely different environment that some of the things I deal with she can't identify with. I talked to her about Roselyn and she did have good advice and she's been…a comfort. She said she grew up with typhoons and tsunamis sometimes…she said people went into the ocean and never came back. Women died having babies or people died from infections because they didn't have medicine. Not that it wasn't sad, but I guess it was just seen as something that happened – a part of life. And it is – you can't have life without death. I always saw it as something that happened to old people. In a first world country, it doesn't seem like it should happen to a teenager. We have doctors and hospitals and lots of food…it just doesn't seem like someone should starve to death."

"Talk to Jasper. I think she'd understand."

"You should too. I mean, I think you're crazy for even considering…but if you really want to know more about it."

Peridot nodded. "I just don't know what I'll do about…you know. I wouldn't be able to be out. I'm fine with the whole school not knowing. I kind of figured maybe I'll come out in college and be who I am. I hear it's different in college and people aren't as judge-y."

Amethyst let out a sigh. "I mean, I think you're always going to run into judge-y people, but I hear what you're saying. But, the military does have a policy about that and who knows when or if they won't."

"There's a part of me that wants to join, but another part that knows I won't be happy if I have to hide who I am forever. I mean, there was a time I thought Jasper was gay and I guess she still could be, right? She just can't say anything."

"Pretty sure she is straight." Amethyst put a hand on Peridot's shoulder. "And she's getting married soon. A couple of days ago, I came home from my dance practice and Matt was here and he was asking Dad for his permission. I thought it was so sweet. I don't know when he'll ask her, but he has my dad's blessing." She laughed a little. "My mom was sitting there and was like 'yes, you can have her – please marry her'."

"And Jasper doesn't…"

"No. God, I wish I could be a fly on the wall when he asks her. I bet it'll be romantic. I can't wait for a guy to be interested in me."

"They will be." Peridot smiled at her and leaned her head comfortingly against her shoulder.

Peridot left after a while, but it wasn't long before there was a knock on Amethyst's door frame and her sister stood in the open entrance. "Per said you wanted to talk to me."

Amethyst closed her book. "Mom told you that Roselyn died, right?"

Jasper came in and sat on the desk chair the wrong way so she was straddling the back of it. "Yeah…sorry about that."

"I thought maybe you've known someone who died. Someone close to you." Amethyst shrugged. "I mean, Mom talks about some people dying from her village, but it doesn't seem like they were close. And our grandparents were old, so that's different."

Jasper gave an understanding nod. "When I was on my last deployment, my roommate was another soldier named Ruby. Ruby Diaz. We became very close and we served in the same squad with Lacy before she got injured. They say not to get too close to anyone but people are people and we like relationships and then they tell us we're brethren in arms. And it hurts when people get transferred, reassigned, choose a different specialty or leave the service. Or sometimes, like Ruby, they die. I don't think I really realized what a good friend she was until that happened. We talked about everything – our families, what we missed about home, our fears and our ambitions. I'd hear her talking to her family on the internet when she could and it was in Spanish, so I didn't understand everything, but I could hear the love in their voices. She had a best friend back home she couldn't wait to see who always sent her care packages. One of the last days we were in the room together she gave me a package of Oreos and a bag of Cheetos from her care package and we talked about Otter Pops. I see any of those foods now and I remember Ruby."

Amethyst fingered the bracelet she wore. "I feel lucky to have this to remember Roselyn. I mean, though, you don't cry when you go into the store and see Cheetos, right?"

Jasper laughed. "No, but it did take time for me to learn to smile when I saw them and think about the good times I had with Ruby. I could dwell if I wanted to. I could stew in how unfair it is that she died so young and tragically in war. Or I could recognize that as tragic as it was, we are all prepared to make that sacrifice and she died fighting for a country her parents fought to come to…a country she believed in and loved. Ruby went to combat that night bravely knowing she might not come back, just like I suspect Roselyn went into the hospital knowing she wouldn't leave."

"Okay yeah, but your friend died for something noble. There's nothing noble about starving yourself to death."

"I'm sure you know that an eating disorder is a mental illness – you've fought one. It's hard." Jasper paused as though thinking about how to put her thoughts into words. "It's like fighting a battle. Physically no one can fight forever and I think mentally it's the same. Perhaps Roselyn had just fought too long. She gave it her best, but her strength was gone and I think she got more time because you were her friend. I mean, I didn't really know her, so I'm just going on what I saw when I briefly met her and from what you've told me."

"She wrote me a letter that she knew real friendship because of me, so I like to think maybe I did help her hang on a little longer." Amethyst smiled. "She went for tacos with us once, but she loved to drink hot tea – that was her favorite. She always looked so put together and sophisticated. I can still remember her smile."

"You made her happy. In her lonely life, she died knowing happiness. You did that. It's okay to miss her and it's okay to be sad – it's expected, but the more you focus on the happy times, the more her memory will a bright spot in your life. You'll always miss her, but eventually you'll look back on her and smile more than you cry."

"Thanks, sis." Amethyst rose from the bed and hugged Jasper.

"Anytime."

Jasper

Jasper started up the car and listened. "It's still clicking."

"You think it's the belt?" her dad asked.

"No we replaced the belt like three months ago."

"I think I see the problem."

She turned it off and went up, looking under the hood while her dad pointed out what he thought was wrong. "Ah, yeah, that makes sense. You know, with Amethyst learning to drive, she should probably learn some ins-and-outs of car maintenance herself. I mean, at least how to check the oil and change a tire."

"Yeah, I'm gonna teach her that. Of course, she'll be concerned about oil and dirt and breaking a nail." Fetuao tapped his fingers against the frame of the car. "What would you think about getting a new car?"

"Are you saying we can't fix this one? This is my baby." As she said that, her stomach flip-flopped and she reminded herself to pick up a pregnancy test on the way home.

"This car's broken down on you many times and we're fixing it more and more. I think maybe something more reliable would be nice. You may want to consider a family car for the future."

Jasper gestured to the light blue vehicle. "This was fine for our family."

"New family, new car." He wiped his hands on a rag. "You never know what the future will bring."

"Yeah, no shit." But he was right. If she was pregnant…even if she wasn't…she couldn't continue to drive a car that broke down more than her sister at a romance movie.

"What's up, Baby Girl?"

She took a deep breath. She could trust her dad. "Don't tell Mom – because she'd just get excited – there may have been a malfunction in Pago Pago and uh…I might be pregnant."

Fetuao put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. "Have you taken a test?"

"No, but I'm five days late and I'm usually like a clock."

"Well, maybe it's time to take a test. What does Matt think?"

She scoffed. "You know, I think he'd be thrilled. I just don't feel ready…it's…"

"Scary?"

"Yeah, something like that."

Her father chuckled. "You're never ready."

"That's what Lacy said."

"That's what every parent will tell you and it is scary, but it's also wonderful. And, since you're not sure, it's also hard to get pregnant. Your mom and I had trouble with both of you – we had to try so many times…"

"Please don't elaborate."

"No, no, but a doctor told us even if you try at what you think is the right time, there's only a ten percent chance that you'd conceive if you…try…once a month. So, before you start worrying, take a test and if it's positive, know that we love you and Matt loves you and we're all here to help you." He kissed her forehead. "It's going to be okay, no matter what happens."

Jasper sighed and closed the hood. "Maybe…you know, since I'll be getting a pay raise soon…maybe we could look at cars next weekend."

"Your mom will come too. We're thinking about getting a new one ourselves and letting Amethyst use the old one since she'll be driving soon. She can learn something about car payments by slowly buying it from us."

Jasper left after having dinner with her family and stopped at a pharmacy on her way home. She'd considered going to the commissary on base, but didn't want anyone she knew to see her buying a pregnancy test. She held it close to her as she went to the counter and waited in line. Her eyes scanned the candy displayed and she decided a chocolate bar sounded good. That's when she noticed the chocolate covered pretzels…sweet and salty…sold! She grabbed them.

She quickly paid and simply smiled at the cashier who told her: "I hope this turns out the way you want it."

Yeah, she hoped so too as she arrived back at the barracks and locked the door to her room. She opened the box and started reading the directions then quickly crumpled them up. "What I am doing? You pee on a stick."

Once locked in the bathroom, she did so and placed the test flat on the counter. Her heart pounded nervously as she tore some paper from the roll and wiped. A red streak glared up at her from the white paper. "Really? Well, that was seven dollars I could have saved." It also explained her sudden craving for chocolate covered pretzels.

Jasper sighed, stuck a pad to her underwear and washed her hands before glancing at the negative pregnancy test and tossing it in the trash. She grabbed her bag of pretzels and lay on her bed watching TV. Her phone dinged and she read the text from Matt: 'Any news yet?'

'Started my period – not pregnant,' she typed back.

He followed up with a text asking if she needed anything. She didn't. She put a hand on her stomach. Someday, she was going to have children. There was a part of her – a small part, but it was there – that wanted to be a mother, but that wasn't in the plans right now. She moved to the desk and opened her laptop to do some research. After an hour of reading through information, she wrote a note reminding herself to make a doctor's appointment to get an IUD.

Jasper had decided to return to the women's clinic instead of going to a military doctor. Dr. Harris was happy to see her again and explained the procedure. "I slide a tube into your cervix and push the IUD into your uterus. It's uncomfortable and you'll have cramping the rest of the day not unlike period cramps. The IUD releases hormones that stop you from ovulating and it keeps you from building such a thick uterine lining each month so if an egg does get fertilized, chances are low it will implant. Most women find their periods are shorter and lighter and some don't have one at all after six months to a year."

"That's a bonus," Jasper said with a laugh.

"When you're ready to have a family, you come in and we remove the IUD and you can start trying right away."

"How long does it take? I mean to conceive. I want kids someday."

"It really depends on your fertility and that of your partner. Some of my patients have been pregnant within a month, others it's taken up to a year. Any longer than that and there's usually an underlying issue. Now, risks are similar to any other form of birth control with the possibility of blood clots, irregular periods, spotting and the like. Also, nothing is a hundred percent effective, there's less than a one percent chance you could still get pregnant and it doesn't prevent diseases."

"Yeah, if I'm not in a relationship I'll use a condom."

"We can give you some. We'd recommend using backup the first two months. It expires after five years, so you'll need to get it replaced at that time if you're still not ready for kids."

Jasper recalled the article she'd read over a year ago now. "I'm twenty-four now, going into the 'prime age' to have them. In five years, I'll be pushing thirty."

"That's still a good age. Many of my patients are waiting until they're in their thirties and they have uneventful pregnancies and healthy babies."

It helped hearing that. She still had time…time to do all the things she wanted in her life and time to have a family.

Jasper felt a black dress was a good choice for her date with Matt that Friday night before Christmas. She'd bought one that was simple, but fit her body perfectly and looked nice. She was unsure why he wanted to take her out, but she knew she needed to talk to him and while she felt bad doing this right before Christmas, it had to be done.

"You look beautiful," Matt said as he gazed at her from across the table.

"Thank you." She smiled and looked down at her pasta. The restaurant he'd picked wasn't too fancy, but it was nice with checkered tablecloths and plenty of food for the price. It was a small place that must not have been well-known because there were only a few other couples there. It could also be that a holiday was right around the corner and people were spending time with family.

"So, your sister's dancing tomorrow?"

"Yeah, Mom's says she's been practicing like crazy." Silence surrounded them for a few moments. God, if she didn't buck up the courage now, she'd never do this. "My training ends soon and then I'll officially be promoted."

"That's good. I've been…uh…doing a little thinking about the future, too. It kind of seems like we're in different places, you know." Matt shrugged. "I wouldn't have been too upset if…if you'd been pregnant. I mean I'm ready for a family and even though I know your career is important to you…"

"Very important."

"Being back home made me realize how much I miss Pago Pago and how much I miss being around family."

She gave a supportive nod, thankful they were on the same page. "I understand. I would miss being so far from my family, too. Of course, if the Army relocates me, it is what it is."

"And I'd…I'd be willing to wait until you retire to move back."

"What?"

"I know it's a long time and might be difficult for the kids…"

"Fourteen years and that's only when I'm eligible to retire, not necessarily when I will."

"A career is important, but family is important too."

Jasper shrugged and finally nodded. "I can't argue with that, but I think…I need to focus on all aspects of the future. Not just my job or a family, but both and…and personal things that I need and want to do."

"And I fully support you in that."

Oh, thank God. "Good. I'm glad we're on the same page because this is never easy." She took deep breath and told herself to just get the words out, speaking at the same time as him.

"I think we should break up." "Will you marry me?"

"What?!" "What?!"

She sat in stunned silence for a moment staring at the ring he held in a velvet box. "I thought we were having a completely different conversation."

"So did I," Matt said sadly.

Jasper folded her hands and took another breath. "But you deserve someone who wants all that with you on your timeline. I'm at least five years away from wanting to settle down or having kids and I don't think it's fair to ask you to wait that long when clearly…" She gestured toward the ring. "…you're ready now."

"And I guess I thought if I asked, you might change your mind, but yeah, we're in two different places on this. I do love you, Jasper."

She gave a soft smile. "I love you too, enough that I want you to be happy. I want to put your needs and wants before my own."

"I'm disappointed. I had hoped I'd get a different answer." Matt closed the jewelry box and put it in his pocket. "But, I understand and I want the same for you. I just want you to be happy."

"Me too – I mean, for you." There was a part of her that was sad and would miss this. She'd miss him and the times they spent together, but as her future moved forward, their paths were going separate ways. There was also a part of her that couldn't wait to see where her path led to.

Amethyst

Her mom smiled at her as Amethyst opened her eyes after letting Penina do her makeup. "You look beautiful."

Amethyst looked in the mirror, noting the similarities in the roundness of their faces, the shape of their noses and their deep brown eyes. The sparkle was finally coming back to hers, which were lined in black. She'd used a touch of foundation and deep brown eye shadow. Her lips were painted a cocoa color and on her cheeks her mother had drawn a crescent moon shape in brilliant red. She touched the shell and bone necklace Jasper had brought back from the islands. Today she represented her family, her community and the place her ancestors had come from. "I'd look better with my hair down."

"Yes, but you have wear the tuinga anyway, so your hair will be covered. Auntie Su will bring it to the venue along with your dancing outfit." The front door opened and closed downstairs and Penina let out a squeak of joy. "That'll be your sister and Matt – your new brother-in-law."

"They're not married yet," Amethyst called after her mom as she hurried down the hall. Amethyst smiled one more time at her reflection before turning off the bathroom light and heading downstairs.

"What do you mean you said 'no'?" The scraping of a chair came from the kitchen and an exasperated sigh that could only come from her mother. "You should call him and tell him you made a mistake…"

"I didn't make a mistake," Jasper countered. "I will get married when I'm ready. Who knows? Maybe I'll meet my future husband at the thing."

"It's not a 'thing' it is the Polynesian Cultural Festival. Tani is going, maybe you could…"

"No."

Amethyst entered the kitchen and patted Jasper on the arm. "Didn't get engaged, huh?"

"Did everybody know?"

"Yeah we were all here when Matt asked Dad's permission."

"I am not property," Jasper said. "I am a person who can decide for myself."

Amethyst shrugged. "I thought it was romantic."

"I think it's an archaic tradition of a patriarchal society." Jasper smiled. "But I suppose we can agree to disagree."

They headed to the venue, Jasper following in her new car. Amethyst found her auntie and they headed backstage to get ready. Her outfit was sleeveless, made of expertly woven fibers and had red flowers at the top and a fringe at the bottom. Auntie Su placed a shell bracelet around one wrist then paused when she came to the other one. "You'll have to take that off."

Amethyst paused before unclasping the gold bracelet and putting it lovingly in her purse. She imagined how much Roselyn would have enjoyed being here and seeing her dance. She smiled as she saw her friend's face in her mind and once again gave thanks that she was here about to dance in front of everyone. "Oh geez, I'm about to dance in front of everyone."

"You'll be amazing," Auntie Su told her as she slid the crown on Amethyst's head. "Float like a spirit and tell your story."

Amethyst watched the others from the sidelines as dancers showcased their performances from the Hawaiian Islands to Tahiti and Fiji. She wanted to know how the Tahitian dancers moved their hips so fast that their skirts flew around them. A Tongan group took the stage before members of Amethyst's community. She knew as soon as the men were done with the war dance, it would be time for her to take the stage by herself.

"Nervous?" Auntie Su asked.

"Yeah. Why is the taualuga always last?"

"The word taualuga refers to the last stage in building a traditional house. This dance symbolizes the final, beautiful touches in a monumental task. That's why we always end any celebration with this dance." She squeezed Amethyst's shoulder and smiled. "But you're not an ending. I'm proud that I could pass this on to the next generation."

"Auntie, you're hardly older than Jasper." She took a deep breath as the men's dance came to an end and the audience cheered and clapped. Once they had left the stage, she took her place at the steps.

"Hey, good luck," Tani gave her a supportive punch in the arm.

"Thanks, uncle."

Once announced, she climbed up the few steps and took her place on the stage. She resisted the urge to lift her eyes and find her family. She remembered her mother telling about a place Amethyst had never been. Penina had talked of being nervous, too, having to dance in front of her entire village. 'Being the taupou was being the pride of the village…it's a lot to live up to, but you can do it,' her mother had told her earlier.

The music started – familiar notes and words she'd heard at nearly every Samoan celebration she'd ever been to, all that seemed to conclude with this dance.

O le taualuga o le a fa'ai'u mea uma

Olioli malie se'ese'e mai, ua matagofie
Fa'avai lou tino, tasi ou taga fo'i e manino
Ia faatamaalii, ua na'o oe lava e sili

Just as she'd practiced, she moved her body as the lyrics spoke of the gracefulness and beauty of the dance. Her feet slid across the floor, hardly moving unless she picked them up on certain beats like she'd rehearsed. She caught her mom's gaze from the audience and smiled. That's when she felt it – the spirit her auntie had talked about, filling her and helping guide her movements.

Polenesia uma, ou te tautino atu, e sili o le siva Samoa
Afai la e te fia talitonu, sau ia se'i e maimoa
O si ona faiga e fesuisuia'i e le tumau i se mea e tasi
e le gata ile se'e, tino ao faamane'ene'e

And she was with them as her movements called to mind a girl looking at herself in a pool of water or rowing a canoe on the ocean. Her hand passed close to the crown as though combing her hair. The dance may have been a finale, but she wasn't. She was a continuation. Her mother had performed this dance…and her grandmother…and others before. Someday, perhaps she'd have a daughter and she'd teach her to keep the spirit of her family and the islands alive.

Amethyst finished to applause and cheering as the music ended. A smile was still on her face as she left the stage feeling powerful and beautiful and she imagined everyone else could see this, too. They could sense the change in her that had taken months. It wasn't about how she looked. She could move to music and make poetry with her body. She had a beautiful soul that shined through her movements and she focused on that as she changed into her clothes backstage and clasped her bracelet on her wrist before joining her family.

Penina hugged her and kissed her cheek. "Oh, Amethyst. I'm so proud."

"Thanks."

Jasper put an arm around her. "So…I'm thinking since it's not raining and Taco Bell is half a mile and no left turns away, maybe I'd let you take me to get tacos this time."

"Really? You'd let me drive your car?"

"Just be very careful."

Amethyst's dad gave her a hug. "We'll see you girls later. You were amazing, Peanut."

She walked out with Jasper, heading toward the parking lot, which was much less full as most of the attendees had left. "I thought you were going to get a red car next."

"Yeah, they talked me into the practicality of silver. Plus, the red one was more expensive, but this one has automatic locks and windows."

Footsteps approached from behind. "Hey…uh…Amethyst?"

She turned to see Shawn Autufuga, whom she'd grown up with and had a few classes with at school. "Yo."

"Uh…I was wondering if um…you'd wanna go to a movie or something…sometime…with me?"

"I dunno, Ames is pretty traditional – did you ask our dad?" Jasper teased.

"Jasps!" Amethyst hissed. She took a breath and smiled. She didn't really know Shawn, but she supposed that's what a date was for. "Yeah, I'd like that."

"Cool." He flashed a nervous smile. "You dance really good, by the way."

"Thanks."

"I'll see you in math?"

"Yeah." Amethyst headed off toward Jasper's car, her heart fluttering. "I have a date…I actually have a fucking date."

"Looks that way." Jasper opened the car doors with her key fob and then tossed the keys to Amethyst once they were inside. "Ignition, lights, you may need to adjust the rearview."

"And the seat." Amethyst pushed the seat up so she could reach the pedals on the floor. She turned on the radio and switched to a station she was familiar with. Then looking around, she made sure everything was clear before easing out of the space and into the parking lot.

Jasper leaned back in her seat. "It's nice to be chauffeured for once."

Amethyst didn't want to spoil it by being sappy, but she thought it was nice that she was finally old enough to hang out with Jasper, even if it was just getting tacos. She turned slowly onto the road and drove carefully as she listened to the radio.

To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven

A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together

"Ames, the speed limit is thirty and while I appreciate that you're being careful with my car, you're going like half that." Jasper turned up the volume a little. "I like this song."

"Yeah, me too." Amethyst sped up slightly and tapped her fingers on the steering wheel as they sang together.

A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing

To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)…

~Fin~