Two Girls
"O Brigit, please bring your healing strength to your faithful sister. O Goddess, please heal her."
Nancy fell so quickly.
When they were still allowed to visit, Bonnie cried each time they pulled in parking lot. She sobbed quietly in the back of Rochelle's car as soon as they stopped, pulling back each time Rochelle tried to hug her.
It was never because of what they went through. It was because of the disinfectant smell and the men in long white jackets.
Once her scars were gone, she never wanted to go back.
They would both cry together afterwards, locked in Bonnie's room clutching each other.
It is always hardest on the sabbats when they can remember Nancy leading them in their celebrations.
During Midsummer, they had danced sky clad on the beach, laughing and singing.
On Samhain, Nancy dressed as a prim and proper school girl. Sister Mary Francis marked her absent and asked the new girl to introduce herself. They held their ritual late that night, and read each other's cards.
Nancy couldn't apologize. Rochelle and Bonnie couldn't forgive themselves
Rochelle wanted to hug her and tell her how they wished things could be different. But the restraints were tight for a reason.
Bonnie wished her healing spells could work and Nancy would stride confidently into school, taking her place at the lockers.
On her second anniversary at the institution, Rochelle and Bonnie showed up early and found Nancy's mom.
"You bitches stay away, you're only making things worse with this nonsense," she growled as the orderlies came forward, "Get out!"
Their pictures were taped up by the admittance window, but they still chanted for her each week.
Bonnie was happy to never see the hospital again.
"O Danu, please help us bring our sister back to us. O Goddess, please let us find the words to ask for forgiveness."
Sarah never answered their letters.
One day Rochelle saw her on a college visit to UC Sunnydale with the Pagan group on campus.
She ran up to her and hugged Sarah hard.
Sarah pulled away slowly. "Do I know you?" she asked confused.
"Sarah, are you joking? Rochelle asked just as confused.
"I don't know you anymore," Sarah said blankly, turning and walking away.
Rochelle never told Bonnie, and Bonnie kept writing her letters.
Sarah never answered them.
"O Aine, please bless our love. O Goddess, please keep us safe."
Nancy went crazy and Sarah moved on.
Bonnie and Rochelle stayed together.
"Two girls don't make a circle or a coven," Bonnie whined at lunch, "we need a third or maybe a few more people."
"But two girls does make a couple," Rochelle answered back, "and I think as girlfriends, we are two pretty damn powerful lesbians."
Bonnie squeezed her hand tightly, "I guess that's just as good."
Rochelle leaned down slowly, grazing her lips over the intricate ring on Bonnie's finger. "I think that's even better," she said softly.