My maid told me the Anting-Anting was a mythical amulet worn by Filipino natives during the Filipino-American war. It was believed that its spiritual, magical powers would offer invincibility and protection from enemy bullets. Many soldiers were found with bullet wounds leaking blood and faith. When I told my maid that such an ending was inevitable she asked me if these people were wrong to hope.

My maid knew where everything was; and all my secrets were kept at 3am. She found the necklace you bought me. It was buried under a stack of pictures, amidst some love letters we once exchanged. She said it didn't seem so crazy at the time, when you spun me into a kiss and placed the necklace around my neck, to believe.