Oscar and Alphonse
Myra was a fairy-child born the first of May, just as the cherry buds began to blossom into pastel pinks and the ground began to soften. It was between these changing seasons that Myra took her first breath, over the mossy knolls that she took her first steps and in a birch tree that she first met her two best friends. Two friends who would change everything, who would change the way Myra thought, two friends who would change life as Myra knew it.
Oscar and Alphonse sat atop a branch, masked by the leafy cover of a birch tree. Watching a small lithe body dance around beneath them. the young girl twirled and leapt over the protruding tree roots, a Spanish song spilling from between her sullen red lips. Oscar turned to Alphonse;
Should we say anything?"
"No, i think we would just scare her." Alphonse replied, his voice deep and unwavering.
“Right you are Al, should we leave?" Oscar asked his voice higher and mesmerizing in its simplicity. For a moment the air seemed to stiffen, the sound of the once chirping birds now gone with the rustling of the leaves. That’s when it happened, the little girl only feet below lifted her gaze and gave Oscar and Alphonse a wide toothed grin.
"Hullo!" She cried out, her delicate sing song voice lifting past the shrubs in which she was partially obscured. The girl lifted one thin pale handed and waved it unsteadily back and forth.
"Hallo there darling." Oscar called his voice an almost perfect reflection of the child's, "what's your name?"
"Myra." She called up," and what’s yours?"
"Oscar," He replied lifting an eyebrow at her readiness, "and this here is Alphonse."
"Hullo, what pretty names you have!" Myra exclaimed her cheeks flushing. Alphonse sat in disbelief, his onyx eyes tracing the gentle curve of Myra's face. How could such a young child know so much already, she didn't look like the other ones? She couldn't be a fairy-child, there was just no way. Alphonse pushed these thoughts to the back of his mind and juggled a smile back onto his handsome features.
"And what is a child such as you doing in these woods all alone?" Alphonse questioned the small blonde beauty in front of him.
"Mama says that I can play in the woods all by myself because I'm a flower girl." Myra twittered. An angelic smile spreading from ear to ear.
"My, your mother is a nice woman." Oscar said. a smile of his own pulling at his lips.
"My papa says she is the best wife in all of London.”
"Then your papa must be a very smart man."
"He is indeed Sirs." Myra said, "May I sit with you?"
"You may, as long as you promise to be careful climbing into this tree!" Alphonse exclaimed, a frown marring his features.
“Oh I promise!" Myra shouted with glee, and before either Oscar or Alphonse could get a word in edge wise, she was up the tree and perched on the branch beside them, "can we be friends?"
"Of course dear...we haven't had a friend in ages." Oscar said, his voice filled with excitement.
Because we haven't been able to find time lately." Alphonse replied his voice strong and soothing, dancing in the wind. The three shared their stories, those of fear and of triumph, of failure and bravery. Myra's voice carried through the day, cradling the sun as it lulled back into sleep.
"Myra, darling, it's about time you headed home." Oscar said his silver breath visible in the brisk spring air.
"But Oscar, I was having ever so much fun!” Myra cried, tears clouding her dark brown eyes, "must I go?"
"Yes dear." Oscar replied, "I'm sorry, but we can see each other again tomorrow."
"You must swear!"
"Yes child, we swear, we shall see you again tomorrow and for every day after that." Oscar and Alphonse bayed Myra adieu and watched as she scrambled down the tree and tore home. The moonlight flashing off her hair with every step.
"She is truly unique." Alphonse said, turning to Oscar.
---------------------------------------------------------
The summer began to flash by, days turning quickly into nights and weeks turning quickly into months. No sooner, it seemed to Myra, than she had met Oscar and Alphonse she was having to say good bye.
"There is no need for tears love." Oscar stated, his eyes alight with merriment.
"But Oscar dear, this is the last time I shall see you." Myra replied, tears escaping from under her heavily hooded eyelids. She thrust her hand upwards and wiped at them angrily.
"My darling Myra, you have been the greatest gift anyone could ask for. You have taught Oscar and I how to laugh. You have taught us how to enjoy the little things in life and most importantly you have taught us the true meaning of friendship." Alphonse said his voice low and reassuring.
"Will I ever see you again?"
"Undoubtedly my dear, if not in this life then in the next. But Myra, always remember that true friends are those that never leave you, living or otherwise, they are always by your side. They do not turn their back when you commit wrong, they take your hand and help you find what’s right. Remember this Myra and you shall be a true friend to all those you meet."
Myra paused under the birch tree where she had first met them, "One day, I promise I will find you again."
"And that is what we will wish for." Oscar and Alphonse replied in unison. Myra turned her face to look at them; she knew it was time to send them back. The caterpillars softly wriggled in her hand spelling out, "Good-bye."
No comments:
Post a Comment