I so miss being able to work in photoshop and manipulate photos or in the case of the work above scanning things and using them to create works. 
“You shot him I can’t believe you shot him.” Is all Daniel could say as he knelt on the ground beside the dark hared man; whose blood was now draining all over the ground. Sara still held the gun in her hands as she shook collapsing to her knees on the soft forest dirt. Daniel moved over to Sara and took the gun from her shaking hands. All he could see was the image of Sara taking the gun he now held and shooting the man. The man he knew was dead, and would never get to see his children or his girlfriend again. Why, because Sara thought if she couldn’t have him than no one could.
“Daniel, we have to leave now. Give me the gun. I don’t want you getting in trouble.”
“What are you going to do? You just killed a man; I have to call the police.” Sara just stared at Daniel, and slowly opened her mouth and let out a cackle.
“Okay you call the police and tell them how to get here. I am going to the creek for a swim. Let me tell you this though; He had it coming and he new it. It serves him right for messing around on my aunt.” Staring at Sara’s slim figure and glowing blond hair as she walked toward the creek Daniel took out his phone. He fumbled with it dialing the numbers thinking the whole time what had ever happened to the sweet girl he had known since grade school. They were both 18 now and Daniel had just gotten accepted to Harvard.
“Hello, Sheriff Dan please. It is his sun calling. I need to report a murder.”
“One moment, Daniel and I will transfer you.” Is all the secretary said. Daniel waited nervously wandering what Sara was doing and who the new secretary was. Then he herd the click of some one picking up.
“Daniel, what is wrong? My new secretary thought you said you wanted to report a murder. I hope this is not one of your games.” Daniel’s father stood beside his desk with a group of his men at the ready in case this was in fact real and not a prank like the last one they had pulled over two years ago.
“Dad, I saw all of it and I will testify against her.” Standing Daniel held the gun and began walking toward the creek and his truck.
“Daniel please start at the beginning. Wait you said her where is Sara is she ok. You to have not been fighting again have you. You know her mom said she needs peace and quiet with no stress. . .”
“Dad Sara shot and killed her aunt’s boy friend. I saw her do it. I have the gun in my hand now. We are at the fishing spot you used to bring me to when I was young. I can see Sara from the bank she is swimming and acting like nothing happened. Dad she had been seeing this guy for about two months now. She told me she was in love with him . . .”
“Daniel stay where you are and don’t let Sara get a hold of that gun; but don’t let her do any thing stupid either. I will be there in fifteen minutes. I love you.” The phone went dead and Daniel put it back in his pocket. It was almost three and he had promised Sara’s mom he would have her home by four. At least she couldn’t hurt herself swimming. Daniel sat on the bank and watched his friend act like nothing had happen. He smiled a bit realizing all of Sara’s clothes lay on the bank beside the waters edge. Any other time she would be screaming and yelling at him to turn around and not look. Today, though she just swam oblivious to everything around her. For a moment Daniel forgot what had happened and remembered his friend as she was before that man had come into her life. She was happy and enjoyed everything. There was even talk of him and Sara getting married. Then he came and Sara would have nothing to do with Daniel until now when she had lost the baby. Daniel new perfectly well that the baby had belonged to that man; after all they had not been in the same house for over three months; let alone in the same room with each other. The sound of sirens and splashing brought Daniel back to reality. Sara was now getting out of the creek and putting on her clothes. Her wet hair clung to her as she came and sat leaning against him.
“I love you Daniel, Will you come visit me in jail?” Sara said almost too soft for Daniel to hear her. The cop cars slid to a stop behind the truck and the sirens stopped as doors could be herd opening. Sara rapped her arm through Daniels and kissed his cheek.
“Daniel are you ok?” Daniel’s dad shouted at him from beside the truck.
“Yes dad you can come on over. The gun is on the floorboard of the passenger side of my truck.” Daniel herd the footsteps as men approached them. He did not move or blink, he just listened to Sara breath. Her breathing was calm as when she slept next to him so many months ago. He wandered what it all meant as his dad reached down and helped Sara to her feet. They did not even cuff her just told her rights and made her get in the back of a squad car. Sara didn’t look at him she just looked at her hands as they began to shake again.
“Can you take us to the body?” Daniels dad asked him as he helped him up from the hard ground.
“Yes it is up the path this way a little.” They walked up the path leading to were it happened. The body laid just the way it had been left, right arm on his chest, and left arm on the ground with a pool of blood beneath it now. Sara had good aim; the bullet went straight through his hart. The man was dead before he even hit the ground in his mussel shirt, blue jeans and blue sandals. This made Daniel wander what the man was doing here again no one new where they were going. Daniel had not eve told Sara’s mom.
A commotion from the other men made Daniel and his father start back to the clearing in a hurry. What was going on now? Why was that man here and why was he in sandals in the middle of nowhere without a vehicle is all Daniel could think of as they raced back to the clearing. Reaching the clearing they saw the other men reselling Sara to the ground.
“You’re hurting me; you have to let me go I have to help him.” Sara yelled as Daniel and his father came closer. She screamed the whole way back to the car and continued to scream in the car. Daniel turned to his dad, who suddenly seemed very old and tired by all this commotion. His Dad reached out and took his arm leading him to the truck.
“Daniel I want you to go home and stay there. I will call Sara’s mom from the station.” Is all Daniel’s dad said as he turned to walk to his car and the screaming Sara.
“Dad, will she be ok?” Daniel said as he put on his seat belt and reached to start the truck. His dad only turned his head and shrugged then went on to his car. Daniel turned the radio off as the truck rumbled to life and backed out past his dad and Sara. The drive home was long and slow. The scene of what had just happened kept replaying in Daniels head. He did not realize he was sitting in his drive till his mom knocked on the window making him jump. He opened the door and got out letting his mom take him in her arms and lead him inside.
“Your dad called about twenty minutes ago.” His mom said as they sat on the couch in the living room. Daniel let his mom wrap her arms around him as he began to cry.
“All I ever wanted was for Sara to get better and us to get married.” He said between sobs. His mother patted his back. Daniel got up; leaving his mom there he went to his room up stairs. Closing his door he looked at his room; blue was all he saw everywhere he looked. He walked to the mirror and looked at all the photos of him and Sara. There where pictures from prom, hanging out with friends and countless others. He caught his reflection as he reached for the most recent photo. His favorite one now, Sara was dressed in a blue dress and looked amazing holding a birthday cake for him. His friends and family where there too; but what startled him was his appearance. His brown eyes were puffy from crying and his blond hair was now flat instead of spiked. He shook his head, then reached and began ripping the pictures off the mirror. He took only a few seconds before moving around the rest of the room taking photos down of Sara, and anything that reminded him of her. It made a huge pile in the middle of the floor. A nock at the door made him jump as he took a box out of his closet to put all that stuff in.
“Honey . . . Are you okay? Your Dad’s on his way home and will want you to give a complete statement of the events. I know it will be hard but it will be in the best interest for Sara if you tell everything that you know.”
“Mom I know and I will I just don’t know who she is anymore and can’t stand to look at any thing that is going to remind me of her at the moment. I just. . . I can’t handle it right now.” The sound of the car door closing outside announced the arrival of Daniels father. Daniel went left the now full box on the floor and went past his mom down the oak stairs. He passed picture after picture of himself growing up as he descended those stairs; but he didn’t notice any of them. All he could do was think about what he was going to say. I have to tell everything that I know. What do I really know though? Sara was dating her aunt’s boyfriend for about three months; she became pregnant and supposedly lost the baby. She went through psychiatric help and had just got home three weeks ago. Her aunt’s boyfriend showed up three days ago and talked to her and then today the first day we were allowed to go anywhere alone he shows up out of the blue and Sara kills him. I still don’t know where she got the gun from. I know I have never seen it before. Why did she do it?
“Daniel . . . I need to know if you gave Sara the gun.” Said Dan. Daniel now stood in the kitchen not realizing how he got there. His dad stood stock still by the table with a tape recorder in his hand. Daniel looked at him with disbelief in what he had just asked. Daniel took a deep breath then sat down in one of the metal kitchen chairs. He waited for his dad to sit and turn on the tape recorder before answering him. He watched his dad sit, he looked so tired his dark eyes watered and his uniform was now crumpled not pressed as it had been that morning. He looked so old, Daniel cleared his throat as his dad placed the tape recorder between them.
“I have no clue where Sara got the gun. I did not give it to her and have never seen it before today.”
“Can you tell me exactly where and what you were doing before Sara shot her aunt’s boyfriend?”
“Yes; Sara and I had gone to the creek to go fishing and to relax. Sara needed to relax she had been on edge since her aunt’s boyfriend came to talk to her three days ago. We decided to go for a short walk to look for some strawberries. Sara loves wild strawberries, and there is a bush a little ways up the trail from the creek. Any way I went back to the truck to get a bucket to put them in leaving Sara to find the ripest ones. . .”
“You left her picking strawberries and her aunt’s boyfriend was no where around? Did any one to your knowledge know where you were going?” Dan asked his only son.
“Yes I left her there like I said and no one knew where we were going except Sara. She wanted to know so she could dress properly and I gave in. I guess she could have told someone. I had just come back up the path when I saw Sara facing him with the gun in her hands. She did not even look at me as I approached and before I could say any thing she fired the gun. That is when I yelled at her and went to the man’s side to see if there was any thing I could do. There wasn’t of course Sara has good aim. After that I noticed Sara had collapsed to the ground and was shaking. I went to her and took the gun. I told her I had to call the police.”
“What did she say to that?” Dan asked.
“She laughed and said the man deserved what he got for messing around on her aunt. It was kind of ironic since she was the one he was with. I did not even know her aunt was dating him. That is when she left me there and I called you.” Daniel sighed heavily not realizing he had been holding his breath as he said the last of it. His father reached out and turned off the tape recorder.
“That will do for now, Sara is at home with her mom. We thought it best to relies her seeing the state of mind she is in. I want you to know that none of this is your fault son. I know you did all you could have. I do think it would be in your best interest though not to see Sara for a while at least for a couple of days.”
“Okay dad, Do you know what will happen to her? I just don’t understand why she did it. I can’t make my mind forget it and I can’t make it move around it.”
“I know, I think a jury will find her guilty. I think after a lot of help and love form all of us she will get better. I don’t think you will ever forget what happened to day and I wish you had not gone through it. I am proud of you though, you stood by your standards and you are helping Sara though you may not see that now but in time you will.” Having said, that Daniels dad got up taking the tape recorder with him and walked into his study, leaving Daniel to sit there alone with all his thoughts. Daniel placed his arms on the table and laid his head down closing his eyes.
It had been a week since it had happened and Daniel was starting to be able to get through the day without thinking about it. He had not seen or heard about Sara for that time till today. He had just got home from having lunch with his dad and thought he would watch some TV. He walked into his living room and there she sat on the couch just as if nothing had changed between them. Daniel didn’t know what to do, so he stood there dumbfounded till his mom walked into the room carrying a glass of tea. She smiled slightly as she handed the glass to Sara and sat down in the chair opposite of her.
“Honey your home early, Sara dropped by to say hello and to give you something.” His mom motioned to the small box sitting on the coffee table in front of her. Sara didn’t say anything she just took a sip of her drink and then got up and walked out. Daniel’s mom quickly got up and went to the front door. In a moment she came back, Daniel had still not moved from where he stood.
“She is gone now you can breath; you could at least of said hello to her.” Daniel took a deep breath and moved over to the couch where he sat down and looked at the box.
“Do you know what is in it Mom?” His mom just shook her head and left the room. Daniel looked at it reaching out his hand shaking; he picked up the box and read Sara’s perfect handwriting on the top. To you my darling Daniel, I am sorry for all I have done to you and to the chance of us being together. I love you and always will. Love Sara. Daniel read it over and over looking for some kind of hidden meaning. He placed the box back on the table and went upstairs to his room; where he turned on his music and laid on his bed thinking of Sara. Daniels dad came home and found the box, but left it where it was.
“Daniel, could you come down here for a moment please I have something to tell you.” Daniels’ dad yelled at him from the bottom of the stairs. Daniel came down stars and they went into the leaving room. The box still lay on the coffee table and Daniel noticed it again only this time he was curious to know what she had put in it.
“Daniel I need you to sit down and listen very carefully to me. . . After Sara left here today she went home and well I don’t know exactly how to say this. So I will just tell you. Son Sara killed herself a couple hours ago. Her mom found her laying in her bed her wrists slit and a note saying that all would be better now. That she loved everyone and was sorry for the pain she had caused.” Daniel sat stunned looking at the box. He could not believe it the woman he loved and still wanted to spend the rest of his life with was dead. He looked at his father who was still standing in front of him. He noticed his dad was crying he had never seen him cry before not even when his dad’s dad had died. His dad cleared his throat then sat down on the couch beside him.
“Do you know what is in the box?” Daniel reached for it and picked it up opening the lid carefully. Inside was a photo of Daniel and Sara one none of there friends or even there parents had ever seen. The photo had been taken several months ago when they had been talking about getting married. Sara had wanted to see what they would look like on there wedding day. Daniel remembered the day like it was yesterday, Sara and him had driven over to a neighboring town so no one would know them. Sara had made an appointment and had taken her mothers wedding dress. Daniel wore his black tux and they stood in front of a fake garden background. She looked so happy in the photo it made Daniel cry. He smiled as he looked at the picture despite his tears. The only thing he could do was cry and wonder why she had done it. Daniels father took the picture looking at it and then noticed there was a note on the back.
“Son I think you should read this.” He handed Daniel the picture back. Daniel wiped his eyes and read the note which was in Sara’s handwriting. I know I did wrong but remember me as I was and not what I turned into. I was a fool, I had what I wanted right in front of me and did not realize it. I love you always.
October 4th
Dear Journal,
I wish they would just go away, every single one of them! Those dang fairies are driving me insane. I can’t even bake a cake without them messing it up or one wanting to help. They always watch what is happening and never want to help. So why is it they wanted to help today when I was baking a cake for sweet little Talley. It was her fourth birthday, and Mamma said I could bake the cake all by myself. I am still surprised Mamma let me, usually it is “Go play with your dolls you are too young to bake a cake.” I am seven I think that should be old enough to do a lot of stuff. Well this one blue-haired little trouble maker spilled blue berries in the cake batter. He apparently thought I was making pancakes. I got him though, squished him in my book, I did. He looks funny, now with blue berries all over him and his little body all stuck to my book. At least now he will be admired and loved by all who see him. I guess the chocolate and blueberry cake was ok cause no one said anything about it at the party. Though I did catch Talley’s mamma scraping the icing off hers. I guess she did not like what the orange-haired fairy did to the icing. She put peanuts in it right after I mixed it. I didn’t catch her, though; she is too quick. Maybe tomorrow I will get her. I plan on setting a trap. I have to go now. Mamma says it is time for bed.
Emily
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October 5
Dear Journal,
I didn’t get her today. I need to think of another plan. I used some of the leftover cake as bait. I sat perfectly still in Mamma’s flower garden and watched the cake. I placed it on the side of the pond. The sun was so warm, and the flowers smelled so sweet. I guess with all that nice stuff, I fell asleep. When I woke up, there was no cake, and a fairy I had never seen before was sitting on my stomach. He was beautiful; he had green hair and blue eyes. He had on funny clothes, all crisp and white. The funniest thing was he had a purple cap and a gold circlet on his head. He stood up, shook his finger at me, and then before I could get my book, he flew off. How do you like that? I told Mamma about him and what I did. I guess I shouldn’t have done that. She grounded me from playing with my dolls for a week and sent me to bed without supper again. I think she was mad about the cake. Any other time I tell her about the fairies she just tells me, “That’s nice, now go play with your friends.” I didn’t mind being sent to bed though; the pink-haired fairy brought me a roast chicken leg, some potatoes, and for desert, some honey rolls. I guess they’re good for something. I wonder where she got it from anyway!
Em
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October 7
Dear Journal,
I am sorry I didn’t write yesterday; I was sick. Mamma made me stay in bed all day long. Those fairies kept coming in and sitting on my window sill. I wonder why they did that. My room is getting cold, so Daddy made a fire in the fireplace for me. He is always doing nice things like that for me. I love him so much. I wish he was home more and not sick when he is home. It is all toasty warm now. The fairies are looking at me from outside. They look cold. I won’t let them in. They just sat and watched it all happen last night when Daddy came in my room. I don’t want to talk any more about it though. If Daddy found this he would be mad and then I would never get to see him again. He says it is because I am a bad little girl that he has to punish me when I am bad. Am I that bad though? I don’t think I am but I guess I am. . . They probably made me sick. I still don’t like them and I wish they would just leave and not come back! . . .
Daddy just came in my room again; apparently I did something awful wrong this time. He did not care that I was sick and didn’t feel good. Those fairies just sat there and watched and didn’t do any thing about it. I hate them!! I am going to bed now before Mamma comes and tucks me in.
Emily
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October 8
I caught her, I caught her! I can’t believe I caught her. I think she missed Mr. Blueberry, because I caught her looking at him in my book. I snuck up on her real careful like and snapped the book closed. She looks surprised. Her blue dress is up about her knees, and her hands are on her face. I think she is my favorite one out of them all. Mamma says it is not nice to flatten my friends. I should tell her I have no friends. I just tell her they’re not my friends. They’re a bunch of trouble-makers. I like her wings, though. They’re blues and greens. I wish the week was over so I could go play dolls instead of reading books. I do enjoy the time I have to look at all the fairies that I have caught over the past few months. I counted them today. There are twenty-three and a half. I wonder what happened to the other half. I only caught the wings and face of that one, and she is ugly. She kind of reminds me of Aunt Rose. She used to sit and watch Mamma knit till I caught her. Her face is wrinkled, and her eyes are sunk in her head. She has a yellow tint to her skin, but I think that is from being in my book.
Me
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October 9
Dear Journal,
They did it again, those dang things. They stole my favorite doll clothes! The ones that Aunt Rose knitted for me last Christmas. I think they did it because they were cold, but now my dolls are cold. I had to wear a sweater today and my gloves. It was so cold. I wanted to ask Mama if it was right for them to take my dolls clothes, but I was afraid she would get mad at me since my week aint up yet. Daddy might punish me again too, he doesn’t believe in the fairies any more. I haven’t seen him in a few days. I miss him; I hope he is not mad at me. My week will be up tomorrow, but I could not wait. I wanted to finish the tea party I had started with my bear. That way he could go biking tomorrow. He did not want to wait till the morning to finish his tea. I didn’t see the fairies today, but I still know they took the clothes. My window was open when I came back in my room from lunch, and it had been closed when I left.
Emily
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October 13
Dear Journal,
I know I haven’t written in four days, and I am sorry. There has been a lot going on around here. Little Talley is going to live with us for a while. I don’t know what happened except I haven’t seen her Daddy or Mamma in the past few days. I did see those fairies again though; they were flying around the house putting things here and there. They put Daddy’s coat in the closet and helped move Talley’s things into my room. Daddy has been home the entire time so I have been in a lot of trouble. He has been in my room almost every night. One green-haired fairy had on one of my doll’s sweaters. The blue one with the matching skirt and scarf. She didn’t have those on, but I think she just didn’t want Mamma to notice. Mamma took my book, the one with all my fairies in it. I guess I will have to find another one to start a new collection. Here comes Talley, so I am going to go to bed now.
Em
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October 14
Dear Journal,
It is so early the sun is not even up. Mama came in this morning and woke me; she said we had to find Talley. I wonder were Daddy is and why he can’t help Mamma look for Talley. This scared me, and it was then that I realized Talley wasn’t in bed anymore. I am writing this now so I won’t forget. That fairy is back again, the one with the circlet on his head. He is watching me write to you, Journal; I know I can’t catch him. I still don’t have a book. Well, here comes Mamma, I have to go look for Talley now.
I am so cold, it snowed last night. I was out all day with Mamma looking for Talley. We finally found her, the fairy with the circlet on his head lead us to her. She was all cold and nearly blue; the fairies did what they could for her. They covered her in branches, and then sat with her. I had never seen so many of them in one place before. Talley is in my bed under all the blankets I have. The doctor came and gave Mamma some medicine for her. I am curled up on the floor under Mamma’s floral quilt by the fire. Talley has not awakened yet; all the fairies are sitting on my bed watching her. I have not tried to catch one yet; Mamma said I could have my book back if I don’t bother them. I said ok and that I would not bother them unless they bothered me first.
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October 16
Mamma said Daddy left to work in the neighboring village. I think he left because of me. I did not let him punish Talley last night. I told him I was his little girl not Talley so he could not punish her. He punished me instead. He said I was a bad girl for standing up to him and this is what I get.
Talley didn’t wake up yesterday; she looked so peaceful asleep beneath my quilts. Mamma made me stay in the living room and practice my knitting. I hate knitting; the fairies came and tried to help me. The green-haired fairy sat and watched me knit. She gave me back my dolls sweater, but not the skirt or scarf. She played with the yarn and made a funny little sweater of her own. You should have seen her dancing about. I guess it was the first time she had made something without magic. I would have caught her if I had had my book, but it was in the bedroom, and Mamma wouldn’t let me in there.
Today I had to help Mamma with lunch, chicken and potato soup. Talley still hasn’t woke up. Mamma said it’s because she got so cold. The fairies tried to put corn in the soup, but I stopped them. I waved my hands at them and squished one in Mammas cook book. I tore the page out so Mamma wouldn’t see. It is a good thing I don’t like cabbage and pea soup cause that is what the yellow-haired fairy is on now. I will put him with the rest of my fairies. He is the first yellow haired fairy I have gotten. I think he might have been a cook or something; he had on a big puffy hat with bells on the ends. He was dancing on the cook book with bells on his shoes, and he was singing this fairy song. I don’t know what it was about, but he won’t sing anymore. I hope Talley is ok tomorrow.
Emily
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Dear Journal,
Talley woke up today, she still had to stay in bed, but she is awake. We played dolls all day, and since Talley likes to play with the fairies, I let them play. I said I wouldn’t squish them today. Since Talley wasn’t . . . supposed to get out of bed, Mamma let us eat in the bed using her lap tables. Talley looks so pale. We ate hot beef soup and cornbread for lunch. Daddy came back; he’s been outside in the barn all day. . . The fairies took to sleeping in my doll house . . . by the fireplace. I guess if my dolls don’t mind, I don’t either. It just means it will be easier to catch them later. They did put some kind of spell on the doll house furniture, though. All the beds look like they have goose down quilts and are made of clouds. They are being noisy now trying to sing Talley to sleep. She has a real bad cough and Mamma gave her some honey in hot peppermint tea. I wish they would be quiet; I can’t concentrate. . . I keep drifting off to sleep. . .
Emily
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October19
Dear Journal,
Yesterday was fun, I got to go sledding and Mamma let me make snow ice cream. You know what though; those fairies thought they would be smart and help me make it. They put cinnamon in the snow while I was putting the sugar in, and then those rotten things put nuts in it. I finally got all the nuts out, and after I put the vanilla in, it tasted ok. If Talley hadn’t been there, I would have smashed those evil little creatures in the cook book.
Today we made ghost cookies and some fairy cookies, too. It was by accident, I assure you. I did not mean to roll over the fairy that was stuck in the cookie dough. I didn’t even know he was there. Talley didn’t warn me, and he was ok after we pulled him out, but he doesn’t fly too straight now. He made a good stencil though; we decorated the fairy cookies with orange and black frosting. The other fairies laughed at him and ate the fairy cookies with little glasses of milk. I asked Mamma how long Talley was going to be with us; she said if it was ok with me, Talley would be my new sister. Talley’s grandma didn’t want her, I guess, and I still don’t know where her Mamma and Daddy are. I think it will be great having a little sister.
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Dear Journal,
I change my mind, having a little sister is a pain. Everywhere I go, she wants to go. If I go outside, she wants to go outside, and she can’t, so I can’t. I hate this, I really do. I want her to just go away and not come back. I have been in more trouble today than I have ever been, and half the stuff I didn’t do. I wanted to help with breakfast, so Talley wanted to help. She burned her finger, not bad, but I got in trouble for not watching her. Then I picked up all my dolls and went to the other room to practice piano. Talley went in my room and got all my dolls out and made a huge mess in my room. I got in trouble for leaving things out when Mamma tripped on my dolls clothes trunk while going to put mine and Talley’s clothes up. I told Mamma I had put them up, but she didn’t believe me and she said not to blame it on the fairies again. I am going to bed before I get punished.
Em
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October 21
Dear Journal,
Today was fun; I got to help with the milking. Talley had to stay inside, but she helped Mamma bake some bread. The kitchen smelled so good when Daddy and I came in from milking the two cows we have. The bread was in the oven, and it wouldn’t be long before it was done. I think about it now, and my mouth just waters. I showed Talley how to knit a dress for her doll today. I liked showing her how to do that, it was fun. Her dress wound up being longer on one side than the other though, and a pink-haired fairy stole it. Talley laughed at her, but I was mad. I got my book and tried to catch her in mid- flight with it, but Talley pulled my shirt and started to cry. That is when Mamma came in and wanted to know what I had done. I told her the fairy had taken the dress, and she just shook her head. She told me that if I didn’t watch it, the fairies would leave, and then I wouldn’t have anyone to play with. I think she is just saying that so I won’t squish them anymore. Doesn’t she understand that I don’t play with them; I punish them for stealing things. I don’t understand Talley, either; she likes looking at my book with all the squished fairies in it, but she doesn’t like watching me do it. I think the fairies like it. They are the ones who look at my book over our shoulders when we sit by the fire. I even caught one turning the pages when I left the book sitting open on my bed the other day. I think they want to be squished so they will be admired and can be looked at all the time. I have to go to bed now so good night.
Emily
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Dear Journal,
Mamma said tomorrow me and Talley could go outside and play. Today I sat inside and watched it snow. The fairies made faces at me through the glass; they were teasing me and wanted me to come play. I wish Mamma would have let me, then I could catch them. They will pay for making fun of me because I could not go outside.The only reason they were outside is because they stole all the knitted doll clothes Talley and I had. Talley said she gave hers to them so they would be warm. I just wanted to catch them. I got to help Mamma make pumpkin pie, and then we carved jack-o-lanterns from the pumpkins. I wonder who Jack is and why he wanted lanterns with funny faces made of pumpkins. I asked Mamma, but she just laughed at me. My pumpkin is grinning with triangle eyes and a round nose. Talley’s is funny-looking; Mamma helped her carve it. I don’t really see a face, but Talley likes it. The four fairies that were in the house liked it too; they were playing in it. They went in and out the holes like they were playing hide and seek. It was so funny, Talley and I laughed for hours. I still don’t know why they were in the house. They helped me with my embroidery design, too. It is a castle with dragons flying over it. The fairy prince, you know the one with the funny gold circlet on his head, drew the dragons. He is pretty good at drawing, but he disappeared when I started the needle work. I wish Mamma would have told me sooner what he was; I wouldn’t have tried to squish him in the pumpkin pie had I known what he was. I will squish him in my book dancing or something like that.
Mamma and Daddy had a big fight and Daddy left for a few days or so he said it would only be a few days. I hope I didn’t do anything wrong. He punished me yesterday and I still hurt.
Me
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October 28
The past six days I have spent my time catching fairies in the snow-covered garden. It is funny the places they think to hide. I found some good hiding spots to play in later or to hide from Daddy in. He came back a couple of nights ago and was in my room all night. He left Talley alone and only punished me. I still don’t know what I do wrong to make him do it. Mamma found me in bed with Talley this morning. Daddy was in my bed with no clothes on and she screamed at him a lot. . . I brought my book in after being outside all day and sat by the fire with Talley. We had hot cocoa and looked at my days catch. She laughed at the funny poses I got them in. I got one little blue-haired one with pink leggings, a purple dress, and the scarf and mittens that went to one of my dolls. She was asleep under a rose bush that was covered in snow. She had made a bed of rose petals and covered up with leaves. She looks so peaceful, and you know what, the rose petals stuck to the book, too. They’re still pretty and pink. I wonder if that fairy put a spell on them before going to sleep.
Emily
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October 29
Dear Journal,
Talley showed Mamma my book today while I was helping Daddy bring in some wood. Mamma was mad, and when I got back, she scolded me for what I had done to the fairies. I just don’t understand why she is mad; I only squished the ones that were being bothersome. Though I did squish the one sleeping on the rose petals. Mamma sent me to my room to think about what I had done, so here I am. I don’t see what was wrong with squishing the fairies. They like to be caught; otherwise, they wouldn’t make faces at me and fly away. I still haven’t caught the prince yet; he is tricky, and I found him kissing a yellow-haired fairy who was wearing a pink rose petal dress. She is beautiful, and I thought I had them both, but I stepped on a stick and it broke. I was going to squish them in my book this morning while I was outside looking for feathers to decorate the pages around the fairies. That was all before I went to help Dad and wound up in trouble. I guess Talley was mad because I squished the pink-haired fairy that was wearing the dress she knitted. It was easy she was hovering by the window watching Mamma cook lunch. . . Here comes Mamma, I better pretend to be thinking about what I did. . .
Mamma and I had a long talk about Daddy and his punishments. She cried the whole time she talked to me. I hope I don’t get in more trouble from Daddy. She told me Daddy was sick and needed help, but he does not look sick. I am going to bed before any one comes in and tries to talk to me more.
Emily
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October 30
Dear Journal,
I still do not know why I was in trouble. Mamma looked at the book and found several pages from her cook book, and I guess that made her even madder because I did not get to leave my room today. I was supposed to go to the carnival too. It was going to be fun. Every year there is a carnival, and each year it is better than the last one. I get to play games and play with other kids my age. I wanted to go so bad. I begged Mamma, but she said I had to stay in my room and think about what I had done. She left me here with Daddy and gave him strict instructions not to let me go outside or let me have my book. She also told him he better not lay a hand on me. He did let me have my book though, and told me to stay in my room. I sat in my room all day looking at my book. Daddy brought me lunch, and then disappeared into the other room. I looked at my room today for a while; it seems a lot smaller now that Talley is sharing it with me. I didn’t see a fairy today at all, they stayed away. I bet they went to the carnival. They would like that, there are a lot of things they can do to have fun there.
Em
P.S. Mamma said Daddy would never punish me again and that things are going to be different, because Daddy was leaving us.
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October 31
Dear Journal,
It is all hallows eve night, and you’ll never guess what happened. They all disappeared, every single one of them. The fairies I squished in the last few days look sad and lonely. I am going to miss them a lot. I wonder where they went; I am all alone now. . . Mammas calling me . . .
Maybe I’m not all alone; after all I have Mamma, and now Talley. Mamma just told me what happened to Talley’s parents and why she lives with us now. Talley’s Mamma and Daddy died in a fire while trying to help Talley’s grandma out. Talley’s grandma died, too leaving Talley all alone. I feel so sad and bad for Talley, no wonder she tried to run away. She just doesn’t believe they’re gone. I understand why everyone ignored me . . . I got to go now; Talley and I are going to help Mamma make pumpkin brittle.
Emily
P.S. I feel really bad now for squishing all the fairies. I wish I could bring them back somehow.
“The Book”
Jamie stepped out of the elevator on to the second floor of the new campus Library for yet another long study session. It was a nice day to have to be indoors but it did not bother her. Jamie was too concerned about studying her world history she needed to pass this class. As she placed her books on her favorite oak table near the window at the far back of the room hidden behind all the shelves of books she saw David. Jamie noticed every detail especially the way his shoulder length brown hair was down in his face. She sighed heavily David was dressed in a blue t-shirt and old worn out jeans sitting on the floor with a book in his lap. Sitting down at the table she wandered if he had the book with him and if she had a chance of getting it back. Looking at her books in front of her she did not notice David get up and walk toward her. He sat down in front of her and watched her for a while. Becoming aware of him in front of her was unnerving and made it extremely hard to focus on her studying. Looking up she met his deep blue eyes. “Hello David. How are you?” He simply smiled making Jamie blush. “Good, I was wandering if you really meant what you wrote in that book I have.” Jamie blushed even more that was private information even if it was about him. “You read it! I would like it back if you don’t mind” “You can’t have it back. I think I will keep it as a memento it has some great stuff in it.” Jamie got up and looked at him as she calmed down. “Do you have it with you or not.” Smiling David leaned back in his chair and looked at her. “Search me and find out for your self.” Reaching over toward him Jamie noticed how he looked at her and stopped. “Ha ha . . . I knew you did not have it in you.” “Do you have the book I need it back! That stuff was personal and was meant for no ones eyes.” “Well I am sorry but all the stuff in the book is about me so I think I have a right to read it.” Flustered with him Jamie sat down and began studying again. David watched her smiling; he leaned over close to her and whispered. “I am sorry you need it back so bad. What if you tried the things you wrote about?”
Jamie set on her bed the next morning still thinking of the day before. She stretched and sighed looking at her white walled, single occupancy room. Getting up she walked to the imitation wood dresser and got her hairbrush. She looked in the long mirror hanging on the wall beside the door and begins brushing her long auburn hair. Strait as a board she thought always was unless she put a perm in. This action for the moment took her mind off of what David had said. Turning around she surveyed her room the windows behind her bed had the blinds slightly closed to block out the morning light. Her simple twin bed was made for the most part the blue and yellow checkered cotton comforter was tossed over her two pillows in there silly my little pony cases. Why had she insisted on bringing those pillow cases she could not remember? The rest of the pillows including one small heart shaped pillow with her name embroidered in pink were lying on the floor. The rest of the room was plain simple white walls with nothing on them and the only other furniture was an old chestnut looking desk. Looking at it now and seeing her history book open to where she had left it the night before after leaving the library, she remembered the day before again. Putting the hair brush back on the dresser she sat at the desk in the most uncomfortable chair she had ever sat in. She hated that chair and wandered why she did not put it in the closet and go buy another one. Sighing she took out a new journal and began righting down how she felt and all the ideals running through her head. Deep in thought and not paying attention she did not hear the phone ring till the machine picked up. “Hello . . . wait a minute let me turn off the machine.” Turning off the machine she got up and took the phone and plopped down on the bed. “Ok what was it you asked? Well I am not dressed yet can you give me about twenty minutes. Ok see you then.” It was her best friend wanting her to go and have lunch and then maybe go shopping. Looking in the closet she picked out a pair of faded denim pants with butterflies embroidered on the bottom of the legs and an old blue t-shirt that said in black calligraphy writing “No I wasn’t stalking u on the front and on the back I just know your name, age and everything about you” and her favorite blue flip flops. Stopping to look in the mirror she noticed her eyes were a deep green today, she grabbed her purse and ran out the door to met Kate.
Kate as always was fashionable dressed in the latest thing hipster dark blue denim pants, with platform heals and a very cute ice pink renaissance top. Kate looked at Jamie and shook her head and smiled. “What this is my going out look for today.” “That is not your going out look it is your. I don’t care what people think look.” Both of them laughed at the same time and headed down the hall to the cafeteria to inspect the food. Just as Jamie thought nothing edible was here but Kate found some rather disgusting looking gravy covered chicken. “Are you really going to eat that? Let’s go get Chinese or something at the mall” “That does sound good and we would already be there to go shopping so mm ok.” Walking out of the crowded cafeteria Jamie saw David. David smiled and called out to her as they passed him. “Given any thought to what I said last night?” Kate nudged Jamie in the ribs with her elbow. “What was that all about anyway?” “I don’t want to talk about it. It was nothing I just saw him in the library yesterday.” “Come on there is something there your not telling me.” Jamie looked at her friend and shook her head then kept walking. It was bad enough that all she could think about was what David had said. But to have her best friend wanting to know was worse she knew that sooner or later Kate would find out. She could pitcher it now the only thing she had ever keep from Kate was the book.
The whole drive to the mall was made up of an awkward silence. Jamie could not even look at Kate so instead she watched the cars and buildings of down town, Paris, TX, go by. First she saw some kid in the back seat of his mom’s SUV making faces as cars went past them. The mom sat in the front seat talking on her cell and getting really agitated at the child. They left them waiting to turn right on to the freeway and came into down town another few blocks passed the movie theater and bible book store and there was the mall. Kate expertly maneuvered into a parking spot in front of the west main entrance. Getting out of the car Jamie looked at Kate and new that she was about to ask again what had happened. “Ok Jamie since I can tell by the way you are looking at me your not going to tell me what went own. . . I guess I will forget it for now.” Jamie just looked at Kate and then fallowed her inside to the food court. To there horror and amazement there favorite Chinese place the Golden Dragon had closed for remodeling. They stud in front of the little cheap looking dragon statues in a daze. “Well I guess we can go some where else if you want Kate.” Shrugging her shoulders Kate looked at Jamie. “Where should we go, the Corn Dog Palace, Pizza Hut, Joe’s or maybe we should just go to Sonic.” “Ok let’s just go to Joe’s and get burgers, though I was really craving Chinese.” Kate took the lead once again and maneuvered through the crowds of people and tables to the entrance of Joe’s. Jamie smiled as they entered and found a nice booth were they could watch the people go by. The waitress brought menus and took there drink orders but Jamie had other things on her mind. “Earth to Jamie! What are you thinking about anyway? Oh wait I know you aren’t going to tell me are you.” Blushing Jamie smiled “No way am I telling you any thing at this time. At least not till I work some things out in my head.” The waitress who Jamie now realized was a skinny girl with blonde hair and who could not be older than 18 brought there drinks and took there orders. “I will have a cheese burger and fries what do you want Kate?” “Let me see. . . Just give me the same.” The waitress left the silence was there again. Jamie played with her straw stirring it around and around in her root bear. Kate taped the table with her manicured nails and smiled at Jamie as she looked up. “Ok so where do you want to go first after we eat?” Jamie thought for a moment she did need to get a new outfit for the dance the school was putting on next week. “Let’s go to that store by Clare’s the one that always has the nice dresses. You know the one you got your “I love rock and role” shirt from.” “Ok let me guess you still have not gotten any thing to wear to the dance.” At that moment there food was brought so Jamie just shook her head yes. They devoured the burgers and went to the clothing store.
Arriving back at the dorms with all four bags filled with new clothes Kate was in heaven. She had found great deals every place they had gone. Jamie smiled at her friend carrying her one purchase a new dress for the dance. Kate left her on the second floor going to her own room. Jamie road the elevator up to the fourth floor and getting off ran smack dab into David. “Sorry. . .” Jamie said then realizing who it was turned to go down the hall to her room. David reached out and touched her arm making her turn around. “Can I talk to you a sec. No games, I promise” Jamie just looked at him and then nodded she was too caught up in what he could possible be doing on this floor to care. Clearing his throat he looked at her with those deep knowing blue eyes. He nervously ran his hand through his hair. “Would you go to the dance with me next weekend?” Jamie was shocked she did not know what to think or say. She just stood there looking at him dumbfounded. Could he really like me or is he doing this as a joke, as if reading her mind. “Jamie, I . . . this is not a joke I really want to go with you and not just because of what you wrote either.” Not trusting her own voice Jamie nodded yes and smiled at him. “I will pick you up at seven and we can go eat before going to the dance.” Jamie managed a smile as she watched him walk down the stairs. In a hazy daze she went to her room and closed the door.
The begging of the week went by quickly leaving Jamie no time for any thing, especially any time to think about that coming weekend. Keeping to her self the first few days she went to work and did her home work as she was supposed to do. It was Wednesday night and things were beginning to slow down giving her time to think. Jamie sat own her bed and starred out the window thinking of David. What could he be up to asking her to the dance? He had seemed censer but was he really. Sighing she got up and turned her TV on for some down time to lose herself in a good movie. Flipping channels looking for something on she realized how nervous she was about Saturday night. Just her luck there was nothing on TV. Jamie got up and turned it off and decided to go to the Library at least there she could pick out a book to read or rent a movie.
She had entered the library and got on the elevator pushing the second floor button with out thinking. The movies and good reading material was on the fourth floor. Stepping off on to the second floor she walked to the back off the room to her table. There sitting in her chair as if waiting for her was Kate. “About time you showed up I have been waiting for almost an hour.” Kate had startled Jamie who was still deep in thought. She looked at her friend confused. “What are you talking about any way?” Kate stood and walked around the table and picked up her bag off the floor where she had tossed when she came in. “This is what I am talking about. You were supposed to be helping me study for a test I have tomorrow.” “I am so sorry I forgot. We can study now if you want to. I have had a lot on my mind lately, mostly about this weekend.” They both sat down at the table but neither one opened the book. Since David had asked Jamie to the dance she had not seen Kate except in class. Class was not a good place to discuss these matters. “Ok I know you have had a lot on your mind lately, with David asking you to the dance and all but that is no reason to completely forget about me.” “How did you know about that?” “David saw me the other day and asked what your favorite flowers were.” Jamie just stared at here friend, he had asked what her favorite flowers were. This shocked her and she did not realize Kate was still talking till she started clicking her nails against the table top. “Sorry what did you say?” “I simply said I asked why he wanted to know granted I was a little rude when I said it. If you would have told me he had asked you I would not have given him the third degree about messing with my best friend heart.” “You didn’t . . . He really asked what my favorite flowerers are?” Kate smiled and nodded putting her book back in her bag she got up. “Come on lets get out of here I can tell your mind is not going to be focused on studying tonight.” Not arguing with Kate since she was right Jamie got up and they walked back across the street to there rooms.
Waking the next morning Jamie got dressed. She looked in the mirror at what she had put own a pair of faded blue jeans and a blue pearl snap dress shirt. She went back to her closet and looked for something else to wear. By the time she finally decided on the exact outfit she had started out with she was late for class and to top it off her room looked like a tornado hit it. There were close all over her room and you could not see the floor at all. A nock on the door reminded her that she was running late. Reluctantly she opened the door grabbing her bag as she did. “Woo what happened in there. Love the outfit! Did you do your homework for history?” Kate walked faster keeping up with Jamie who was in a hurry if they were late for class there would be trouble. Jamie went down the stairs two at a time and did not slow down till they were in the class room with five minutes to spare. She turned to Kate and smiled. “Made it on time and yes I did my homework Tuesday night.” Kate would have answered but the professor started calling roll at that time. Jamie groaned as the professor who was a short man with very thinning gray hair and small beady eyes announced a pop quiz. The professor walked by each desk and placed a quiz on it. He came to Jamie’s desk and placed it on her desk with a flourish. Jamie thought this particular professor disliked her. The professor only disliked the fact that he had not been able to stump her on any quiz he had given her. Jamie smiled politely at him and began the quiz. After the quiz class was slow and boring he went over the same things he did Tuesday.
After class Jamie and Kate went for lunch in the cafeteria, pizza and a salad. Jamie smiled as they sat down thinking you could never go wrong with pizza especially since everything else looked disgusting. “Kate do you think you can come over about 6:30 and help me do my hair Saturday?” Kate could not answer she had just taken a big bit of her pizza. “Sure on one condition, I get to hang around till he picks you up and take some pictures.” Jamie fended astonishment at the request. “Ok but you have to leave after you have taken a couple of pictures.” They enjoyed there lunch and left the cafeteria laughing and giggling together only splitting up because Kate had to go to another class and Jamie had work. The rest of the day was long and boring Jamie could not wait to get back to her room take a shower and go to bed.
She had forgotten about the clothes all over her room. Jamie spent most of Friday putting them up and cleaning her room. She did not stop till late in the afternoon when Kate stopped by to barrow her notes from history class. Jamie thought Kate looked especially cute today in her denim minnie skirt and black shirt with hearts and roses all over the front. Giving her the notes Jamie sat on her bed tired after all the cleaning she had done. Kate sat down at the desk and began copying the notes in her own spiral. “So how are you going to do your hair?” “I’m not sure what I want done to it. I thought I would do it up but maybe I should just do part of it up.” Kate smiled and looked at Jamie. “You want a suggestion; I think you should wear your hair up in a French twist with a few strategically placed ringlets hanging down.” “Ok but you are going to have to do it. You know I can’t make my hair do what I want.” They both laughed and jumped when the phone rang. Kate went back to work on the notes and Jamie answered the phone. “Hello, who is this? Sorry mom it did not sound like you. Just hanging out with Kate while she copies my history notes. No I have not heard from dad what did he need? Ok I will email it to him this weekend.” Kate got up and put Jamie’s spiral back in her bag. She went to the door then turned to Jamie. “I will see you tomorrow.” “Ok hey do you want to get some dinner in a few minutes.” “Yea meet you in the cafeteria in a few.” Kate left and Jamie continued talking to her mom who was now confused about what was going on. “Mom it was just Kate leaving we are going to grab some dinner in a few minutes. Ok well I will talk to you later then. Bye”
Jamie woke up Saturday morning at about ten with butterflies in her stomach. After taking a long shower, that did not relax her one bit she put on some comfortable clothes and spent all the rest of the morning worrying about how to do her make up. Playing around with different eye shadow for about half an hour she did not hear Kate nock on the door. Kate startled Jamie when she came out of the bathroom finally deciding on a light pink that would hopefully bring out her green eyes. The pink would also compliment her light blue dress. “Kate you scarred me. Did you nock or just come in.” “I knocked and when I didn’t get a response I opened the door. That is not what you are wearing is it?” Laughing Jamie went to the closet and took out her dress. “Do I put it own before or after you do my hair?” “Before that way you won’t mess up your hair when you put it on.” Kate smiled as Jamie changed into her dress then sat on the chair. “Ok I’m ready . . . ow that hurts not so tight.” “Sorry it will have to be tight to hold the twist. Trust me you will look great.” There was a nock at the door as Kate finished Jamie’s hair. “He’s early and I am not ready yet.” “Calm down you go in the bathroom and finish getting ready and I will let him in.” Jamie went into the bathroom and put on her jewelry. Catching sight of her self in the mirror she stopped stunned. Her hair was perfect with two ringlets one own either side of her face like a frame. She smiled and took a deep breath then opened the bathroom door.
Looking at her feet as she entered she realized she didn’t have her shoes on. She did not notice how David looked at her, the sudden smile accompanied with the nervous shift of his feet. “You look great, I love that color on you.” Jamie looked at him then and smiled thinking the whole time this is a dream. “Thank you. You look great too. Let me get my shoes and we can go.” “You can’t leave till I get at least one picture.” Both of them jumped they had both forgotten about Kate being there. Jamie got her shoed and put them on. “These are for you.” Smiling David handed Jamie a bouquet of white roses as there hands touched Jamie shivered with excitement. This is going to be fun, maybe David was not the big tough guy he pretended to be. Maybe I am not as scared and shy as I think, she absentmindedly thought as putting the flowers in a vase of water. Kate took more than one picture and it was nearly seven thirty before they left.
David opened the passenger door to his blue mustang for Jamie. Smiling she slid into the seat and let him close the door. David got in the drivers seat and started the car. “Where are we going to eat?” “It is a surprise.” Arriving at Jamie’s favorite restraint the Cheese Cake Factory she laughed. “This is my favorite place to eat, especially desert. How did you know?” “Let’s say I did not just ask Kate about what your favorite flowers were.” Jamie smiled as David got out of the car and came around and let her out. All she could think as they walked into the restraunt was this is so nice but is he really sincere or is this some horrible joke. They were seated on one of the upper areas at a small little table. Looking around Jamie saw made a mental note of the way things looked. There were pink and white carnations on the table along with the regular salt and pepper shakers. The light hung low and cast shadows on David’s face making him look mysterious. Jamie laughed and covered her mouth grinning. “What is so funny?” “Nothing it is just the way the light is casting shadows on your face that’s all.” The waiter came now and took there orders. “So how is your history class, was the test hard?” “It is all write even if the professor has it in for me. The test was so hard especially since I could not concentrate on studding with you there.” The waiter was back with there drinks and food. David looked at what he had ordered. “I am not sure weather to eat this or throw it out.” “I told you not to get that but you didn’t listen. You can have some of my angel hair pasta if you like.” From then own it was silence they ate and enjoyed there meal, David paid and they left to go to the dance.
It was beautiful the room was decorated with white and silver balloons every where. A projector was turned on and stars of all sizes were from the ceiling to the floor. Chairs and tables had been removed from the center of the large ball room and were placed around the edges. David placed his hand lightly on Jamie’s back and led her to a table where she could put her purse with Kate’s. Jamie watched as David slipped off his jacket and draped across the chair beside the table. “Shall we dance or do you want to wait a while.” “. . . Dance” Jamie said shy all of a sudden. David smiled and took her hand leading her onto the dance floor. The music was soft Jamie realized they were playing a waltz and she had no idea how to do it. David slipped his hand down her bare left arm moving her hand to his shoulder and placing his on her back just beneath her shoulder blade. David smiled as he took her other hand in his and whispered, “Just fallow my lead.” Jamie smiled unsure if she could do even that she was so nervous. Gently and sure of himself David danced her around the room. This is fun and I am actually doing it is all Jamie could think as the song came to an end. “You dance heavenly and perfectly.” “Thank you. Though I think you are the reason why. I have no idea how I just did that.”
David led Jamie over to the table were they sat down. “I have something for you. I am sorry I was such a jerk about it. I did read it though I had only read the first few pages when I saw you at the library. I read the rest of it last night.” David took the blue leather bound book out of his inside jacket pocket and handed it to Jamie. “Thank you for giving it back but you can keep it if you would like. I don’t need it anymore being here with you has convinced me that I don’t need fairy tells. I need to get out and experience things for my self and not be so shy.”
