Before I am Famous

literature is something we infer after the story is told

Good Bye Daddy

Posted on | June 6, 2008 | No Comments

Lizziebelle sits on a dark-green lily pad, breathing in sweet summer smells mixed with water
lilies and mud. She considers a swim but a light brighter than the sun comes closer. It is Maray.

“Lizziebelle, there is someone who needs you,” she whispers.

“Why me,” Lizziebelle croaks.

“Because I believe you are the only one to help her,” Maray replies. The light fades and in its place sits a piece of paper with an address on it. Lizziebelle memorizes the address and begins her journey. She doesn’t know why Maray chose her but she goes because it is her destiny.

***

The sun sets, the sun rises and Lizziebelle finds herself in a cookie cutter neighborhood where the lawns are perfect. Some houses are blue, some are yellow. Neighbors wave to each other while getting the paper. Lizziebelle hops down the shimmery white sidewalk. She finds the address, a sky blue house with white shutters, an American flag hangs off the white porch. A maple sapling bears a yellow ribbon. Hopping to the backyard, she spies a girl in pigtails, holding a stuffed frog sitting a little clubhouse atop a wooden swing set.

Lizziebelle hangs back and watches as the girl’s mother comes out the back door with cookies and juice. The child doesn’t look at her mother or the cookies. Pigtails’ mother goes into the house. Lizziebelle hops across the fresh-cut grass and up the wall to the child. She cradles her frog and the morning sun catches tears on her face.

What do I do? Thinks Lizziebelle. She’s never been on assignment before. She is not the best student; she mixes up her magic. Lizziebelle believes her destiny is to sit at the lake day in and day out. Now she is important and she can’t remember what Maray taught. What if she frightens the girls, then what? Lizziebelle looks to the sun and wishes for a sign.

The child looks over and locks eyes with Lizziebelle. A thin smile creeps on her face. She reaches her small hand up and strokes Lizziebelle, then soon grabs her.

“Hi, what’ your name? Mine is Susan.” Lizziebelle freezes. “I guess you can’t talk.”

“Lizziebelle,” the frog whispers.

Susan’s eyes widen, “you can talk. Why?”

“I don’t know.”

“This is my frog Jo-Jo. My daddy gave him to me. I’ve had him since I was a baby.”

“He’s really nice,” Lizziebelle pauses, “why are you crying?”

“Because daddy died in the war. I was mad when he left because he had to go again. I was so mad. I didn’t tell him I loved him. I didn’t say goodbye now he’s gone for good.” Susan’s tears rush down her face.

Lizziebelle sits for a moment, “you know he can’t come back, but would be the next best thing?”

She sniffles and wipes her nose on her arm, “I just want to tell him I love him.”

Lizziebelle knows what to do. She did it by accident once at school. “Come in the yard,” Lizziebelle tells her.

Susan asks no questions and follows the bright green amphibian into the yard. Lizziebelle closes her eyes and manifests a hot air balloon with a small basket and a balloon made of green with big sun. The flame growled.

“Come on Susan.”

She stumbles into the basket and slowly the balloon arises into affinity. Still grasping Jo-Jo she asks, “ how did you do that?”

“Magic.”

Susan smiles. A breeze from the north pushes the balloon into whip cream clouds. Birds fly up to the balloon then continue on. “This is great, Lizziebelle.”

***
Susan’s mother looks out the window and realizes Susan is gone. She drops the glass into the sink where it shatters in impact and rushes outdoors yelling Susan’s name. Next she runs over to the neighbors and no one has seen her. Her heart thuds. Susan’s mother dashes back into the house and calls the police.

***

Susan and Lizziebelle soar in and out of clouds. Up ahead, light spreads across a thick cloud much like the sidewalk in Susan’s neighborhood. Lizziebelle navigates the balloon toward the cloud. The balloon thuds down.

“Go on Susan. Someone is waiting,” Lizziebelle tells her. Susan gets out with caution. “It’s okay Susan.”

Yellow light spreads across the cloud like angel wings. A figure appears in the light, a tall man wearing a uniform. Susan sees the man and runs into his arms.

“Suey sauce.”

“Daddy you’re back!”

He kneels in front of her with the same lily pad eyes she has, “no Susan, I’m not back. But I wanted to tell you are my Suey sauce and every day I was away from you, I missed you very much.”

“I love your daddy. I’m sorry I was mad at you and I didn’t say goodbye.”

He hugs her, “aww Susan, it’s okay. You may never understand why I went but remember I’ll always be close to you and I love you always.”

“I love you too, Daddy.”

“Good bye Susan.”

“Good bye, Daddy.”

Her father fades into the consuming light. Susan skips back to the balloon with a lopsided grin.

“Come on Susan, I better get you home to your mother or she’ll worry.”

Before the balloon ascends, Susan picks up Lizziebelle and hugs her, “Thank you Lizziebelle.” Lizziebelle’s heart warms and happiness fills her body.

The balloon lifts up, Lizziebelle mutters to the sky, “Maray a little help.”

A strong wind begins, Susan holds onto the side of the balloon, laughing. They shoot through clouds. Lizziebelle looks over the side and sees Susan’s house. Not wanting to draw attention to herself, they land in a neighbor’s yard.

“Run home, Susan. Your mother needs you.”

Susan stumbles out, “will I see you again?”

“No, my work is done.”

Susan strokes her head, “goodbye Lizziebelle.”

“Bye Susan.”

Once Susan is on the sidewalk, Lizziebelle gets out of the balloon and it dissipates into the day. Hearing happy screams and chattering of seeing daddy, Lizziebelle hops back to her lake.
***

Lizziebelle sits on her favorite lily pad and watches the lonely blink of the fireflies. Maray whispers against the reeds, “you did well Lizziebelle. You may not have as many assignments but you are special and the ones you are given, need only you.” Lizziebelle smiles and sings with the crickets.

A Special Thanks to Eastside Mommy Eastside Mommy for help with this story!!!

Category: weekly shorts

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