Page 20 - Diane Musgrove Issue

INCREDIBLE KIDS OF SAN DIEGO
hree daughters, 48 states, one trailer, 14 years of my life.
my very own handwriting. The me, you don't want to see that." It feels like I am Peter Pan, who has forgotten about Nev-
loopy letters spelled my mantra, he said somberly, "I can help you erland. A place that must be forgotten in order to keep
the thought that runs through without you needing to know Tit special. It’s been decades since we were those children
my head at least once a day. "Lo- your original fate." I laughed. here, and it’s been over a decade since I’ve seen or spoken to my
tus flowers meant rebirth to my "But that's the thing, isn't it," I Dad. But here he is, in a tiny black box. The river calling out to
mother. They grew in disgusting began, "Doesn't this mean I was him, begging to sweep him away under its waves.
waters and turned into perfectly meant to die soon? That it was I sat on my knees in the middle of the field, halfway between
crafted flowers. Is that what God's plan or something?" The the road and the river. It was very windy and very warm. The high
grass surrounded me, and my hair tickled my shoulders as the
she hoped for herself? For me? ghost shook his head, his face wind whipped it into submission. I couldn’t seem to take another
Could that be me?" turning pale with defeat. "Not step, so I sat there for a moment, on my knees, in the hot sun,
"Are you okay?" the boy this. These types of deaths were taking in what was about to happen. I wrestled with my thoughts
asked me after a moment. I never his plan." I loosened my as I held back the tears of the gravity of the situation. I clutched
wiped at my wet eyes with the hold on the book. onto a small black box in my arms, holding it tightly to my chest.
sleeve of my jacket. "Who are "Go ahead. Open it. See for It all felt like such a loss, not just his death but also his life. It all felt
you?" I sputtered, laying the yourself! Just don't say I didn't so futile, and I was left with so many questions.
book closed on the table. He warn you. Either way, I'll make The river was only a few yards ahead of me. I could hear its
shrugged sadly, his mournful sure you stay safe and alive." rushing waters and the wind blowing through the leaves of the
trees surrounding the river bank. I can feel that it wants to car-
gaze resting on the book. I began I looked down at the book. ry him down, swallow him whole, nourish its plants and trees. It
to turn the pages to the end. He It seemed to grow in weight, or wants to use his body to feed the flowers and the fish. It wants to
slammed the book close on my was it just my imagination? Did transform his energy into growth. I feel a magnetic pull between
hand, ignoring my cry of pain. I want to do this? Would there his ashes that I’m clutching onto and the river in front of me.
"I already told you! The be any going back? The boy I ask the river if there is some other way. But I know it must be
recent drawings can show your watched me helplessly. His face done; he must go, and he can never return. I’ll never get a chance
future!" he exclaimed, "You don't was wound with worry. I began to see him again in this lifetime. Our relationship has ended the
want to see that stuff..." I pulled to turn to the last page. He only way it could have. It was destined to end in sorrow and sad-
my hand out. "And why not? Do sucked in a sharp breath. ness. My father was a traveling preacher, singer, and the soul to
whom I was karmically bound through five different lifetimes.
I die?" I asked teasingly, holding I'd be stabbed to death. I'd
my wrist as I opened and closed be murdered. Murdered by the
my injured hand. He stared at very man that grabbed my wrist
me for a long time before saying, on the bus the other day. There
"Yes, you die. And I didn't like was a moving countdown on the
how it happened or how soon it page. I'd have two days, twen-
occurred." I shot out of my seat, ty hours, thirty-two minutes,
knocking into the table. I caught and fifteen, fourteen, thirteen
my coffee cups before any traces seconds to live. "Soon, huh?" I
of it could spill. "Soon? And croaked. The boy jumped to my
what?! I die horribly??" I shouted aid. "Everything will be fine. I
at him, slamming the cups won't let him hurt you," he an-
down. The barista gave me a nounced as he pulled the book
funny look, and I quieted. "Was out of my hands, tossing it onto
this the thing you were gonna the table. He kneeled directly
help me with?!" I hissed, "Why in front of me, saying, "We're in
didn't you approach me earlier?" this together now. You and me.
The boy was quick to answer. The lotus flower and the ghost."
"My plan was to save you on I looked at him, my face twisted
the last day!" he cried. I scoffed, with sadness, rage, and fear. "We
"Yeah?! How! You were gonna won't let these murky waters
sweep me away or something?! drown you. You will survive."
How do you know if it would the boy said. I nodded. It was
even be possible to save me from all I could do. But how do you
my death!" He quickly glanced prevent a murder when you're
at the book. I hugged it towards the one being killed?
my chest before he could make a
move to grab it. Laya Grace Aichle
"Give me the book," he layaaichle@gmail.com
ordered. I shook my head. "Trust

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