Page 88 - Reason To Sing by Kelita Haverland

Reason To Sing

Jimmy laughs a little, without opening his eyes. “It’s just
going to make you feel a little happy.”
“That’s it?”
“Yup. Now just put your pretty little feet up and enjoy the
music.” We do as we’re told. Vian and I both squeeze into the
red bean-bag chair across from Jimmy. I can feel it enveloping
us, like a giant hug.
The clock ticks away as I wait for something to happen.
I don’t really notice anything different. I’m not feeling
super happy and I don’t feel any more relaxed.
But then … Whoa!
All of a sudden, it’s like a thick blanket of pure maple
syrup pouring over my head, right down to the very tips of my
toes. My entire body is engulfed in goo! I am feeling so heavy,
heavier than I have ever felt before. Every nerve in my body
is aquiver. Like I am finally waking up for the first time in my
life! I feel so alive. Every inch of me is beginning to tremble.
This must be how a Christmas tree feels when its lights have
been turned on for the first time.
I’m not sure how much time passes as Vian and I lie silently
in our chair but Jimmy soon excuses himself to go to bed. He’s
standing above us, looking down like he’s a giant.
“Goodnight girls. Have a fun night,” he grins. “I’ll see you
later tomorrow.”
We don’t answer. I feel like my lips are sealed with maple
syrup. All I can do is lean against my sister and melt even
deeper into the millions of tiny beans in our chair. They’re not
really beans, are they?
I am lost in the music, feeling something I’ve never felt
before. My guess is Vian is the same. Time stands still, like it
doesn’t even exist. Nothing moves. I’m not sure if I will ever
want to leave from this glorious place.

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