The Long Journey of Emily B. Harthwan

Charlie's Journey Home

"Oh, um..." I stuttered. I didn't know what to say. I was so embarrassed. "I didn't know you were..." "Haha," he laughed. "It's ok Emily." I took a step back. "H-how do you know my name?" I said. I didn't even mention my name. "Your parents talk about you a lot." He said with a small, innocent smile. "I'm Charlie and yes, you guessed it, I'm blind." Despite my "people fear", Charlie seemed...well...nice. "Hello Charlie," I said grabbing his hand to shake it. "I'm...well you already know me." "No I don't," he said, laughing. "A name is nothing more than a name." Wow. He was the most beautiful guy I had ever seen. "No stop it Emily." I scolded to myself. "No guys...yet."

After dinner for the first time with my family, I went back outside to see Charlie. "Hello?" I shouted. I saw his head pop out from behind the fence. "Hello Emily B." he said with his cute little smile. He moved his hand to try to find mine. I held on to it. It was warm but firm. I felt my cheeks turn bright red. "Have you ever been to the park downtown?" He said.

I haven't been downtown in so long. Ever since my brother died, I vowed no one would ever see my face again. I felt my heart beating so fast I thought it was going to fall right out of its place. I was holding on to his arm, to help guide him along. It was awkward at first, but I knew he needed it. Finally, we reached Little Frank's Park. "Where do you want to go first?" I asked. "Hmm," he wondered. "How bout the swings?"

"What color are these swings?" Charlie asked after we sat down. I had never bothered to think about it before. I guess that shows how much we take color for granted. "Red," I said, noticing it for the first time. "I wish I could see color again." he said. "I used to be able to see color, though I don't remember it." He was smiling again. "I believe life is a voyage, and I'm not home yet. This is just a pit stop." It was in that moment, when I looked into his gray,glassy eyes, that I saw my brother, and I knew we were going to get along.

For a while we just sat, enjoying the cool breeze. When out of nowhere, Charlie sat up. His eyes grew three sizes over. "What? What is it?" I asked. "W-white." he said. "He began to smile. "I-I can see the color white!" His smile was so big I thought for sure it would break. "Does that mean..?" I began to ask. He shook his head yes. I knew what that meant. He was beginning to see color again. Then, with a bust of adrenaline inside of me, I ran to him, cupped my hands around his face, and kissed him.