223,000 strikes of Paint

The Darkest Dance

I picked up my cauldron and set it under the moonlight.

"Macy, are you sure this will work?"

I turn in the darkness towards the voice and roll my eyes.

"Nelly, a million times I told you, yes, it will work." I gaze at the stars shining bright and smile.

"Look how beautiful the stars shine."

Nelly scoots closer towards me.

"It's spooky out here, Macy."

Nelly tugs on my cloak.

"How much longer?" She whines, "I'm cold!"

I shiver under my cloak and rub my hands together

"I set my cauldron out to charge under the moonlight, just one more thing left!" I say cheerfully.

I look at Nelly and pick up a shovel. I shove it in the ground and pull it out. "This is a good place to bury the jar, hand it over." Nelly hands me the jar filled with honey, rose petals, and a dash of cinnamon.

"Dig the hole while thinking of him, gently put the jar in the dirt, blow the jar a kiss, and bury it." I instruct as I put the jar by where Nelly began to dig.

I smile at the moon and wave.

"Thank you for your blessings." I whisper as I admire the full moon.

I blow a kiss to the moon.

"Done!"

I look at Nelly and pick up the shovel. Let's head back home for now.

"Thank you, Macy."

She embraces me, I smile as we walk in the dark, the moon lighting our path.

I scruff her hair.

"No problem, kiddo," I chuckle.

I point at the night sky.

"The stars shine brightest in complete darkness."

Nelly tilts her head.

"It's spooky!'

She wails, rubbing her hands together.

I gently rub her head, and she smiles at me.

I smile and choke back tears.

"Even in the midst of the darkness, the stars shine." I whisper.

Nelly pokes my ribs.

"You already said that."

I stop walking and look at Nelly.

"Don't be afraid of the darkness,"

I pat her head. She looks at me.

"When the dark feels scary, just remember the stars will show you the way."

Nelly tilts her head

"What if it's dark during the day and there's no stars?"

I look at Nelly.

"Silly gooseberry, the sun is a star,"

I chuckle softly.

"Did you forget?"

Nelly shakes her head and looks at the grass.

"I don't know whatever I will do if Tommy doesn't ask me out!"

She lifts her head and meets my gaze. She sniffles and wipes her nose. I pat her back.

" I believe he is crazy if he doesn't."

Nelly jumps in front of me and wraps her arms around me.

"I love you so much!"

I squeeze her tightly and kiss her head.

"My shining star,"

I say as I grab her hands.

"Humans are pure star dust. We're each beautiful and unique."

I smile at her

'When times get hard, and darkness has fallen in life."

My voice cracks at the end, and tears fill my eyes. I sit down on a tree stump and wipe moisture from my eyes. I clear my throat and gently lift Nelly's chin up as she sat down beside me.

"I want you to know that life is never going to happen your way all the time."

I smile at her.

"When times get hard, and darkness has fallen in life. Never, ever forget you're star dust, and nothing can stop you. Not even rainy days. The stars prove that no matter what, you can still witness beauty in the darkest of nights.

Nelly looks at me and smiles.

"if Tommy doesn't ask me, then it's fine, his loss," she said with a smile.

I smile at her, feeling my heart fill with love and admiration at her acknowledgment.

We walk through the cottage door and warm up. as I added logs to the fire a few hours later, I looked at her sleeping peacefully, I knew for certain Tommy would ask her to dance.