Center Stage

t h i r t e e n

•2:28 am•

The dusty and disfigured fan spun above my head at a wild speed. The panels circles with such force that the fan itself shook. A Dumbo figurine hanging from the bronze chain swung along, keeping in time with the rhythmic motion. The little elephant that toted the infamous ears was a gift I'd received on my thirteenth birthday, and the associated story is one I'll never forget.

Josh, Taylor, a few other friends, and I were seated on a broad blanket in the far corner of Old Mill Park, which was located just off the bank of the mighty Rappahannock . A delicious fruit platter was in the center, it's token items all torn off by our ravenous fingers. Taylor had brought the treat, while Josh just brought a bottle or two of soda. On the other side of the blanket, next to a girl whose name has sadly escaped my mind, was a humble stack of gifts. They were all of modest size, the largest of the few being a pack of green spiral notebooks that I have undoubtedly used, or lost.

Atop the pile was a tiny object that had been coated in several layers of tissue paper and festive blue wrapping paper. When it came time to open the presents, no one was certain of who'd brought the minuscule figurine. As I opened it, everyone was on the edge of their seats. The sender of the gift was unknown and unnamed, but, when opened, I spotted a handwritten note written on one of the many layers of paper.

'For Matthew, my crush that I'm a little too shy to introduce myself to. Enjoy this little figure, I hope you like it. Sincerely, S.'

Taken by abrupt surprise, I didn't notify my friends of my discovery. In fact, they still have no idea about the note. It's something I wish to keep to myself, if I'm honest.

Upon reading the note, I quickly scanned the area, wondering who could have given me this gift, but there was not a person in sight. Was it a joke played by one of my fellow classmates, or did someone sincerely write this letter?

I tore open the last remaining strip of paper and revealed the Classic Disney figure. It was fragile and dainty, yet the colors were vivid and bold. The bright yellow and red shades reminded me of a hot, summer day, like that of my birthday. Rotating the small figure in my hands, a small photograph peeking out from Dumbos feet caught my attention. Just looking at it, anyone could tell that it had been torn in half. In the picture was a large, brick house with ivory columns and a fountain in front. Well, the photo only showed one side of it, obviously. Little did I know that I would be wondering who lived in that house for years upon years.

Snapping out of my nostalgic daydream, I inhaled the musty air that hung in my plain bedroom. The scent was that of dust and cheap cologne.

I never spent much time at home, seeing as my mother was a heavy drinker and my father had taken the fateful train to Goneville a solid ten years ago. My mother was never a topic I wished to have brought up. Josh and Taylor had become close enough to know not to touch on it. Thankfully, they never mentioned my dad. It was almost as if the very man who I resembled closely never existed.

I walked over to my desk, brushed an ominous pile of papers aside, and picked up a small blue notebook. Blue was my favorite color, it always had been. I flipped through the blank, lined pages until I finally reached the page marked with a dog ear. When I did, half of a Kodak picture fluttered to the floor. I dropped the spiral bound book onto my desk and plopped to the floor. Noise was no concern to me; my mother had surely passed out already.

I plucked up the small, glossy paper and held it with shaky hands. That familiar, torn photograph of the mysterious house stared back at me, rekindling copious amounts of thoughts and unanswered questions.

Then I noticed it, I knew that house. In fact, it wasn't even in Woodbridge, or all of Prince William County for that matter.