He Waits for Me

The first time I saw him I was four years old. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was playing outside, singing to my dollies. I could see my mother just inside at the kitchen window. She loved to cook and spent most of her time baking something. She smiled at me and waved when I looked up. She was beautiful. Everyone had always said so. I waved back and continued dancing. The day was bright and sunny. I twirled around and around letting my dress flow all around me. I was so lost in watching my dress and singing my song, I hadn't noticed how far I'd travelled. I'd come to the edge of the property right along the line of trees. It was as I turned to go back toward the house that I heard his nearly silent chuckle. I turned quickly and faced a man looking down upon me with amusement in his eyes. I looked at him for a moment stunned to see someone I didn't know. My mother had warned me not to talk to strangers. He knelt down to my level slowly so that he didn't frighten me. His hair was short, like my fathers, but a very dark brown. His eyes shown a beautiful grey color. He was much less scary once he knelt down. He smiled at me and handed me a flower. Being a young girl, I didn't question it. I simply plucked the flower from his hand. (I'd later learn that it was a tiger lily.) I put it to my nose and smelled. At this he laughed again, startling me. I looked up at him, ready to run back to my mother. He stopped his laughter quickly when he saw the fear etched on my face. Without saying a word he reached into the pocket inside of his jacket and pulled out a handkerchief. Ever so gently he brushed the cloth along my nose. I closed my eyes against the feeling. He stopped and I fluttered my eyes open. His face was close to mine and his eyes were intense.

"How does such a small child radiate such beauty?" He whispered against my face, his breath mingling with my own. I didn't know what to say, and so I didn't. Even as young as I was I knew that this was a profound moment. He seemed to notice how close he was and so stood up. His eyes didn't leave my own for a moment. I'm not sure how long we both stood there looking at each other. It seemed like time stood still. In those moments, much was spoken without ever being said. Finally the air around us seemed to thaw out. He gave me a small wave and turned and walked back into the woods. Once I could no longer see him, I seemed to come out of my trance. I had so much I wanted to ask him! What was his name? Did he live close? Was he coming to see my mother? I ran into the woods in the direction he had walked. I knew that I wasn't allowed to go into the woods. My mother would be very angry if she found out. But I couldn't help myself. I had to know who my new friend was and when I was going to see him again. I quickly realized that I had lost him. I stood there looking at my surroundings hoping to catch a glimpse of the man. When I had come to terms with the fact that he was gone, I turned and headed back toward my house. As I got to the edge of the tree line, I could hear my mother calling to me. I began to run. I didn't want her to know I'd been in the woods. I'd surely be scolded for it. As I passed my dollies I noticed that I didn't have the flower the man had given me. I must have dropped it somewhere when I ran after him. I half turned, tempted to go back and look for it. My mother's voice stopped me though. She was beginning to sound worried. I came up to her and hugged her legs.

"Marabel, where did you go? You've got mud on your pretty dress!"

I looked down and noticed all the mud along the hem of my pink dress. I knew that I'd be in trouble if I told her about my experience. So I did what any little girl would have done. I shrugged and let her lead me to my bath. Once I was clean and fed, I followed my mother to my bedroom so that she could read a story to me and tuck me in. I was tired after my eventful day and for once I was looking forward to bed time. As I approached my bed, I noticed the tiger lily I had thought I'd lost. It was laying on my pillow. I tried to reach it before my mother noticed, but of course my small hands were much too slow.

" Where did that come from?" My mother asked me. I could tell by the tone of her voice that either way I explained it, I was going to be trouble.

" I found it in the woods" I said meekly, my head hanging in shame.