The City of Family

I see people every day. They come and go, looking at the beautiful sights and the sun shining down. I'm not very busy on rainy days, but Julie comes to visit. She's my only friend. She talks to me all time, unlike most people who will mumble a hello and goodbye. Julie comes every day, even when it rains. She sets up a picnic and we talk. I know she probably can't hear me, but she always knows what I say in my head. She's pretty too! With her long, straight, brown hair mostly pulled up into two pigtails or has a pink barrette to pull back her bangs; she puts all the sights of the mountains and rivers to shame. She makes me look bad, even though people will come to see me.

She came to visit me Sunday afternoon for lunch, after church and it started raining while she was here. She pulled out her umbrella and laughed at the way the rain made sounds against the plastic. She packed up and went home before her mom got mad at her for being late for supper.

"BYE!" She shouted and waved frantically to me. I love when she does that. She's so full of spirit and life.

The next day, she didn't come. It was weird. She never missed our lunches and when she didn't come after supper, I started to get worried. I tried to track her the way she came, but I then remembered that I couldn't go far. In fact, I could barely move at all.

Finally, the Tuesday, she came after supper.

"I'M SORRY!" She ran to me and collapsed onto the grass. She wore different cloths. Looks to be a uniform of some sorts. I hugged her.

It's okay.

"No. It's not. My mommy made me go to school. I trwied to come for lunch, but I got in trwouble." Her cute tiny voice mispronounced the words. I was mad. She can't be taken away from me.

"I'll come after supper though. Don't wowwy." Somehow, it made all my worries go away. I wasn't scared that there might me a thunder storm tomorrow or how many kids would pull my hair. I just hugged her until she fell asleep in my arms and her mom came to get her. She gently picked Julie up and brought her home. Somewhere I couldn't go. Somewhere I could never go.

Wednesday, she didn't come. She didn't come on Thursday or Friday either. Saturday she came with one ponytail on the back of her head and a sandwich, instead of her usual picnic basket, blanket and umbrella. I was confused, but she sat on the grass and ate.

"Hi." She mumbled. I have so many questions for her.

How's school?

"I made friends."

That's great! What are their names?!

"Jessica, Michael and Kyle."

I'm so proud of you. Where have you been this past week?

"School." She still had the life in her and it made me feel alive.

I understand.

"Don't be sad. I still love you." Then she hugged me. It felt good. She finished her sandwich. "I have to go home now." She said and stood up and started to walk away, but turned around. "BYE!" She shouted the same.

After a year of Julie coming to visit me on the weekends, I started getting lonely. After three years, I started to wither in loneliness.

How come you never visit anymore? I asked one Sunday afternoon.

"I'm always so busy. My friends think I'm weird."

Then they don't see you for who you really are.

"Thanks." She smiled really cutely.

She visits everyday over the summer still and we enjoy our lunches. I find myself looking forward to when I get to see her. She tells me about her friends and how mean Jessica was being or how much she likes Kyle. Michael moved schools when she was in grade 5. I listen intently and savor the way she talks and how enthusiastic she is about her life and/or her day. She is getting taller and changing the way she looks. She cut her hair before she started grade 6. She came early in the morning to show me that day. Full of joy, but she was growing up.