Out of the Blue

Out if the Blue

9

The wind started to pick up the next day. Winds were about thirty mph. Driving to work with Andrew took longer then usual. Winds were whistling through the doors of the old truck. Trees were knocked down all around the town.

Something was different about Andrew. His caring eyes more stern, and full of worry. He really didn't smile or laugh on the way there. Was he mad? Work was typical. Andrew hardly said a word to her all day. It was now break and one of the few words that he spoke to Stephanie that day was "I'll be right back. Going out." After Andrew left Stephanie walked up to Ms. Darla.

"Is Andrew alright? He's been acting strange." Stephanie told her.

"Oh I'm not sure. He said he was working on a project or something of that sorts." She looked at Stephanie with a frown saying I don't know.

For the rest of the day, she fed the fish and cleaned up any trash that flew into the outdoor exhibits and tanks,alone, Andrew hadn't arrived back yet. The wind continually picked up through out the day. It was now heading up to forty-five mph. Because of the wind, Ms. Darla closed up early. When they were about to leave Andrew came walking in.

"We just closed up" Stephanie said sharply.

"Perfect" was all Andrew said before he grabbed Stephanie's arm and pulled her to his truck and sped the truck forward. The sky was a soup of swelling ,swirling dark gray clouds. Trees severely leaned from the force of the wind. Recognizing the route he was driving, Stephanie knew where they were headed.

"Andrew it's too dangerous. The wind isn't safe to go."

"It's fine. I have to show you something." Was all he said for the rest of the ride. A radio full of static and the whistling of the wind occupied the silence for the rest if the drive. When the finally arrived, broken branches were scattered in the clearing. They carefully ran towards Miranda falls. The wind sent a tree down to the ground just beside a trail when they were half way to the pool. When they arrived, Stephanie finally saw why they came. Painted on the side of the waterfall in a magnificent pearl shade, were the words "Miranda Falls, your love flows in me forever like the water of this pool:1973-2011" In beautiful cursive. With the water, reflections of sea green and a watery purple were revealed at the right angles. Around the message,was a boarder of vines from the rock intertwined with delicately white daffodils, pinned in place in the cracks of the rocks.

Stephanie stood speechless. It was beautiful. She didn't know what to say. Or if she should say anything at all. She just stared. Andrew looked over at Stephanie with a smile then looked back at the painting.

"My mom," Andrew finally spoke, loud enough to hear over the howling wind, " tomorrow is her birthday. Tomorrow is also the day she was officially found out at sea. My dad said they found her in a cave on one of the smaller uninhabited islands. Her boat was crashed. But she found what she was looking for. Two white Hawaiian daffodils. The rarest in Hawaii. She, um, my, um, Dad, well... My dad said her last words were "I love you. Tell Andrew I'm unbelievably proud of him and that I love him. Rarity it beauty because it is hardly ever seen. Love is rarity because it is hardly ever shown. But I see it every day in.." " Andrew whipped his face, clearing the forming tears and his voice started to strain but he continued on. " She never finished. at that moment she passed away in my dad's arms. He took the two flowers and had them grow in our garden at home, there are about fifty white Hawaiian daffodil plants at my house now. I dug out the best ones and placed them here. They will still grow, but they need to settle in the rock for three days to stay permanently."

Stephanie noticed that his face was streaked with tears. She suggested they leave because of the wind picking up even more. When they got to the truck she just stared at is watery blue eyes. She hugged him. Tightly. She started to cry herself. they hugged for what seemed like forever but rushed into the car when a branch fell five yards away from them.