Fireflies or Faeries?

Luce and Aylin sat quietly outside on the back porch one mild summer day, their legs dangling off the edge and their feet just grazing the tall grass beneath them. The sound of kitchen chairs getting knocked over, pots and pans shoved off the kitchen counter, and their parents' loud voices was the reason the girls sat outside; for they hated to be inside when this happened. More and more since the last week, the porch served as one of the few bastions from the intense chaos from within.

"Aylin?" little Luce said softly.

"Hmm?" Aylin answered lazily.

"Why is Daddy mad at Mama?"

Aylin sighed. She knew exactly why her parents were fighting-they didn't love each other anymore. But Aylin couldn't bear to tell her little sister that; it would break her heart. "I don't know, Lu."

"Did Mama do something?"

"Mom didn't do anything."

"Then why--?"

"I don't know, Luce, okay?"

Luce sighed and rested her small head in her dainty hands.

Aylin pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs feeling scared and worried for her mother. She knew her mother had done nothing wrong, and her father had no right to take his anger out on her. Frustrated tears stung Aylin's eyes the more she thought about it.

"Aylin?" Luce murmured again, staring off into the forest of trees that bordered their backyard.

"What?" Aylin sniffed and wiped away a stray tear.

"Did you . . . Look, do you see that?" Luce pointed a small finger to where she had been staring.

Aylin squinted into the evening sun. "See what?"

"They look like fireflies."

"But the sun's just setting. Why would they be out so early?"

Luce sat up and looked closer. "Aylin, I don't think they're fireflies."

"I think you're just seeing spots from staring at the sun."

"Aylin, stop. I'm serious. Just look, see?"

Aylin sat up and peered into the sunset forest, shading her eyes from the almost-blinding sun. Sure enough, she could just make out the firefly-like figures flying and dancing in the distance as well.