The Leaf

1940's

All it took was one leaf for me to see him for the first time.

Although, that wasn't the first time we met. I knew Michael all my life. His mother had died when she gave birth to him. Daddy told me she used to work for us; I was too young to remember. She had helped raised daddy when he was little, and she had had Michael at a late age. So, Daddy looked after Michael more than any of the others. I always sensed Michael was his favorite. Even though, he wasn't the strongest. He was fragile, but daddy used to say he had a strong heart. I never spoke to him until that day. I was only seven.

It was the first week of September, the red-hot sun shimmered against my skin as I sat on the porch, yet there was a slight wind that blew heavy heat. It was humid and muddy as if it was the mid of July. But, the leaves were beginning to change colors; showing fall was soon upon us: my favorite season. It meant change, I loved to watch the leaves suddenly transform into bright colors, harmoniously coexisting before they slowing decease. That beautiful moment happen only within that season, only for that moment. I wish it could last longer.

"I reckon you'd like this one." Michael said, his small statue allowed him to stare me in the eyes as I sat. His dark brown eyes brighten almost in a dreamy way, his caramel skins glisten in the sun. Momma told me to be scared of the color men. They're all filthy animal, branded by god for us to be warn of the devil within them. But I wasn't scared of Michael; there was something gentle about him. He handed me the leaf and for a second his hand touched mine. A colored had never touched me before, but his touch reminded me of daddy's; gentle yet coarse from a hard day's work.

"I thought it was unique." He continued his eyes focused on me. The leaf was vibrant yellow on one side and coolant red on the other and down the middle it had a soft green, the most beautiful leaf I had ever seen. "Wow, it sure is!" I couldn't contain my excitement.

It didn't faze Michael; he stuck his hands in his overall's pockets and heading out. I wanted to say something to him, but I was speechless. He had given such a wonderful gift, such a unique gift. Yet, I had no words in return for him. Once he got off the porch, he turned around to face me, one last time before heading in the fields, "I reckon you keep it in a safe place. Like a bible, you're supposed to keep those types of things forever."

Since that encounter, I was obsessed with Michael.

It wasn't as if Michael minded, we were around the same age and saw each a lot. He was always with daddy working. And I was always nearby; joking, talking, listening and watching Michael. Daddy didn't seem to mind neither; he thought I was there to keep him company. If he only knew, I was there to see Michael...

Michael never made it obvious though because he hardly spoke. Daddy mostly would be the one talking. "What's in that head of yours, boy?" Daddy would ask him from time to time. But, Michael would shrug it off and smile shyly. I would always expect Daddy to say something cruel about him but he never did. He would pat him on his back and with a smile tell him get back to work. Michael was a hard worker. Daddy loved that about him.

Quiet he was with his lips but Michael eyes told a different a story. His bright brown dreamy eyes would lie upon mine once every day, when daddy wasn't looking. Just for a second, sometimes two or if I was really lucky three and in that moment, I knew Michael and I spoke the same language. He was just as obsessed as I was.

It was during my teen years; Michael and I began to meet up daily when daddy wasn't around. The dusty road would only allow the school bus to drop me off a mile away for my house which was surrounded by the forest. And, Michael would wait for me; on the right of the slingshot tree, always greeting me with a special leaf he found on the way there.