Post by Melody Redgaze on May 17, 2009 19:56:45 GMT -5
Elinor Francis trudged up the hill. It was her and Timothy’s twenty year anniversary. She was walking up this blasted hill for she wanted to buy her husband something lovely. Now, the Fancises weren’t the wealthiest of couples, so she only had a ten dollar bill in her pocket. She opened the door to the music store and searched it for the perfect gift. Tim played the flute, and his mouthpiece was getting old. Elinor wanted to buy him a new mouthpiece and some reeds for him. Finally she had found it. The silver tube with perfectly spaced out holes for your fingers to cover up, it glowed when the lights hit it just right.
She picked it up off the shelf and could very much so imagine Timothy Francis sitting in the garden on the swing that he had made a few years ago. The sun was setting across the delicate light blue that faded to a very subtle red and the clouds glowed pink, his music floated throughout the valley. Tiny lights flew around him, fireflies. It was so peaceful, a breeze swept through the trees and made his flute-playing sound magical and wonderful, she just had to get him the new mouthpiece and reeds.
She looked at the tag and it read ‘fifty dollars’. She frowned in sadness, what was she to get him now? That is what he truly wanted. She went up to the counter and put the mouthpiece and reeds up on it. She turned her silver bracelet around her wrist, looking at the intricate little charms that adorned it. “Can I trade you this bracelet for this?” She pointed a thin finger at the mouthpiece and the reeds. The clerk looked them over.
“Of course you can hon.” Elinor took off her bracelet, sad to part with its wonderful and amazing memories that it held. But, she was also happy to be bringing home this wonderful anniversary gift for Timothy. She left the store with a lovely gift in her hand, the door opening made a little bell chime and she trudged down the hill towards home.♦______________________________♦
Timothy Francis rode the bus into town, hoping to find something lovely for his wife for their twenty year anniversary. He strode down the wide lane towards the jewelry store. He already had a gift idea in mind. Tim noticed how much Elinor was fond of her charm bracelet. Every new place they went, she got a new charm or for her birthday or Christmas. He so wanted to buy her a new special charm just for their twenty year anniversary.
He opened the door to the jewelry store, a tiny bell rung loudly to announce his presence. He pushed his dark hair out of his face and moved through the isles. His brown eyes searched for the perfect charm. Up and down the silver shelves his eyes went, looking at all the charms. He stopped, this was hopeless. There were thousands of charms in this store! He scrunched up his face in discouragement.
Suddenly, he saw it. A small, silver cat with sapphires for eyes was buried in the mound of other charms. He picked up the charm with a shaking hand and looked over it. He wanted to leap for joy that he had found his gift for his dear wife, but he didn’t for it would be childish. He walked quickly over to the counter to pay for it. When he reached it, he realized that the charm cost a hundred dollars. His eyes widened, surely it was a mistake. “Excuse me, miss…” He squinted his eyes to read the clerk’s nametag, “Mary?”
“Yes?” She said looking up from her book titled BRILLIANCE: a philosopher’s guide to life. She was a tiny, pixie-like woman with short spiked red hair and funky-shaped glasses, her blue eyes bore into Timothy with a force.
“Is this price right?” He showed her the charm’s price.
“Yes siree!” She exclaimed, “This particular charm was hand-made in India.” She smiled brilliantly because she knew this.
Timothy frowned, “I haven’t any money to pay for it…” He looked at the charm with defeat.
Running around the corner, a small little girl with curly blonde hair appeared at the counter. “Mommy! My flute’s broken!” A light bulb showed above Timothy’s head.
“Excuse me, Mary? I have a flute to replace your daughter’s…would she like it?” The man suggested and the clerk had a relieved and greatful look upon her face.
“We’d love it! And, let me make a deal with you,” Her voice turned into a whisper. “I’ll give you this charm for your flute, have we got a deal?”
Timothy smiled and took out his flute. He was obviously sad to part with its wooden structure. He turned it over in his hands, remembering the countless days he had spent in their garden playing it. He put it on the counter and the clerk gave it to her daughter and Tim walked out of the place with the charm in his hands.♦______________________________♦
Elinor paced around the house. Timothy was late, very late. Tons of unlikely events and the worst answers entered her brain. Maybe the bus turned over. Maybe he was mugged in an alleyway of the town. Maybe a weight was dropped on his head and he was fainted. Her face drained of color and her pale blue eyes glared at the door, hoping her husband would burst through the door.
Finally, he did. Timothy opened the door and Elinor rushed into his arms. He embraced her and whispered, “Happy anniversary.” His voice was very romantic and sweet.
“Where have you been?” She attacked him.
Timothy just laughed and handed her a tiny box wrapped in silver wrapping, a mischievous smile spread across his broad face. She looked at him with a cocked head and smiled lightly, handing him a box slightly larger than the one she had been given. They both teared at the paper like children at Christmas. Once they had taken out their gifts they each stared at each other, speechless.
Elinor lifted the tiny charm and marveled over it, it was gorgeous. “Timothy…” Her voice faded and a sad look spread over her face, not wanting to disappoint him she put on a fake smile and squeezed it to her chest. “I love it!” She just held it gently in her thin fingers and stared at it with a lost look.
Timothy lifted the new shiny flute mouthpiece and reeds and smiled, but then realized he had sold his flute. He frowned for a moment, but put on his fake smile and hugged her. “Ellie I absolutely love it!” He said and looked at the new gift. “Well, what are you waiting for, let’s see that new charm on your bracelet,” Tim urged.
“Honey,” Elinor bit her lip and shifted uncomfortably. “I sold the bracelet to buy your flute stuff.” She looked at her feet and didn’t say anything. After a few minutes she lifted her head and stared at his chest. “But, let’s see how that mouthpiece works!” She said, trying desperately to change the subject.
“My precious pansy,” He said with a slight sense of humor. “I sold the flute to buy your charm.” He smiled so big that it almost reached his eyes and burst out laughing. Soon, Elinor was laughing along with him. What a happy anniversary.
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