Fallen Tree

 

She skipped happily through the path of green leaves and sun faded flowers.  Her white dress flowed in the wind that she created and her curly hair bounced off her shoulders.  She couldn’t wait to get to the fallen tree.  She loved the way it had created a little alcove over the path and it became the perfect place for a picnic.

When she reached the spot of her retreat, she was greeted by a stern look of a little boy with big blue eyes.  He tilted his black cowboy hat and spit on the ground.  He then placed his hand on a black leather holster containing a plastic silver gun with a red handle. 

“Holt, who goes there,” he said with a southern draw

The little girl straightened her tiara, “The princess and your in my way.”

The little boy spit again, “Nope, this is my land and you’re trespassin’. Suggest you git.”

The little girl walked closer to him and tilted her head, “Nope, don’t think so. I’m the princess.”

She reached into her bag and pulled out a soft purple cloth and laid it on the ground.  The little boy looked at her dumbfounded. She just smiled softly and pulled out two sandwiches, two plastic cups, and plate of cookies.  She then motioned for him to sit and pulled out a thermos. Opening the thermos she poured kool-aid into the glasses. The little boy didn’t know what think.

“Why you got two of everything?” he asked.

The little girl smiled, “My momma always packs two. She says you never know when ya might run into a friend.  Please sit”

“You talk funny,” he responded.

“So do you.  You should eat.”

The little boy adjusted his cowboy hat and looked around confused, “I’m workin’. Protectin' my land from tressorpassors.”

The little girl rolled her eyes and placed a paper napkin on her lap, “Fine. It will be here when you’re done.”

The little boy stood there for a few minutes before slowly inching his way over to her.  He looked around and sat down across from the little girl.  He avoided eye contact, but the little girl could see him peaking through the corner of his eye. She smiled and handed him a cookie. He smiled softly and tipped his hat as a way of saying thanks.

“So what are you exactly?” she asked, “What are you supposed to be?”

The little boy looked offended, “I ain’t supposed to be nuttin’. I AM a cowboy.”

They locked eyes and smiled.

Everyday after that the little girl would go to the fallen tree and the cowboy would be waiting patiently.  She’d pick flowers as he guarded the path.  He protected her from the bugs and she’d make him lunch.  When he could not come out to play, there would be a jar with a butterfly in it and a flower sitting next to it. They both sat upon a wooden throne the little boy had made her. 

Here they stood twenty years later. The same fallen tree decked out with wild flowers and butterflies. A soft purple cloth lay upon the ground and the same little girl looked at him and smiled. The now manly cowboy no longer of a boyish face took her hand and kneeled down. With a ring in his hand, he smiled so big.

“Twenty years ago you made me your cowboy and today I ask to make you my wife.”

The little girl smiled as butterflies fluttered around, “Twenty years ago I was just a girl with a crown and today I feel like a queen.”

He slipped the ring upon her hand. No words were needed to say. They had a language all of their own created so long ago. It was a friendship grown from a fallen tree and a love of an equal fate.  There sat a princess and a cowboy living life their way.  Living in their own little world and still smiling at each other the same as they did that very first day.  

Copyright 2012 ~smh~