It all Began and Ended with a Tree... Part 7

Hold your horses! Have you read the first Chapter? No? Well here's the link: Chapter 1

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It all Began and Ended with a Tree
Chapter 7

I run down the parched road. I run past a few trees with lush green leaves. I run for what seems an eternity. I stop just in front of Old man Cesar. I look at him. My eyes are a mixture of pain and reluctance.

“Take me to Dave!” I throw all caution to the wind and I grab old man Cesar’s shirt. I shake him and his white hair into disarray.

“Why? What’s the matter? You seem so shaken? I don’t see why you would be.” Then and there, I take note that old man Cesar was a great actor.

“I overheard you and your friend talking. Take me to Dave!” He stubbornly refuses my demand. He gently holds my hands and takes them off of his shirt.

“Elle, there’s nothing you can do. I don’t want to put Dave into bigger trouble than he is already. You want to go to him, go yourself.” He grabs my forearm and takes me to his speedboat. He teaches me how to make it run. After a while, I think I have the reins and I take off, leaving old man Cesar drenched in water.

I am quickly exasperated. I wasn’t able to ask how to steer. Luckily, the wind was blowing in the direction of our shore. I let the engine die and allow the wind to take me back home.

“You happy now?” Old man Cesar looks at me. His voice carried somewhat a twang of sympathy. I growl, surprisingly. I turn my back on him and I trot back to the house indignantly. I eat dinner half-heartedly. Mother looks at me sympathetically. I go up to my room, shut myself in and I try my best to fall asleep. The uncertainty is killing me, but I guess it won’t help to deprive myself of health.

The next day comes and I wake up dazed to the sound of a rapping on my door. I mumble “Come in.” My speech is slurred. The door creaks open and I hear footsteps down the floor. The feeling is strangely eerie. I already know who it is and I get up squinting in the light. I ask all the same.

“Mom?”

“Indeed…”

“It’s so early…”

“Yeah, but you were too depressed last night to talk.”

“I guess so…”

“You know what, even if Dave isn’t the one for you just now… You have to believe he is, after all, what have you to lose?”

“I guess so. Thanks mom…” I’ve never felt so comfortable. Take my word for it. I’m never going to take mom for granted ever again. Just her presence has proven a mighty tool in the war against depression.

“Don’t worry… It will all be over soon…” She takes something from behind her. At first it looks like something long wrapped in cloth. It’s like a knife with a long handle. I think it’s just that. My heart jumps, but more of the object is revealed.

It’s a crucifix. The stipes and patibulum are very distinct. Mom hangs it up on the wall at facing my bed. I stare at it in wonder. It is exquisitely crafted, the wood is finely polished. The ends of the beams are covered with finely wrought gold. The image of Christ is so real upon it.
“Elle, belief is powerful, but it is not enough. You have to act upon it. Nothing will work unless you do.”

Her words echo in my mind long after she leaves the room. She’s just precious. I realize I would have to talk to her more. Usually, I just sit beside dad and have as lively a conversation as possible. More often than not, it’s a one sided conversation. When it becomes a dialogue though, dad doesn’t utter anything but the occasional grunt. Wonderful conversationalist isn’t he?

Believing is a touchy subject. My “belief” is now concentrated on the possibility that Dave is in trouble. Anyway, something hits me like a slap. I always thought the expression “It suddenly hit me” was just figurative. As it turns out, it’s quite tactile.

I figure that there’s a slight chance that Dave’s at the island. I sneak out and I spot old man Cesar by the dock. I sit beside him not uttering a word. He looks at me, I look at him. My eyes carry the message. His eyes strongly disagree. Finally, he breaks.

“Fine, get in the boat.”

I refuse to move.

“Okay, I’ll teach you how to steer.”

Only then do I stand up and move towards the boat. I get in and so begin the lessons in steering. I find it is fairly straightforward. A feeling of apprehension shoots up in my chest. We aren’t even halfway there.

The moment the island swings in to clearer view, I finally manage to breathe. There, upon the beach is a young handsome man. He is walking up and down the sand. What catches me is the thoughtful expression on his face. It’s just striking.

There’s more to the wistful face of the boy than what is apparent. I see that there’s something more of like a burden I the way he trots up and down the beach, in the way he would heave his shoulders every once in a while… It’s both disconcerting and cute.

I might be giving off the wrong idea. It’s come into my mind before. As we get ever closer, I feel reluctance. Yes, I was so eager to go to the island and now I’m reluctant. I’m blaming my conflicting emotions for this.

The moment I step on the island, the cold reality of the situation sinks in. I have no idea what to say or what to do. I just stood there. Dave eventually saw me and his face immediately lit up. That makes me smile, but not for long.

Dave walks up to me and spreads his arms wide. I think he wants a hug. I gingerly open my arms too, then I do something neither of us expected. I slap Dave.

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Bittersweet reunion... hmph... Here's the next: It Stings