Precious as the Stars... Part 1

Precious as the Stars

Chapter 1

That flowing hair, those sparkling eyes, I could have sworn that it was Elle. I yelled in glee, looking like a complete idiot in the process. It was as though nothing could ruin the day. I kept blasting the whistle in my excitement, probably making a noise loud enough to wake the dead in the process. My eyes are only on the woman and everything else was drowned out. Perhaps it was the sudden clawing on my face or the sudden bitter taste of feathers that shocked me back to reality. I heard the sound of a motorboat engine whirring to life and to my disappointment, the woman was on it. She was riding towards town.

I would have given chase, had I not had a massive gash down my left cheek. “Wasn’t my fault you slammed into my face!” I cursed after the bird that was the cause of my misfortune. Not that it would do any good because it was now a mangled corpse starting to sink beneath the lake’s surface.

I walked up to the tree and fondly stroked the bark. The carving was still there, surprisingly and I smiled when I read it “D + E Forever” I sighed softly, missing the old times. I felt the sting of the gash and decided to tend to it before chasing after love. Elle just might have freaked out had she seen me in that condition.

I jumped into the boat and sped towards my house. It wasn’t too long a trip but I couldn’t help but wince as the air streamed past my face. I felt blood trickle down my chin, but I didn’t mind. Well, I didn’t until the wind blew a sizable drop into my eye. At that point, I bit my lip to prevent a curse, but probably a little too hard because I felt my lip sting too.

I got off the boat and walked up to the house. Fortunately, no additional pain was met, but I managed to bang my hip against the door knob. I opened the medicine cabinet and cleaned the wound in front of a mirror and grimacing with every other dab of the painful cleanser.

I ate lunch when I felt my stomach’s not so subtle protests. Unfortunately, a wave of lethargy swept over me and I felt no urge to move, much less chase after an unknown girl. I wasn’t even sure if she was Elle. That realization had dawned on me after a particularly painful dab of the hydrogen peroxide soaked cotton. That had been a complete bummer. I hoped though, that it was her. The eyes and hair were so familiar I could not be mistaken. That look of surprised recognition was evidently another sign, although, I wasn’t sure if that was real and not just my imagination.

Another thought dawns on me. However, it is a very vague memory and I could barely remember it, perhaps because it was one of those nights when I was lured into inebriation. I could not remember the night much, but there was one thing that was clear as day. That made me sit bolt upright in my chair. Well, actually, there were two things that were clear, one, there was a very shady woman sitting at the far corner of the bar glaring death at me. The other one was that I was definitely sure I met Elle again on that night.

It shocked me to my core. I wanted to both laugh and cry, but no matter how hard I tried, I could remember that night no more. A sinking feeling entered my chest. If that really was Elle that I met on that night, why hadn’t she stayed? Why didn’t she remain in my arms after that night? The very thought haunted me. What if she had found another?

I tried to dismiss it, but my hands wouldn’t stop shaking. I almost drop the whistle, which I hadn’t realized I still had in my fist. I managed a weak smile, knowing that I would somehow see Elle again someday.

I sum up the courage to get in my boat and head for town to look for the woman who I thought was Elle. It took a good while to get into town, the docks not being that strong and all. I eventually start my search, though and I go to the first logical place Elle would go, her ancestral home. I walked up those steps and onto that still-familiar porch. I remembered her father and his wobbling walking stick. The sense of nostalgia was overwhelming, even if I had only set foot on that threshold once.

It all came rushing back, that one night that I met her parents. I laughed, remembering her dad’s wonderful first impression. A whack on the head with a walking stick isn’t really what you’d expect as a welcoming gift into your partner’s home, but that was Elle’s dad. Her mother was much more enthusiastic to meet me. Although the ruby red dress with matching shoes was a bit of overkill.

I entered the house looking here and there for any reminder of Elle’s family. There weren’t many things left. I rummaged in a cupboard and saw only broken china. I went up to what was once Elle’s room and I sat in a corner, the orange sunlight of the afternoon streaming through the window.

I laughed so hard a tear rolled down my cheek when I remembered how Elle’s mother had taken my head in her hands and sniffed it. Afterwards saying in a mystical tone of voice “I have deduced that this man is fine and I approve of him, Elle.” The incredulous look on Elle’s face was just precious. I couldn’t help but feel bitter that she had left the next day without so much as a goodbye. On that sour note, I left the house, noticing that no one was there.

I noticed something in the corner, a small sketchpad. I stifle a sob as I reach for it. The pages held drawings that were beautiful even if they were now faded. I saw a picture that really struck me; it was the first picture she had drawn when we were together. It was a picture of me, hanging out of the tree. Oh that brought back memories, but I was running out of time. I rushed down the stairs and hurtled down the street.

I stopped a while beside old man Cesar’s hut to pay him respect. He had been the only reason why I was able to spend time with Elle. I ran down an alley and catch a glimpse of a fair maiden at its opening. Heart pounding, I gave chase. I caught up to her and tapped her shoulder. She turned around and there she was, so familiar, so beautiful, but something was up, she looked too young. She looked at me with a puzzled expression, though. “Can I help you?” she told me.

“Umm… I guess…” I replied. “Do you know anyone named Elle who used to live here?” I asked in earnest.

“Oh, you mean mom?”