Faeries Don'T Have To Work - LAZARUS (most read books .txt) 📗

not find out? I need to go back soon. So why not come with me?”
“Can I? Oh that would be wonderful!” She is happy as a child who is told that she will be going to the circus.
“When was the last time you were in a big city?” I ask her.
“Let me see…not too long ago. I remember watching a television show about a fat bus driver who had a goofy looking friend who lived in the same building. I think he was a worker down in the sewers.”
“My goodness! That was ‘The Honeymooners’.”
“Yes, that’s the name. Is that still playing?”
“No. If that’s the last time, my dear, you will be in for a culture shock. Things have changed a lot since those fifty years or more.”
She asks, “Do you think I look presentable?”
“Is there any way to make your eyes look smaller?”
“No problem…I can do anything. When can we leave?”
I tell her that I am planning to go in two days - this coming week-end. She is so thrilled that she jumps up and does a small dance. She calls me to join her, but I’m just happy to watch her…she looks so graceful…so childlike, yet she’s old enough to be my great grandmother.
I watch her and I’m truly grateful to be sitting here and enjoying all of this. It’s so magical…the place, the music, the faeries singing and dancing around the fire…and her. I think that I’ve just fallen in love with a faerie princess.


Chapter Nine

In the deep


The next day is as beautiful as always. The sun comes up to greet the new day. I wonder what’s in store for me today.
Mel is back in her old form, sleeping in her usual spot…in my jacket. And, no she didn’t sleep in an abandoned robin’s nest. She only had a small sip of my beer.
She is up before me and has already had her breakfast.
“Time for your next lesson. Swimming and diving. Diving without breaking a wing. Come on sleepy head, have your breakfast and put on your faerie clothes.”
‘What a nag’ I thought to myself, then laughed.
“What’s so funny, Cal?”
“Oh, nothing…nothing at all.” I say trying not to look her in the eye.
Well, I am a natural born student. At the moment, we are swimming under water and I’m doing it effortlessly. I’m even confident enough to take on those giant otters.
Mel says, “Let’s do it.”
So off we go, flying towards the far end of the lake.”Don’t fly so close to the water. This lake has all type of predators: Northern Pike, Muskie, Largemouth Bass and some mighty huge Gar. I’ve seen ducks disappear in one bite.”
In a fraction of a second I am now flying well above the water’s surface. I love to eat fish, but don’t relish the idea of me becoming their meal.
Soon, we spotted them. Two dark shadows just beneath the surface, leaving behind them a wake like some small boat.
“Follow my lead, and don’t do anything foolish, ok?” says Mel, as she dives into the lake.
With my heart beating a mile a minute, I follow suit.
Earlier, I had asked her exactly why we were doing this. She said, “Because it’s fun, plus it produces fear, which in turn produces adrenalin…and that heightens one’s ability to excel…to try even harder.”
As soon as we hit the water the two hairy beasts turn their attention to us. Mel is in front of me leading the attack. I, on the other hand, am trying my best to keep up. Suddenly, the beasts split up. One is heading towards me at a breakneck speed. I look at Mel and notice that she is heading straight at the other one. It looks as if they are going to collide head on. Just at the last second she dives and comes up behind the dumb creature and grabs its tail. Before it has time to slow down, Mel is sitting high on its back…as if it is a bronco. All she needs is a Stetson hat and the picture is complete.
I take cue from her and do likewise, but I miss grabbing its tail, so it makes a u-turn and it all starts over again. This time I go above it, thinking that maybe the beast is smart enough not to allow me the same maneuver. Finally I manage to grasp him by the tail. I’m hanging on for dear life, and I start my ascent up its back. It tries to bite, but cannot turn enough to reach me.
We hang on and ride these giants for an hour or so, until they give up. If only they had a half a brain, they could have tried to unseat their own mate’s riders…but that didn’t occur to either one.
We are getting bored, so up we shoot, back into the clear autumn air. Mel is doing somersaults and squealing with delight. I’m also thrilled…it truly was fun, and no one got hurt, except maybe some pride on the side of those animals.
“That was great!” I tell her.”When can we do it again?”
“Maybe tomorrow…but instead of these dummies, why not ride an eagle? To sit on its neck…feel the strength in those wings…experience the air as it rushes through those mighty feathers…taste the pride in what it lusts for… its Freedom.”
“Wow! Can we actually outsmart an eagle?”
“Cal, don’t ever forget…we possess the superior intelligence, by far.”
The next evening was to be the last night to be spent here. I‘m preparing wood for one more bonfire and Mel is off somewhere collecting more driftwood. She is anxious about our trip back to the city. Seattle is very much the opposite of the tranquil life here. I hope she will like it, even though I believe that in no time she will yearn to be back with her friends and familiar surroundings.
Before twilight I get one more chance to fly about. On top of the tallest tree, I survey the breathtaking view. This lake is huge…can’t understand why it’s not on any map.

Now, the fire is burning brightly, and I make myself small again so that I can enjoy the festivities with all my new friends.
Mel is begging me to dance with her around the fire. Reluctantly I get up the nerve and sure as anything, I’m a dancing fool, enjoying hopping and skipping like the rest of them.
The stars are shining like diamonds in between the smoke-filled sky. Mel pulls me up and we fly high over the bonfire. The sound of merriment from down below soon evaporates into the stillness of the late autumn air. A mild wind is blowing from across the lake. Mel looks so beautiful in the star glow. Her face is like porcelain…her raven tresses glimmering like polished black onyx. And her eyes…those eyes…they are almost fluorescent green…as if they have their own built-in light.
She smiles…and I melt before her radiant pixie face. As we kiss, I believe that our two hearts are beating as one…in exact precision.
“What will my friends say when they lay eyes on this faerie goddess?” I think to myself.


Chapter Ten

In the big city


Next day after packing up Nellybelle, and many tearful hugs and goodbyes, we are ready to depart from this idyllic spot on earth.
Mel is as excited as no-one I’ve ever seen before. She is chattering uncontrollably as we bump along that dirt path.
I feel a little regret about having to leave, but I have a nagging feeling that I will be back.
Before I swing up Seattle way, I decide to return to my friend James, from where I began my trek.
James is a bachelor and is into a lot of dating. He says that his quest is to meet at least one hundred women before he decides to settle down with the right one.
His jaw drops when he answers his door. I introduce Mel to him. He stands there unable to form a proper sentence. “This is Melissa. I met her while camping.
Hello James…you there?”
“What…what did you say her name is? I wasn’t paying attention.”
“Hi, James…I’m Mel. I imprinted on Cal.” She tells him.
“Imprint?”
“It’s nothing. Not important to you, old pal.” I quickly tell him. Mel just stares at me. I just wink and put my finger to my lips.
“You have to let me know exactly where this camping spot was.”
I tell him, “Maybe next time. We just stopped to say goodbye. I…we are going back home. I’ll come back when I have more time and visit a little longer. Real soon…I promise, and we’ll bend the elbow.”
He was sad to see us leave so soon. I think he was sadder to see Mel go, than me.
By four in the afternoon we are driving up into my parking space.
As we ascend the metal stairs to get to my second floor flat, Mrs. Louwicky , my landlady and neighbor, looks out her window and shouts, “Hey Cal, welcome back. Where have you been? You look good. And who is that fine lady you’re with? She’s a real looker, and a keeper. I wouldn’t throw her back. I thought maybe you were gay.” She laughs.
“Always a kidder, eh, Stella? Oh, by the way, do you think that your daughter can spare some of her clothes. Mel, here, lost everything she owned, and I know Olga is about the same size as Mel.”
“Sure, she won’t mind. She has more clothes than she can wear. Besides, she is away for a few months visiting my brother Stan. He’s in Vancouver, you know. Nice place, Canada. I may go up there myself one day…but just to visit…no more than that.”
We dump all my gear on the floor and I begin to tidy up…I wasn’t expecting to bring a girl here. The last time I did was five, maybe more like six years ago. I was way too busy with studies and work. Yes, I’m a sad case.
“Go over to Stella and pick out some stuff to wear, while I get this mess cleaned up. I’ll fix up the bedroom for you. I can sleep here on the sofa. And pick up something dressy…I want to take you out to a fancy restaurant tonight…or tomorrow night, if you’re too tired. So, go.”
Forty five minutes later she waltzes in with an armful of dresses, pants, tops, and other things that baffle her. “Mrs. Louwicky says that I can keep all these. Her daughter buys clothes and wears them once. Then they just take up room in her huge closet. Olga will be happy that they will be of use to someone else.”
“Do you want to go out tonight? Or do you wish simply to relax, and get settled in?”
“How about if we eat here, rest awhile, talk a bit, then you could show me around your neighborhood, Cal?”
“I like that idea…it’s a plan.”
She starts looking through the pile of clothes Stella donated to her. She picks a matching set of panties and bra and asks me, “What are these?”
“They are to…um…you wear them…oh for Pete’s sake, Mel, figure it out by yourself. Ok?”I say and I change the subject quickly. “What do you wish to eat?”
“Got any crickets, or yummy grasshoppers?” she asks jokingly.
“No, but I can make some BLT sandwiches. I’ll run down to the corner store and pick up some groceries. You can take a bubble bath or shower, if that’s what you prefer.”
I tell her that BLT is bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich, and she say it will