Greener and livelier than life itself.
His eyes cut sideways to me, irritation simmering beneath the surface. “Why did you talk to me all of a sudden? I fell over because of you.”
I can’t tell him I thought he was a fairy, because that’s so stupid now that I think about it, so I clear my throat. “You ruined my flowers, so let’s call it even.”
He shuffles toward me on his knees, throwing down his lollipop that’s covered in grass. His eyes catch a spark of something unearthly, his lips parting as if the words rip free before he can stop them. “Who are the flowers for?”
“My mother.”
The slightest spark flares in his eyes as they widen. “Your mother likes flowers?”
“Yeah.”
“Mine loves diamonds.”
“Can you get her diamonds?”
“No, silly.” A soft laugh escapes him, light as a breeze shifting through the leaves overhead.
Something fascinating happens then. His cheeks crease, and two dimples appear, framing his face like a magic spell.
They turn shallow when he speaks. “I’m still too young.”
“Then how about your dad?”
He pouts, his laugh instantly disappearing.
No. Why are the dimples gone? I like it when he laughs and stirs a beautiful sound in the air.
The boy shifts closer to me, grass staining his knees so that they’re as green as his eyes. No, they’re not as bright or sparkly.
His mouth trembles into a small, reluctant downturn, like he’s trying not to show how much it stings. “My parents are getting divorced.”
“Why?”
He shifts forward further. “Mom said Daddy gets rid of anyone he doesn’t like anymore, and he just doesn’t like the two of us now, so we have to leave for a new home. Mom said he wants to have a new family.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, even though I don’t really know what that word means. I hear Mom say it all the time to people in our neighborhood, and it seems to make them feel better.
“It’s okay. At least I’ll always have Mom.” He jumps up, a grin curving his lips, and he extends both arms above his head. “When I grow up this big, I’m gonna make lots of money and buy her all the diamonds in the world.”
I stare up at him as the sky and wandering clouds frame his face and the dimples, making him look so pretty.
Like a prince.
Afairyprince.
“You can do that?” I ask. “Buy all the diamonds for your mom?”
“Sure can. I’ll be richer than Daddy, and I’ll never kick her out of my house.”
“Me too.” I push myself up, my body angling toward his. “I’ll be richer and bigger than Dad and make Mom proud.”
“Yay! We can be rich together.” He slings an arm over my shoulders, a broad grin breaking across his face.
He smells like the woods and roses, like something sweet and soft.
A small smile tugs at my lips before I can stop it.
