A Lasting Wish
ExcerptMrs. Evan: *looks up, sighs, looks back down* Hello Lilly.
Lilly: *Still jogging through the array of desks, beginning to become breathless* Hey Mrs. Evan! *She finally reaches the teacher’s desk, and stands to the side, closely watching her work.* Mrs. Evan: *Still typing, she looks for Lilly through the corner of her eye. She never realized how close the child was, and when she finally saw her, leaning over the table, she jumps.* Y-yes Lilly? Do you need something of me? Lilly: Wha-? Ohhh… Right! *Laughs, hopping happily over to the rows of desks, dropping down her backpack on the closest surface so it could be easier to access, then begins to shuffle through the pockets searchingly * Well… *her voice trails off as she loses concentration while continuing to sort through the bag.* I was at that little arts and crafts store down the street yesterday with my mom… *She losses concentration once again* Mrs. Evan: *Wearing a very strained expression, which shows that she both knows, and is used to Lilly’s flamboyant personality* Lilly: And I came across this rack of cute little cards… *Face lights up* Oh! Found it! *She takes her arm out of the bag, where she had been reaching for the bottom of the sack. She pulls out the fifth and final card which she had picked out at the display, the one with the flowers. The words are still blurred and Lilly hides the card carefully behind her back, gripping it delicately with both hands.* Mrs. Evan: *is leaning slightly forward in her chair, waiting for Lilly to finish* Lilly: And… Well… Momma said I could get five of them… *her voice is fast, before it quickly trails off and she begins to bounce up and down on the balls of her feet with anticipation* And I know, *she emphasizes the word ‘know’* that you’ve been having a pretty hard time with all the guys in class… Especially Frankie…*she adds the last sentence in quietly under her breath* So I decided to get you one of the cards too! *stops bouncing suddenly and takes the card singly in her right hand- thrusting it happily out towards the surprised teacher.* Mrs. Evan: Oh… Um… *She takes the card from Lilly’s outstretched arm* Thank you Lilly… That was very… thoughtful. *Her face appears reluctant, and she drops the card quickly, after a scanning glance, into her purse which sits aside her computer* Lilly: You’re very welcome Mrs. Evan! *completely oblivious to the teacher’s reluctance, she smiles for a few more moments, and then turns- skiping over to the desk where she had left her backpack. She zips back up the still-open pocket, and shoulders it- swinging back through the rows of desks waving hugely at the door before opening and leaving* Mrs. Evan: *gives a small forced smile as Lilly wave’s goodbye, raising her hand and politely wiggling her fingers in reply until she leaves. She jumps slightly at the loud bang of the closing door, and sighs- falling down into the back of her chair. She exhales after another moment and leans forward again, turning her chair back to the computer. She begins to type again.* (The card is sticking half-way out the top of her bag, and the sound of her typing is still heard as the screen blacks out.) |
Summary'A Lasting Wish' is about the touching and heart-tugging journey of a small paper card as it moves from soul to soul bringing hope, spirit, and goodwill- before once again being passed over to another person in need. Within this story you will laugh, cry, receive a restored faith in the goodness of humanity, and believe in the truth of a better tomorrow- as well as realize that there may just be a little bit of Lilly Wells in us all.
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