My Mind: February 2008

Blue eyes, with the fire of turquoise and tropical ocean, stared out from a cover of bushes as the day passed by. Distinguished men in formal attire and elegant ladies in beautiful dresses passed by in carriages drawn by majestic black stallions, adorned with jewels of ruby and amethyst, on the cobbled street. By contrast, the observant, in very essence and position, poor, was dressed in ragged clothing and had been wearing such as long as she could remember. Her hair was the black of a midnight sky. Birds of many varieties called out from cages of wood, waiting to be sold at market, in a booth constructed of green tapestry. They longed to be free! The fugitive of poor birth and station, dressed in a ragged old dress, that may have once been beautiful, was known as Aria. Aria lived on a very poor farm with her parents and 2 siblings, more children had been granted to the family, but they all had died from sickness or famine within the first 2 months of their short lives. She was the oldest, her two younger brothers were 5 and 6 years. They were very rowdy and weren't very good at helping with the many chores that accompanied owning a farm. The older, Sam, claimed green eyes of Emerald and had the same midnight black hair as Aria. The youngest living of the children, had been christened Connor and did not look at all like the rest of the family. He had bright blonde hair, that shown like that of the moon, and deep auburn eyes. Aria should have been at home helping with the chores, but she had secretly sneaked off to town, after hearing that many a royalty would be passing through this day. Naturally she wanted to see if they were anything like all the stories she had read. Rich, rode in carriages of satin and silk, wore the fanciest most fashionable clothing of the day, and were adorned with precious and valuable stones and jewels. Most were very rude and unpleasant, given but a few nice ones. Aria's mind was a very imaginative one and she had been cuffed in the head many a time by her parents for daydreaming while the chores needed doing.
So on this particular day, Aria, who loved stories and could even read them, just had to get a glimpse of what she would never have, but had read ever so much about. The royalties began arriving, about 5 minutes after she had located her hiding station. It was wonderful, there were so many colors. Most with their high class snobery, hid behind the curtains of their carriages while some had the curtains open and were taking in the scenery and the country air. They were so beautiful, Aria thought, with their hair done up all fancy like and their dresses of many different hues of blues, purples, pinks, and even greens. Of course, there were boys too. Some were even Aria's age, but looked much nicer, in their clothing of course.One of the boys, when he got out of his carriage walked over to her bush and saw her, but before he could say anything she put her finger to her lips in a warning to be silent, he apparently understood her desperate plea and brusquely walked away.
She saw the market unfold before her as more and more pretty people, as she like to call them, arrived. There were even more colors as merchants continued setting up booths and laying out their merchandise. There were, brooches, precious stones set in necklaces and bracelets, expensive cloth of many colors, various animals in cages, and lastly there were food stalls of small delicacies to eat. As she was taking all of this in she did not notice that the boy who had seen her before had snuck up behind her, until she felt a light tap on her shoulder. Aria turned around with a flash, and saw the kind face looking at her from the same eye level. “Oh.” She said.
“What do you mean, oh?” asked the boy.
“Oh nothing, nothing at all, am I bothering you? 'Cause if I am I can leave. “ Aria said boldly.
The boy, noticing the boldness, calmly replied,“Oh no, definitely not. I would not think so, I was just wondering if you would like this..” At that he took his hand from behind his back and produced a pear. It looked wonderfully juicy, and looked to be the most delicious thing that Aira had ever laid eyes on.
“Why are you being nice to me? I don't even know you” she asked.
“No, reason, you just looked a bit hungry.” said the boy. “By the way, my name is Ed.”
“Do you mean Edward?” Aria asked.
“Yes, that is all of it, but most every one I know calls me Ed.”
“Well, yes I do suppose that I am a bit hungry, but how do I know that you haven't done something to it?” she said eyeing the pear somewhat distrustfully.
“Ok, I'll prove it to you.” As he said this he took out a little pocket-knife, it gleamed wonderfully in the sun. He then proceeded to cut a small chunk out of the pear, after the fact he popped it into his mouth and chewed it very pleasantly. “See”. Edward said.”I haven't done anything to it, else why would I have eaten any.”
“Oh all right, I believe you.” She said taking the pear from his hand, and biting daintily into its flesh. “ You, still haven't answered my question totally.” Aria said through mouthfuls of the delicious pear. “Normally, your kind stick up their noses at people like me.” She said sadly.
“Well...” replied Ed. “I am not like that. My mother is though and....” He was cut off abruptly by someone calling his name.
“Edward, Edward. Come here right this instant.”
“That would be my mother, I have to go. But before I do, I have to ask something.” He said as he stood up.
“What?” Aria asked.
“Can you read?” He said.
“Yes, why?” She replied slowly.
“ I will write you a note and leave it right there between those two branches, before I leave. We come here every market day.” He said. She didn't have time to say anything back, but instead just nodded her head as he walked off.
'That was interesting..' Aria said to herself. “Well I best be off, but before I go where is a stick.” She found a good one, perfect for writing with, and then began to inscribe a note in the dirt. It read:
Dear Edward,
I just wanted to say thank you for the pear.
It was delicious, I have never had one before.
What is your house like? It must be very big.
Do you have any pets or brothers and sisters?
I have so many questions. But I suppose you might have some too.
So, I have 2 brothers, of 5 and 6 years. The elder is Sam and the younger
is called Connor. Our farm is down the road about 5 miles, I think.
It is a small house, but is quite full of people all the time, not to mention a few animals.
I have to go.
Bye, Aria.

At that she stuck the stick in the dirt next to the note and ran off towards the dirt road. She had made her mind up to come back tomorrow morning to see if there was any note left where he said it would be. Aria ran back to the farm with great agility and speed, not wanting to get back too late and get in trouble for not doing her chores when she was supposed to. Past the trees and pastures of Mr. and Mrs. McFurrough's land, she ran in long strides, like that of and ostrich I would suppose, and got to the barn just in time for dinner, if there would be any. Sure enough, the chickens, pigs, and their one plough horse, Jack, needed to be fed.
So she flung herself into action, and at that instant dashed into the barn, grabbed the pitchfork and dug it into the hay. Running, but slowly so as not to scare Jack, daintily toward the manger she dumped the first load into it. Aria, ran back and forth from the hay pile and in so doing filled Jack's manger. She snuck over to the oat sacks and grabbed a couple handfuls, then retreated back to the safety of the big soiled white coat of Jack's body. Sticking her hand full of the oats out to Jack's muzzle, she noticed that his water trough needed filling. He ate the oats gratefully, and whinnied softly. She stroked him gently and then ran off to grab a bucket. Aria found one lying next to the door into the barn picked it up gingerly, and ran off towards the well. Setting that bucket down on the ground, she lowered the well bucket down slowly with the cranking of the handle and then pulled it up even slower, the sides sloshing with water. Picking up the larger bucket she dumped the water from one bucket to the other. She repeated this step several more times, after each time of filling the larger bucket with the water collected she made sure that it was balanced well on the edge of the well. When the bucket was full enough to her liking she hefted it into her arms and carried it slowly to the barn, making sure, all the while to spill as little as possible. Seeing Jack eat was a funny sight Aria thought, especially when you intruded on his meal time. Clicking her tongue softly she poured the water into his trough and strode off to find the chicken feed. All this while she had been pondering her meeting with Edward.
Finding the feed and the bucket in which to dump it was rather easy, and by now second nature to Aria. She filled the bucket half full and walked quickly over to the chicken coop. It had a small wooden fenced enclosure around it so that during the day the chickens could be in the sunlight, but at night they were ushered back into the coop after being fed. She sang softly as she threw the feed into the yard, and the chickens rushed over to the food, and fought for it as though they each hadn't had food in months. When she was done, she set the bucket in the enclosure and went to the front side of their house. In a bin, where it always was, sat the food that was to be taken to the pigs. Picking up the large bucket that always sat near, she filled it full and ran as fast as she could without spilling any, to the pigs pen. She dumped the food into the miniature trough that was used for the pigs and called out loudly, “Here pigs, here.” And sure enough, fast as a lazy pig would go, came the fattiest of all the pigs, not to mention the oldest. Aria ran back to the chickens place of refuge and ushered all the chickens into the coop and bolted the door. Then she picked up the other bucket that she had used earlier for the chickens and ran off toward the house. Tossing the pigs bucket in its proper place, she turned around and ran into the house, letting the door bang shut.
Everyone was seated at the table and there was an unusually large dinner set out. It must be a special occasion, she thought, but couldn't remember which it was. Aria set the bucket down slowly and went to wash her hands. She came back quickly and sat down slowly, making sure not to let the chair scoot. “Thank you for joining us so promptly Aria.” Said her mother.
“Have I missed something?” Aria asked.
“Yes.” Her mother replied. “Your cat had a very large litter of kittens.”
“Really?” She asked.
“Yes, and since it is your birthday, you get to keep one.” Her Mother replied.
“Truly, I knew that I had forgotten something.” Aria said in astonishment.
“Ha, ha. You are so funny Aria.” Laughed her brother Sam. “To think that you would forget ye' own birthday.”
“To think?” said Connor surprised.
“Thank you mother and father, thank you ever so much. How can I ever say thanks enough.” she said addressing her parents.
“Oh, well..” said her Father, Joseph, “You could start with getting to dinner a bit earlier.” He said jokingly.
“I'll try”. Aria acknowledged. “I do have a question,though, what are we going to do with the rest of the kittens?”
“That is one good question, but while I think, let's eat.” her Father said.
It truly was a glorious meal, especially for their family. There was mashed potatoes, chicken, rice, and to the surprise of everyone, vegetables. After everyone had had their fill, Resa, commonly called Mother, brought out a pie. It wasn't like any that you would have today, it was much better, for now days most people don't make pies any more. But this pie was fresh, steaming, and smelt of sweet apples. Connor enjoyed his pie so much that he was in despair and melancholy after he had finished, it truly was the best birthday ever, thought Aria, for what could any one want more, food enough to satisfy hunger, and a family that you love. “Well, now that I've had a thought, what do you think about having Aria bring the Kittens to market day and selling them, Resa?” Joseph said in a happy tone of mind.
“I think that that is a wonderful idea. What do you think Aria, dear?” Acknowledged her mother.
“I say, yes most definitely. I think that it is a jolly wonderful idea. When?” Said Aria, thinking again of meeting Edward.
“Well, next market day of course, the kittens should be old enough by then, to be separated from their mother.” Aria's mother and father replied in unison.
“Oh I almost forgot.” said Resa. “I have one other gift for you Aria.” At that she went into the sleeping side of the house and brought back with her a little parcel. “Go on open it.” she said anxiously.
At that Aria tore through the brown packaging swiftly to find a new dress, pressed, clean, and ready to wear. “I figured that you could use a nicer dress for special occasions, such as market day, and that your current one you could wear while you're at home, doing chores and such.”
“Oh thank you so much. I didn't expect anything, let alone a new dress and getting to keep one of the kittens. Thanks ever so much!” Aria said excitedly while quickly getting up and rushing over to both sides of the table to hug both of her parents. “All right..” said her father while being embraced. “Enough excitement for one day, my little girl is 13, and now off to bed with all of you, tomorrow is another day and we've all got work to do. first, though, Aria, I do suspect that you would like to take a peep at the kittens.” said her Father.
“Oh, yes.” Aria said joyously.
So father and daughter left the rest of the family at table, and walked to a corner of the one roomed farm house, that had a good sized wooden crate against it. The crate's contents were as follows, a beautiful midnight black cat with emerald green eyes and a dozen little, tiny kittens, most were at the mothers side sucking milk. While, the others, were fighting for a spot. In a hushed voice Aria said happily, “ Well, now, you make a fine mother, Emerald.” A small Meeow, was all that was heard in reply along with the purring that followed Aria petting Emerald's head softly.
“Time for bed you three.” Father announced promptly after walking quietly away from the cat.
“Do we have to?” Said Sam and Connor simultaneously.
“Yes, of course, now hop to it.” Joseph said.
The house was a quick scramble of Sam and Connor as they rushed off to bed with Aria on their trail. She drifted off to sleep hearing the voices of her parents in hushed tones, and to thinking of waking up early before the sun rose and her Da was awake.
Snap! Her eyes opened. She looked hastily around, but relaxed when she saw that her Da was still sleeping peacefully. Quickly Aria jumped out of bed, dressed quickly in her old dress, and brushed her hair. She stole out of the house quietly, and then ran like the lightning to where she had been just the other day. Sure, enough just as Ed had said he had left a note, in between two branches of her hiding bush. She took it out from its hiding place as quickly as she dared, careful not to rip it. Note in hand, she rushed back to the farm, but this time taking care to enjoy the beautiful morning that was dawning. As she neared the farm again, she walked slower and opened the note it read:
Dear Aria,
So, that is your name. I had been meaning to ask you.
Your life sounds rather exciting, even though mine is much more fancy.
The house of my occupancy, as my mother would call it, is a very large
Medieval Castle with lots of rooms that I've seen, and many more
still waiting to be explored. I have only one sister, and she is 20 and married.
So, as you can imagine, it is very dull.
Not to mention, I have private tutors, and spend 8 hours every day in study.
I have a horse though, his name is Blaze, we spend lots of time together.
He is an Arabian, I am not sure if you know what kind that is.
Well, I will look for you next market day, if I don't find you anywhere then
I will go to the bush and see if you've left any letter.
Yours Sincerely,
Ed.

By the time she had finished reading, Aria had reached the barn. It was a wonderful letter. Of course it would be for she had never had a real friend before. Well, at least she felt that she should call him a friend. He was the closest that she had ever got to one.
Aria decided that instead of going back to sleep, that she would help her father by doing the milking, or at least part of it. So she went through the proceedings of cleaning, with warm water of course, because she did not want to scare the cow. And then she pulled up a stool next to the cow, set the bucket beneath it, and began mechanically squirting milk into the pail. She comforted the mollie by talking in a sweet tone, and occasionally humming. When she finished she set the full pail in the cooling trough out of way of any cats that might sneak into the barn looking for a drip of milk. Aria decided to find a clean small saucer and fill it with the fresh milk, and then take it to Emerald. So that's exactly what she did. She found a saucer that was Ivory in color, and had a design of brilliant green vines that bloomed here and there with beautiful dark blue blossoms. She filled it carefully and took it to the crate where Emerald was with her kittens. laying it carefully next to Emerald's mouth. The cat lapped it up thankfully and mewed in thanks. Aria stroked the cat's head softly as she picked up the saucer and returned it to the kitchen, getting ready to wash it of course.
Resa awoke to the sound of a whistling kettle. Who would be up now? Joseph was still asleep there on the pillow next to her. She sat up slowly and looked around. Aria, was up? Normally she would still be sleeping now. Resa got up and dressed carefully minding not to wake anybody up just yet. Yes, the house was only one room, but they had managed to make a little barrier between where everyone slept and the kitchen side of the house. She walked softly into the kitchen, “Aria?”
“Yes, Ma. What is it?” Came Aria's reply.
“ Oh, nothing. I was just surprised that you were up.”
“Is no one else up then?” Aria said.
“No, not even Joseph.” Resa said in return.
“Should I start to make breakfast?” asked Aria.
“Yes, I don't see why not.” Her mother said.
“Oatmeal, again?” Aria said in a funny voice.
“Yes dear.”
“Oh all right then. When is next market day?”
“It is in six weeks.” Came her mother's reply.
“That is a long, time, but it is perfect for the kittens.” Aria said.
“Yes, there are smaller market days once every 2 weeks, but only those who live here go to those. The ones where people come from a ways are only once every 6 weeks.” Resa said. It was a good day, Aria made the oatmeal, even though this was the 14th time that they had had it in the week before and this week. Everyone laughed and talked a great deal over the meal. Joseph was glad to have the extra rest, and thanked his daughter for doing the milking. After breakfast everyone went about doing what was needed, Resa packed up the things to sell at the small market and left soon after, Aria did her usual chores quickly but thoroughly and was glad when she was finished. The boys as always played when they should have helped, but no matter everything got done.
At about noon both the boys were playing near the trees, Connor had actually climbed into one and was dangerously balancing on the thin outer part of one branch, even though Sam told him that it was foolishly unwise. All of the sudden, CRACK!! The branch gave way, and a loud shriek escaped from Connor's mouth before he hit the ground, landing heavily on his right leg. Sam ran panicking to Aria and shouted something unintelligible. Aria, seeing his panic stricken face followed Sam knowing that something had to have gone seriously wrong. He brought her to where Connor was laying on the ground, unconscious. “Go and fetch Da, I'll stay here with him. Run!” Said Aria hastily. As her brother took of she stared at Connor's cracked leg. She knew what she had to do. Rummaging through the broken branch, she found two pieces that would do perfectly for a splint. She pulled them off, and then sat next to Connor stroking his blonde hair. Soon enough Da arrived with Sam running to keep up with him, his little legs trembling horribly. “Here Da, I found 2 pieces.” Aria said lifting up the two small branches.
“Go and fetch some clean cloth, and put some water on to boil.”
“Yes Da.” Said Aria.
“What should I do?” Asked Sam. His Da's eyes told him that all he could do now was to go and open the door. He did so quickly. Joseph gently lifted his son off of the ground, being careful about the leg, and brought him into the house.
“Lay some clean sheets on top of this bed for me Aria.” She did so quickly. He set Connor down and said but one more thing before, rolling up his sleeves to set to work. “Is the water heated?” Aria nodded her head and went to fetch it. When she brought the water back, Sam had just presently entered the room, and handed Da some clean rags. Connor's pants were off and the leg looked horrible, thankfully it hadn't swollen any yet.
Joseph dipped some of the rags and wiped clean Connor's leg. Then he shooed Sam out of the room, and worked on setting Connor's leg. When that was done Connor came to.
“Wwwhatt.. happened?” He said then winced and started to cry when he felt the pain in his leg and suddenly remembered. Aria bowed down and kissed Connor on the forehead comforting him some.
The next weeks passed by slowly for the whole family. Chores were done, and everyone felt melancholy. Soon though, a diversion came, it was the day for the big market. Aria was excited because she would hopefully get to see Ed again. The kittens were loaded into the back of their wagon, and Aria sat in the back with them. She had picked one that looked just like its mother except that it had beautiful blue eyes. The rest were so cute, and Aria was sad to part with them, but it had to be done. So the rest of the day was spent bartering with rich folks on the price for which to buy a kitten. Ed and his mother came to their stand, and a spark of recognition and excitement ignited his eyes.
Ed and Aria spent many days conversing in secret, of Ed's mother, her family had found out and met him of course. They spent the days of summer talking, exchanging letters, and meeting when they could. The months then turned into years and their friendship grew. Both had now realized the true meaning of friendship. One day Aria handed Ed a piece of paper. It was beautifully adorned; Ed had given it to her for her 16th birthday. It read:
Now do I realize the true meaning,
Of friendship,
And summer days spent talking with you.
May this friendship last forever.

Many have had friends and many were they,
But were they as true and pure as we?
Did they last though through, the hardships of life,
And the disagreements that pop up in general conversation?
How many years shall it be that we will know each other to come?
How many will we be friends?
Forever more do I surely hope.

Ed looked at Aria with wonder, and then they both knew the truth, they would be friends for ever more. How much do we wonder if our current friends be our friends, are they true, or are they feign? How long shall they stay the first? Let this be the question posed, and let this unlikely tale of friendship be one part of the many answers that accompany it.
P.S. Ed's Mother finally found out about the friendship, but surprisingly she did not stop it.
The End

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