Shewantedtofeelbeautiful
Sheknewhelovedher,they’dbeentogethersince theywerekids,playinginthecourtyardofthe apartmentcomplextheygrewupinandasshegrew older,otherboysonlybrokeherheartandcaused hersorrow.Intheend,shecouldn'tthinkofanyone elseintheentireworldwhocaredaboutherlikehe did.
Theydidn'thavemuchinthisnewcity,onlythe thingstheybroughtoverfromtheoldcountryanda fewthingstheycollectedalongtheway,seeking happinessandtheAmericandream.Together,they wanderedthroughlargemetropolisesandsmall towns,andafterfiveyears,theyfinallysettled, makingSavannahtheirnewhome.
ShemadehimtakehertoForsythParkonSaturdays forthemarket,thoughnotcompletelyagainsthis will.Shewouldposeinfrontofthefountainor behindthespringingcherryblossomsfixingherhair andmakeup,makingsurehetooktheperfect picturesforherInstagram.Shejustwantedtofeel beautiful.
Helovedtakingpicturesofher,eventhoughhemade itseemlikeachore,he’dexperimentwithdifferent lighteffects,filters,andangledpointsofview.He founddelightinhowhappyshelooked,thoughhe knewtheirhappinesscamewithitsownstruggles andoftenfelthecouldbedoingmoretoprovidefor her.Butit’snoteasystartingawholenewlifeinan unfamiliarplace.
Sometimesshe’dtrailoff,inspectingthewaresand offeringsofthemarket,playfullyandinnocently flirtingwithafewofthemalevendorsatthestalls, shewantedtofeelbeautiful.Whenshehadenough funwithhertargetsofattraction,she’drunbackto grabhisarmandkisshimadmiringlyonthecheekas partofherlittlegame.
Strollingalongthepathnorthofthefountain,they wouldstopattheparkbenchwhereayounglady displayedherartworkeveryweekend,rightbesidean oldmanwhowouldplayasweetyetsombersongon histrumpet.Shewouldstoptoadmirethepainting ofabeautifulwomaninalongredgownstandingin frontofthefountainthatremindedherofadressshe oncehadwhenshewas17.
Todaythepaintingwasnolongerthere,andwhen
sheaskedaboutittheartisttoldheritwassoldtoa manwhothoughtitwouldbringdelighttohiswife. Shethensighedandwentovertotheoldmanonhis trumpet,dancinginthemorninglightshining throughtheoverhangingoakbranchesthatshaded thewalkway.
Hecameupbehindherandpressedhischeekagainst hers,promptinghertoleanintohimandturn around.Inhishandswasasquareshapewrappedin whitepaper.Shelookedupathimandgavehiman adoringsmile,knowingwhathehaddone,shethen leanedinandkissedhimlonginglyasthetoneofthe trumpetsangamuchsweetermelody.Shewantedto feelbeautifulandsheknowsthataslongasshehas him,shewillalwaysfeelbeautiful.