Emilia's Secret Wish

Emilia's Secret Wish

Emilia was swinging under the tree in the Autumn garden. Her beautiful long young hair was set up in a nice ponytail sealed with bows of pink and purple. 

As she dangled herself back and forth, she looked  up to stare at the clear blue skies that were gently brushed by a soft white cloud here and there. Wondering!

This was the very day. She wanted to be with her daddy, who was far far away where only birds could fly or only those big big heavy metal machines could arrive.

She then swang slowly until she came to a full stop, dragging her feet in the dusty dirt beneath the swing looking down at her pearl white shiny "charol" shoes. A knot welled up in her throat as tears began to trickle down her seven-year-old cheeks. 

Then she remembered that her purse was hanging across her chest. She slit her small hand into it and took out her tiny little Minnie Mouse coin purse and began to count 25 cents, 50 cents, a dollar, $2, until she came up with $8.88! She then wondered how much it would cost to fly those heavy machines to go see her daddy. Maybe, she thought, that was the perfect amount, maybe it was just quite right. She had been saving this money in her owl ceramic piggy bank for years and that morning she had decided to crack it open.

She jumped off of the swing and ran to the house, where her aunt Claire was sitting and knitting a long blue shawl on the porch.

"Aunt Claire, Aunt Claire," Emilia shouted. "Look!" Almost tripping on herself as she skipped up the three stairs. 

"Can I go see daddy today? In one of those big flying machines?"

"You mean airplane," Claire smiled through her glasses.

Emilia nodded with her round eyes wide open.

"Let's see," aunt Claire mentioned, "I think it is a bit late for that young lady."

"Oh, aunt Claire, it's only 8 a.m. there must be a way, there's got to be."

Aunt Claire looked at the clock and then look back at Emilia, as she continued to knit.

II

On the other side, in Wisconsin, Frederick was taking care of the ill at hand. He would go to the Care Center every other day and visited them to take care of them and made sure they had all their basic needs met. He would spend time reading them stories and helping out in whatever way was possible. Sometimes he would just go for goodness sake, to bring them music, a special cake or something that would cheer them up.

He had been transferred to that area due to his job, which did not last very long. After a while, he had been laid off, which for him, was a godsend, as he was  already considering to retire. His wife Dorothy, was not doing very well and it was best to remain in Wisconsin for her to get the right care in the right facility where she would be attended to everyday. It was the best and most affordable option. She was in the same care home he visited.

They had acquired Emilia at a later age when most of the rest of the children had grown up. She had brought both of them so much joy and helped them come into a togetherness they had not known before. Yet the birth at such a later age had worn out Dorothy's body, which for now at an older age needed nursing care.

 That morning the day of his Birthday, Frederick had gotten slowly up, grabbed his morning coffee and sat in his comfortable old chair, where dozens of memories began to flood through his mind.

Some good ones, some not-so-good ones. Flashing segments of his overall life. He had a yearning in his heart to be with friends and his children. Even though it was not possible at this time, he was happy to have received all the phone calls, the letters and greeting cards that came to him on his special day.

III

Emilia was very excited and continued to talk to aunt Claire to go see her Papa. Aunt Claire was very sturdy as she looked at her and said:

"Sweetie there's not enough time and $8.88 is not enough pay to travel thus far."

Emilia begged her: "Please please aunt Claire. there's got to be a way... there's got to. Can you please call the airplane people and explain the story, pleaaaaseeee."

All of a sudden aunt Claire grinned, as if a flash bulb had gone off in her mind.

"It's not possible Emilia, you'll have to accept it. Now, let me make a phone call," she replied.

Emilia stood there watching her as a tear made its way down on her gentle small cheek.

IV

On that very day, the day had started cold and wet. The sunshine was peeking its gentle rays through the heavy clouds as it embraced mother earth. The sky began slowly to clear up.

Frederick had taken a step outside to receive its greeting. It was a step outside into the back garden, where he all of a sudden heard a whisper. A tear escaped from his eyes falling into his coffee mug.

Although he had received all those wonderful greetings, phone calls and letters, he missed his family. He missed his wife and he missed his children and grandchildren. He still tried to see this as a positive day as he had prepared to go to visit the care Center.

It was his Birthday. He  had come thus far and was going to try to make the best of it.

After the day went by, he arrived back home after a long and weary day at the center. His body was tired and he decided to sit in his comfortable chair once more and turned the TV on.

"What's next?" He thought to himself. 

When all of a sudden there was a knock at the door. He couldn't figure out who it could be? He was hoping it was not one of those annoying sales people. 

He pulled himself out of the chair and grudgingly walked towards the door. He slowly  open it to  peek outside, when he couldn't believe his eyes, to which he opened the door wide open.

"Happy Birthday Papa..."

There stood Emilia with a cake on one hand and a balloon on  the other.

"My goodness..." he said.

And the biggest hug between father and daughter throughout the universe took place...