If you believe only in happy endings, then this story is not for you. If you are afraid to put your heart on the line, then please, just shut the book. And if you draw a line between what is real and what is dream, and what is dream and what is nightmare, then tread no further down this path, for the way is dark.
But if you are not afraid of tears and dreams and you understand that every time you give your heart, that it might break, then open the door, turn the page, and dream … You just might find magic.
From: Seventy-Three Love Poems for a Fairy Princess
By Evan Taylor
Nyad Dryad love child of a willow tree
On slim white feet you tread the forest paths of my dreams
winding inevitably, inexorably onward through the bare trees
to a place that even I cannot find
that place I fear to go
that place that aches and cries out for you
You walk onward leaving a burning trail of small footprints
that flame and spark in the dry leaves of my fruitless soul
You wind and circle ever nearer
and I cry tears that cannot put out your flame
Ever onward you walk
looking into me with the impossible eyes of a child
not a child
seeing what I cannot face
being what I want
You arrive at my heart
that place I cannot find
and when I finally look, I find you there . . .
and you are gone
All that remains is your flame
and I am alone
Prologue
Sheila watched the small pale girl approach the counter with a piece of paper in her hands.
“Um,” the girl looked uncertain for a moment and then seemed to muster her resources. She held out the piece of paper and said clearly, “I saw the 'Help Wanted' sign out front and I wanted to apply for the position.”
Sheila took the resume, looked it over and saw that the girl had no formal experience. But there was something about the kid, some vibe that she liked, a feeling of kinship. “Kristabell is it?” Sheila asked.
The girl nodded.
“Can you come in for an interview tomorrow at two?”
The girl nodded again and smiled, “Yes. I'll be here.”
“See you tomorrow,” Sheila told the girl.
“See you tomorrow.” The girl kept the smile up as she left the garden centre almost skipping.
Sheila watched, shaking her head as the little back disappeared out the door. The last time she'd had an instinctive gut feeling about someone, like she did for that girl, she had ended up a single mother. She wondered what kind of trouble that little girl with the impish smile could possibly bring?