Adults

She had always fantasized about creating her own magical garden. So there she was, sitting all adorned and embellished, amidst the shady trees, fragrant flowers, colorful butterflies, whispering in her ears. Sipping her warm zesty tea, she chitchatted with her buddy bunny, pal teddy and chirpy feathered chums! Soon, she heard her mom say “Good night Princess, hope you liked the story!” She slept, all ecstatic and elated to visit her Enchanted Garden!

He had come home, finally and I opened the garage door, forgetting that Lizzie, our cockatiel was out of her cage, perched on my shoulder. She flew toward him, missing his arm, continuing out the door to the tallest oak on our lawn. I brought out her bag of seed, thinking the familiar recognition of her next meal would bring her back down. As fish swim in the sea, Lizzie flew to freedom.

Magenta, 7, and her owner Leah walked their neighborhood daily. There weren’t many streets, but they created routes. Magenta was sweet and quiet, but bike riders, other dogs and cars scared her. She BARKED! Thursday, they walked down Leonard Dr. when a runner frightened Magenta. The barking began. Across the street, a woman told her little grandson, “Don’t go near the dog. It’s a mean dog” Hurt, Leah asked, “Why?” The woman answered, “Because it barks.”

Lately, I have been seeing red birds when I go outside. After doing some research, I learned that seeing a red bird has a secret meaning behind it. Did you know that a red bird symbolizes good luck and loyalty? Some people believe that if you see a red bird, then that means that you will experience good luck 12 days after the sighting. Red birds can also mean that compassion is coming your way.

Other experts think that dreaming of red birds means that new hope and love will enter your life. The color red has always been symbolic of passion. Therefore, dreaming of a cardinal could mean a love new love is about to come into your life. Every time I go outside now, I pay special attention to the red birds that I see.

 A cone fell from a dying pine onto a rusty-roofed Mercedes startling the man. He regarded his cluttered yard and neglected garden before walking down his driveway to his mailbox. Finding it empty he turned; walked back past his neglected garden, through the cluttered yard and toward his hoarded house.

“Welp, maybe tomorrow”, he muttered aloud to no one and shut the door.

With tears trickling down her rosy cheeks, she ran up to her mom. Hesitantly, opening her tiny fist, she showed her the broken tooth. Embracing her, the mom asked to put the tooth under her pillow at night. The girl did the same and in the morning she peeped under the pillow to find a beautiful necklace in place of her tooth. The girl ran happily to hug her fairy mom!!!

Owen faced his roommate. “I planned to tell you, but thought you’d get mad.”

Lucian looked back. “I’m a longtime fan. I’m mad that you didn’t tell.”

“I should’ve.” Owen held an envelope. “Remember this?”

“Is that the fan letter I sent?”

“Yeah. I immediately thought we’d make good friends. It’s... actually why I chose this school.”

“Really?” Lucian started grinning.

“The roommate thing was a total coincidence though. I Swear.”

Lucian chuckled.

 “The stars always know,” Abuelita used to mumble to Camila in silent gaps between garlic being pressed with oregano.

When she lost her, Cami wheezed out a knot. That’s what it felt like--a knot of air, whistling out of her. Abuelita’s kettle. Sunday mornings.

After the funeral, Cami hunched her back, finally alone.

The blue-light of her phone broke her trance. It was a notification from her newest astrology app:

“Sit up straight.”

Alone in the yard. Suddenly not. I looked up: yellow, hungry eyes.

Wolf Dog!

Ancient impulse surged. I bolted, shrieking, through the alley. Behind me, humid breath rasped against his waiting teeth. Then at once --- WHAM!

The screen door crashed open. Da, who had been napping, leapt down the steps.

“GET OUTTA HERE!”

Plink! The pipe fell. The animal yipped and fled.