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THE SUNDAY PAPER
“Once Upon A Wish” by Ken Stamp
Part 1 of 4.

The Preparation

Turn so you are sitting with your back to me.  Take a deep breath; hold it while you clear your mind of all thoughts.  Close your eyes and let it out, expel all worldly images.  Do not open your eyes again until I say,“It is finished.”

Using just your mind, take an inventory of your body.  Wiggle your toes a couple of times inside your shoes and then relax.  Your ankles are next, rotate your feet then relax again.  Stretch and then relax your toes so that you can feel them working your calf muscles. Do this twice.  Tighten and release your thigh muscles.  Now relax your shoulders and rotate your upper body by lifting first one side and then the other in a circular rocking motion. Rotate your head slowly and relax your neck muscles. Go around the circle twice.

You are now completely relaxed.  You will find no hurt, no pain, and no discomfort.  In fact, you feel very good.  Take another deep breath and let it out slowly, as you settle back into my embrace… relax.

Our age difference doesn’t matter now because we are ageless. Free spirits of the universe, released to share freely the love we feel.

This Friday evening I’m taking you on a special date. All you have to do is close your eyes and open your mind.

We are in my pick-up truck and as I snap your seat belt into place, I kiss you lightly on the lips. You feel a pleasurable response in your body and wish the kiss had lasted just a bit longer.

I face forward before starting the engine and suggest you take your shoes off. This drive may take a little while.

You slip your shoes off, settle back into the seat and close your eyes.  You drift into a restful sleep as the vehicle gently rocks you and you listen to hiss of the tires on the pavement.

Morning

“We are here,” I whisper.

You open your eyes and see that it is still dark.  I open the door and release your seat belt. You raise your hand and gently bring my face to yours then kiss me ever so tenderly.

Looking into your eyes I smile and say,

“Good morning! Did you sleep well?”

You nod your head then ask,

“Where are we?”

“You’ll see,” I reply.

I lead you down a slight incline until you feel sand beneath your feet.  You hear the sound of waves lap a shoreline.  We stop and I walk around behind you and encircle your waist with my arms.

“Open your eyes.”

Before you an ocean stretches far to the east.  It is hard to distinguish just where the sea ends and the sky begins. A gentle wind swirls around you caressing your cheek with a kiss of welcome.

There is a slight chill in the air and you press back into me, enjoying the warmth you feel where our bodies touch. You press back a little harder to increase the area of contact. In my arms you feel loved and safe.

You look around and when I feel you trying to look behind, I step aside so you can turn.  Your eyes focus on the wind swept knoll we came down.  Following it upwards you see that the seacoast juts up a few feet, to a flat tabletop of land that stretches towards the west.

Turning back you wiggle your toes in the sand, still wet from the receding tidewaters, and you realize that you are barefoot; you did not put your shoes back on.

We turn to face the horizon, waiting for daybreak.  You lean back once more and pull my arms around you just a little tighter.  I hold you tenderly and whisper,

“Thank you for being here with me.”

You shiver ever so slightly as if you can feel my words as well as hear them… as if our two bodies are one.

We watch the dawn do battle with the darkness for control of the sky.  Soft fluffy clouds appear from dark hiding places. As the sky lightens, they gradually show their underbellies.

Then a metamorphic change takes place right before your eyes.  The clouds slowly changing from deep dark red to brilliant white.  Those closest to the horizon start first then the remainder picks up the process, each in their own turn until all the clouds are white.

The sky that was so black is transformed into a panoramic dome of colors.  Your eyes follow this colorful parade as it ascends upwards, pushing back the night.  It is like a multi-coloured curtain being raised on a stage.

We look to the horizon attracted by a halo of light that flares up with rays streaking out in all directions, like trumpet blasts, heralding the arrival of the sun and the beginning of our very special day.

With royal majesty and splendour, the sun begins its climb to the heavens, ascending like a king to his throne while showering its warmth and blessings to all the earth below, and especially on you, my darling.

Looking at the water it seem as if the dark green waves are leaping and frolicking with joy, while they fling white froth, as if it were confetti.  It is their way of expressing their appreciation for being here to witness the birth of this new day.

Seagulls screech to each other high overhead and perform aerial manoeuvres as they reclaim their domain. Racing towards each other they swerve at the very last second, barely avoiding disaster.  Celebrating the end of darkness they demonstrate their talents and abilities; advertising for a suitable mate.

We look again across the vast ocean. A large whale lifts majestically out of the sea then crashes down into the frothy brine. In the creatures wake a female and her calf follow.  With comical coughs, they replenish the air in their lungs and dive again. The pod continues to swim near the surface.  Showing off their antics and celebrating the thrill of life and the beginning of a new day.

Sensing that we will soon be leaving, a large wave rushes up to deposit a seashell at your feet.  The next wave nudges it a bit closer to you as if saying,

“Accept our gift. Thank you for sharing with us, your special day.”

Your breath catches in your throat at the wonder of it all.  You snuggle more deeply into the arms that hold you as you marvel at all you see.

“All of nature’s beauty is yours to enjoy and share with the rest of the world, if you wish.  But your personal beauty, and you are very beautiful, I wish to keep for myself.  I don’t want to share you with anyone.  You see, I am a very selfish person when it comes to you.  In fact I am a very jealous lover.”

Together we walk back to the truck, your one hand in mine while the other holds the seashell to your heart. I lift you in then connect the seat-belt.  As I straighten up, I look into your eyes and plant a delicate kiss on the tip of your nose. I close the door and walk to the driver’s side and get in.  I look lovingly at you as I buckle up and prepare to start the engine.

“Where are we going now?” you ask.

“You’ll see,” I respond.

“It’s only a short trip that will pass much quicker if you close your eyes.”

I lean over and slide my hand across your eyes, “Now we’ll continue.”

I softly brush your cheek as I return my hand to the steering wheel and start to drive.  Your mind drifts off into a timeless dimension as your body surrenders to the motion of travel.  You feel weightless, as if gravity no longer exists.  You feel like you are moving yet standing still at the same time, as if you are traveling in some kind of time warp.  The last thing you remember is the beauty of the dawn.

Wooden Rocket Press’ Sunday Paper posts new serialized fiction each Sunday.
Return next Sunday morning for part 2 of Ken Stamp’s “Once upon A Wish.”
To submit your story for consideration for the Sunday Paper, e-mail us at submissions@woodenrocketpress.com