Gone with the Wind

I leaned against my favorite birch tree and let the wind sweep my hair. I scrunched up my legs and placed my book in my lap. I began to read in peace, this was my favorite time of day, I loved this tree because something special always happened when I was with it. Like when I sat here and a lady walked up to me just to give me a candy, or when the old man wobbled up and had a nice conversation with me. Even just the little things happened here, and that was special to me. Then he walked toward me. Thinking he was just a passerby I directed my eyes back toward my book and started reading again. He did not pass by me, in fact he stopped right in front of me. "Hi!" he said,

he was very handsome, and his smile practically shone. If it was pitch-black at night he would be all the light anyone needed. "Hi." I respond,

I had never seen him before, which was strange because I knew practically everyone who lived here. "I'm Adam!"

He put out his hand and I shook it, "Nice to meet you Adam, I'm Jenny. Are you new here?"

he nodded "Yeah I just moved here from Minnesota." he smiled.

"Cool!" I smile back at him.

He peered over at my book "Whatcha reading?".

I lifted my book and showed him the cover: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" it read. "I love that book!" he exclaimed excitement filling his face.

"Me too!" we chuckled. "Have you read the whole series?" I asked vehemently.

"Of course I have! Once you read one you gotta read the rest!" I invited him to sit down and we read together, laughing, frowning, hollering at some frustrating bits when Harry could be a bit imprudent. Before we knew it we had to get going

"It was really nice meeting you." I say to Adam.

He smiles "You too. Wanna meet up again tomorrow?" he asked hopefully,

"Sure!", I leave him and go back home my spirits buoyant and my heart inexplicably jumping in my chest. It was dinner and I was busy buzzing away about Adam and all the things we talked about. My mouth full of food, spraying everywhere on the table as I rushed through my thoughts to tell them every little detail about what he was like. But because of my Mother's fastidious nature she told me not "to chew with food in your mouth young lady!".

That night the floor shook. The house bounced around and everything in it, including me. Thinking it was a dream I kept snoozing till my dad rushed in and told me to "GET DOWN!".

I opened my eyes and crashed to the floor. I crawled under my desk and held the leg tight my knuckles white from the firmness of my grip. The roof crumbled and broke right in front of me. My bookshelf toppled over with all my precious books, I had to cover my mouth. My bed was crushed by the falling debris of ceiling bits and my chair was cracked in two. I prayed that the ceiling wouldn't fall over me, I prayed for my family, my friends, and Adam. "Even if I died" I thought "I'll be with God."

I kept mumbling prayers and after praying for a bit the fear was gone. God gave me peace and kept me in his grace and safe arms as the earthquake ended. I thanked him and crawled out from under my desk. Everything was destroyed. My room that I had had since I was four. The one I painted sunflowers on myself, the one that I had picked out my own bed for, the one I had spent tireless nights doing homework in, my pictures, my desk, everything was gone. I ran out of my room to check on my family. The hallway had been demolished too, the stairs were so critically broken that I couldn't even walk down them. I saw my whole family and they came to me on the stairs. They told me to stay where I was and they brought me down with a cherry picker. "Are you alright sweetie?"

my mother asked her eyes filled with worry. "I'm fine Mom" I respond. She took my face in her hands and kissed my cheek. Firefighters, cops, ambulances, you know it, they all came to the scene. Even news reporters came to "capture it in the moment". I was worried. What had happened to everyone? Had their houses crumbled too? What happened to Adam? What about my favorite birch tree? What about my friends? The cops started to question Mom and Dad, the firefighters looked for survivors through the debris and those that lost the fight to this disaster. "I know we live in California but that was crazy!"

I whispered to my mom. "That's crazy no matter where you live honey." my mom's face was blank and pale, the color drained from her sky-blue eyes and rosy cheeks.

I had finally realized that we had completely lost our home. That was an axiom. I kept thinking that after this we would rebuild and just live life here again like we used to. But I realized that that might not be possible. My face faded. I suddenly started to run. I heard my mom yell back at me but I didn't listen. As if an invisible force were moving my feet I ran, knowing exactly where I was going. I stopped at the place where the birch tree used to be. It was gone. Cracked and crumbled a couple wood chips laying at my feet. Tears welled up in my eyes. I had been coming here since I was 2 with my dad and mom. It was like my family at this point, it was where I met my best friend, where I spent time with my family, where I fell the first time and didn't cry, but all that was gone. Then I saw him. Adam. He was running toward the spot where the birch tree used to be. Maybe he knew I'd be here. "Adam" I whispered to myself.

I ran toward him and hugged him. He was bewildered at what I had done but he slowly wrapped his arms around me and patted my back, softly stroking my hair. "It's okay, it'll all be okay." he reassured me. I felt calmer at these words and sighed a breath of relief. I parted from him "Thank you." I smiled. He smiled back "I knew you'd be here, so I came as soon as I could." there was a pause, and then we heard yelling. "Well I should probably go back now." he told me looking behind him. "Me too. Thanks again." he nodded at me and left running down the hill, I followed and ran in the other direction back to my family.

The next morning was gray. The sky, the grass, the trees, even the people. They picked up smashed belongings sobbing on them, holding them close. They ran and hugged each other relieved to see the other. Husbands and wives reunited, families and parents, best friends, me and my best friend, grandparents, practically everyone. I felt awful so I asked my mom if I could go for a walk and she allowed me to. Even she was gray. I ran to the hill where the birch tree used to sit and I wasn't surprised to see Adam. "Hey" he tried to give a weak smile.

"Hey" I said in a muffled tone.

He didn't wait to give the news, "I got a birch seed. I thought maybe we could plant a new one! It might not be the same as the old one but you can always make new memories can't you?" he was oscillating gripping the birch seed tight in one hand.

I broke into a smile, "You'd do that for me?" I asked him.

He turned red "Of course I would, you're my friend aren't you?"

I chuckled "You're right I am."

He brandished the little spiky pinecone like seed and we began. He had some shovels with him and a can of water. We dug a hole and buried the seed where the birch tree used to be. We poured some water on it and stared at the spot for a moment. "It'll be perfect." I announced. Adam nodded. We left the spot and I walked back home, my heart a little lighter than before.

Part two coming in a later time!

Music starts to play as I walk down the aisle gripping my bouquet so tight it starts to slip in my hands. I kept walking, step by step, like I was one all over again, holding on to my dad's arm. I made it to the alter and stared to his beautiful eyes. All I saw the whole time was just him and nothing and no one else. "Do you Jennifer Claudia Johnson take Adam John Campbell to be your lawfully wedded husband?" asked the officiator, "I do." I responded. I had been waiting a long time to say that, and here I am. "And do you Adam John Campbell take Jennifer Claudia Johnson to be your lawfully wedded wife?" the officiator asked again. "I do." Adam responded loud and clear, shining. "Then I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." His lips touched mine and mine touched his, it sealed the vow like a stamp on an envelope. We celebrated all day and night, dancing around joyously being happier than ever. That night we went to the birch tree. It had grown so beautifully. I loved it. We sat. Blink. I got my doctoral degree. Blink. We had our first child, Olivia. Blink. It was Olivia's first day of kindergarten. Blink. Adam published his first book. Blink. Olivia wrote her first story. Blink. My mother passed away. Blink. Olivia was in 5th grade. Blink. Adam accepted the job offer he had been waiting for. Blink. My father passed away. Blink Adam's mom died. Blink. After two miscarriages we had our second child Brandon. Blink. Brandon took his first steps. Blink. It was his fourth birthday party. Blink. Black. Blink. Black. Blink. Life couldn't go on. He was gone with the wind. Adam flew away. Right from under me. I kneeled at his grave and sobbed, I groaned and moaned as if in agony, because I was. I still felt his sweet bright gaze looking at me. "God, keep him safe in your arms. I know the pain will leave. I pray that you'll help me. I trust in you and you alone, thank you for sending him to me. In Your Son's name I pray. Amen." I prayed to God. I knew Adam was alive with God in heaven. The burden was lifted off my shoulders and I smiled up into the heavens. "Thank you Adam. Thank you God."