Grandmother's Promise

Serena followed Karissa around like a devoted puppy or like a little duckling after its mother. It didn’t bother Karissa, although it took some adjusting—it was so different than what she was used to. Actually, that wasn’t completely accurate; the following didn’t bother her, but the swirling rumors from the other kids did. They started lumping Serena into the accusations, insinuating that she ate kids, too—that’s the only way she could tolerate the presence of the monster, the Lone Wolf. Indignation burned in her stomach at the false allegations. Sure, they weren’t true about herself, but Karissa didn’t go out of her way to interact with others. Despite the fabricated nature of the claims, Karissa could at least understand how one might believe it. The same couldn’t be said about Serena. She was way too pure. Too innocent. She radiated sunshine. How the other kids could lump her into a “monster” status, dubbing her a fellow child-consumer was unfathomable. Did they even have functioning eyes? She heaved an exasperated huff. Did the brains housed in their thick skulls work at all or were they merely just for show? The flock mentality of people was rather tasteless.

Karissa eyed Serena as she happily skipped alongside her, oblivious to all the slander the others concocted, on the way to her—their tree. Most recesses were spent at the pear tree they had met at several weeks ago. Karissa spent a lot of time there, regardless, but Serena happily tagged along, attributing great personal significance to the tree where she met her first friend.

Karissa mulled over how to approach the subject; she didn’t want to upset her new friend, but it didn’t seem right to let her go along blithely in the dark about what was being said. As they reached the tree, she inquired, “Serena, you… you do know what the others are claiming now, don’t you?”

Serena cocked her head to the side, unsure of what Karissa was referring to.

Karissa took a deep breath and tried again, “You know… they’re lumping you in with me now, insinuating that the Lone Wolf is training a ‘new puppy’ to be a vicious killer.” Karissa kept her gaze on the ground, guilt gripping its mighty claws in her gut. She had finally gotten a friend, one to be treasured, but she was tarnishing any reputation Serena had. Some friend Karissa was amounting up to be. Maybe she really wasn’t cut out for this friendship thing after all. She mumbled, “You don’t have to keep being my friend. It’ll only lead to your suffering.”

Serena was shocked. Noticing how Karissa still refused to look at her, Serena gently grasped Karissa’s hand. She softly replied, “They can talk if they want to. I know better than they do. Neither of us are vicious killers.” She crept into Karissa’s view, breaking out into a tender smile. “You’re a great friend. It’s their loss that they can’t see it. You only said that to try and protect me, but this is the happiest I’ve ever been! I couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong and why other people wouldn’t be my friend. I thought maybe I was broken or something. But then you came along and changed everything!”

Karissa blinked rapidly, willing the tears away that threatened to fall. Serena wouldn’t abandon her. She wanted to stay. Despite all the harsh accusations now directed her way. Despite how things would likely be that much more difficult. She actually wanted to remain her friend. Wishing the emotions roiling around her heart to dissipate, they were too often a sign of weakness, Karissa tried to calm herself.

“We’re still friends, right?” Serena asked. “Maybe… maybe even best friends?” There was a hopeful gleam in her eyes.

Karissa merely nodded, too choked up to properly form words. This Serena… she was a strange one. No one ever wanted to stay. No one ever believed she was anything other than a “lone wolf” and “monster.” Not only did Serena want to be her friend, she wanted to be best friends. Karissa never believed she would see the day. Past experience provided all the confirmation Karissa ever needed to verify that belief.

She recalled her grandmother’s words when Karissa had informed her of such. She had been around four at the time. Her grandmother had chuckled, admonishing kindly, “Pay no mind to those individuals. They aren’t worthy of your time. If they can’t see how wonderful you truly are, don’t waste another breath or thought on them.” She paused, gazing straight into Karissa eyes as she lovingly held her face with both hands and emphasized, “There’s someone out there that will see it, though. Somehow, someday, they will find you. Once they do, they won’t want to ever let you go. You just haven’t found them yet.”

Karissa, while recognizing that her grandmother was all-around wise and knowledgeable, scoffed at the idea. It seemed inconceivable. She was convinced she was better off alone. Now, glancing at Serena smiling tenderly directed at her and her alone, Karissa wasn’t so certain. Maybe she had been mistaken… Sorry, grandmother… I should have believed you and had more faith in your promise.

Serena was still warmly clutching Karissa’s hand; she wouldn’t be one to let go. Karissa noticed that there was a chill creeping into her friend’s hand. Serena had begun to slightly shiver, too.

Heaving a mighty sigh, Karissa dug through her thick jacket’s pockets and thrust her gloves onto each of Serena’s hands. She then lectured, “You need to take better care of yourself. Why are you only wearing a light jacket? Winter is quickly approaching, and a light jacket isn’t going to be sufficient. You ought to bring gloves and a hat, too. Maintaining your health is no laughing matter.”

Serena smiled sheepishly at her friend before confessing, “We didn’t have too much of seasonal weather changes back in Florida. I don’t think it crossed mom and dad’s minds; they’ve been pretty busy lately.”

Karissa huffed, taking her hat out of her pocket and secured it onto Serena’s head to stave off the autumnal chill. “Busy or not, they ought to make sure you at least have proper attire with you. Even if you don’t wear it when you leave for school wearing it, at least then you could put it on if you need it.” She shook her head. Adults could be so brain-missing sometimes. While the kids at her school seemed to be just as senseless, at least they had time to learn and rectify the situation. What had the adults been doing all this time that they were still this way? It was so distasteful. “Why are they so busy, anyway? Aren’t you important to them? Shouldn’t you and your health be a priority?”

Serena had become distracted by the dancing leaves as they drifted through the air, twirling and swirling in the breeze in their descent. Blinking, she remarked, “Hm? Oh, yeah, of course. We moved here because they were concerned about a shelter and the environment.”

Serena’s eyes followed the graceful flurry of fall leaves before continuing, “Mom has been alarmed with the rapid growth of the invasive plant species here, up in arms about how it was throwing the natural ecosystem into complete disarray. Dad, well, he couldn’t stand that the local shelter here lacks proper resources. I found him sobbing one day about the number of animals they had to put down just because they didn’t have the means to take care of them.” Serena’s eyes teared up in remembrance. “They couldn’t stand it anymore, so they decided to come here and actually do something about it. Their colleagues were just as upset, but apparently nobody else actually thought to do something about it. I’m glad we did. We’ve got to take care of Mother Earth and all of her creatures! Plus,” Serena broke out into a grin, “I got to meet you!”

Karissa processed her new friend’s speech; it seemed her best friend was one prone to rambling. She’d have to finetune her listening skills; they were hardly subpar, but she suspected that Serena would be sharing a lot, and sometimes it might come at her all at once like a raging avalanche. Still, that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing… It meant that Serena actually cared enough and valued her friendship, that she wanted Karissa to have insight to her world, jumbled and all over the place as it might be at times. Sifting through the barrage of information, she gathered that Serena came from an environmentalist family. Karissa was impressed; all the other kids seemed oblivious to anything outside of their own petty wants. Despite occasional onslaughts of words, Karissa had found that she had discovered one of the best people to be friends with. Others might write Serena off as a ditzy airhead—she was prone to being suddenly distracted—they hadn’t the slightest clue to the inner depths to her mind. Dunderheads.

Karissa acknowledged quietly, “It is nice that you’re here. Taking proper care of the Earth and all living beings is important.” She paused before emphasizing, “That being said, YOU are a living being that your parents should also prioritize caring for.”

Twiddling her fingers, Serena conceded. Karissa had a valid point.

The two lapsed into a comfortable silence. They watched the clouds drift leisurely across the vast, blue sky as they rested against their tree. Karissa had once presumed that having other people around would be unbearable, but that wasn’t the case with Serena. Turned out, she only needed the proper company.

Serena sighed, marveling at all the vibrantly colored leaves. She whispered in awe, “The Earth is such a beautiful home.”

Karissa considered this. Indeed, the Earth was home to many breath-takingly stunning sights: mighty mountains, winding rivers, sparkling oceans, lush forests, deep valleys. Each was unique and incredibly amazing.

Her brow crinkled. In comparison, humans were like an unsightly, raging blemish marring Earth’s pristine surface. They raged wars. They built heinous factories that spewed out smothering pollution. They littered. They pillaged and destroyed the Earth in pursuit her resources. Too many seemed thoughtless and insensitive to the needs of anyone outside themselves. Karissa couldn’t fathom how the adults allowed it to proceed and spiral out of control like this. Many didn’t even recognize that this was a problem. Her mouth curled in distaste. She couldn’t believe she shared the same species as them; they seemed so inconsiderate and insincere, lying and cutting corners to get out on top. Frankly, she had been losing faith in humanity. She glanced at Serena. Well, maybe the whole race wasn’t a lost cause. If Serena was anything to go by, her parents were acceptable. Well, she grimaced, as long as they didn’t get so swept up in their philanthropic aspirations that they neglected their daughter.

Serena reached over, clasping Karissa’s hand. She leaned her head against Karissa’s shoulder and exhaled, “I’m glad I get to spend recess here with you.” Smiling, she whispered, “It’s like we have our own little world. It’s so beautiful out here, away from the playground. It’s almost like we’re not even at school anymore.”

Karissa hummed in agreement. It’s why this was her spot on the fringes of the school property. It had a completely different vibe out here. No jarring manmade buildings. Just the view of trees in the distance and a vast sky. It was peaceful. It was perfect. It was balm to her weary soul.

“We’ll go on lots of adventures together, right?” Serena inquired enthusiastically.

“Hmm, I’m sure we will, but you’ll need to take better care of yourself. If you catch cold, you can hardly go on adventures.”

Serena gave her a sheepish smile before promising, “I’ll do my best, but I know you’ll take care of me if I forget!”

Karissa sighed, albeit good-naturedly. She suspected she’d be doing a lot of that with her new friend.