A Grateful Dragon. Karla Schuurs

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СКАЧАТЬ she had this blasted court case looming over head head like a noose.

      And Rex…

      Urrrr…

      They barely did more than hold hands, Mira and David. David had tried to kiss Mira a couple of times, and she’d pulled away from each one. He was being patient to the point of ridiculous with her and she didn’t understand why.

      “Oh! This Saturday night. Are you free?”

      “Sure,” David’s eyes glistened and little volcanic burst of energy piped from him. Usually he initiated all their contact.

      “K, Sunny’s been dating a guy, more than like twice,” Mira giggled, “And wants to do a double date dinner.”

      “Cool, I’ve gotta tag along to Dad’s golf day. What time?”

      “Eight o’clock, at a bar called Flying Phoenix,” Mira mumbled over the name.

      “Oh sweet! I love that place!”

      Yeah, exactly Mira. Settle the fucc down, heaps of people go there, Mira scorned herself for being so stupidly reactive over a freakin’ bar.

      “I’ll meet you there then?” Mira continued, straining for a casual tone. David didn’t seem to notice the current of tension running just under her surface.

      The food came and it was amazing!

      Mira realised that, although she loved food and cooking, she was really sheltered when it came to different cuisine. It couldn’t hurt her to get out more and try new things.

      She gushed all over dinner, unable to contain her enthusiasm for culinary mastery.

      “Ohhhh m’gawd, this is delicious!”

      “It’s good yeah,” David nodded.

      His phone buzzed. He looked at it then pushed it aside.

      “You can answer it,” Mira beamed; a happy, food-appreciating mood enveloping her.

      “Sure? It’s Dad. He’s been pushing to get me more involved in the business, since I’ll be full-time swallowed by obligation… I mean, proudly stepping into an active role in the family business next year.”

      “That soon? “ Mira mused through mouthfuls.

      “Yep,” David sighed.

      “You know, you can still play tennis, and coach. It’s not like the world stops.”

      “I honestly don’t see how. Dad’s expecting me to put in the long hours. He’s ready to semi-retire, or at least take a back step.”

      “I think you’re just stuck in the mind set you can’t,” Mira blurted out. An instant pang hit Mira’s heart, as her brain registered the memory from virtually weeks ago of Rex saying those exact words to her.

      Mira felt herself concave. She retreated into herself, on instinct, like a hermit crab folding back on itself to hide inside a shell that no longer fitted. Mira physically hunched over her plate as David excused himself and went outside to take the call.

      Stop it Mira! She grilled herself, blinking back the burning tears prickling at her eyes.

      Why was forgetting about Rex so goddamn hard??!

      It was just the bloody hospital on Monday, Mira rationalised to herself. It had just stirred up memories. That was all.

      A young girl in a white, flowing energy dress, with dazzling golden hair drifted over and sat next to Mira. Her hair beamed so bright that golden, electric currents sparked off her head like a halo.

      “I have a wonderful surprise for you,” The young girl’s voice tinkled to Mira’s ears like wind chimes in a soft, spring breeze.

      “Who are you?” Mira hissed, feeling self-conscious of anyone seeing her having a conversation with David’s dinner plate.

      “I am Love,” The young apparition declared with adoration and enthusiasm saturating her tone.

      “You? A kid playing dress-ups in your Mumma’s wedding gown is the Great force Love?” Mira scoffed, “I don’t buy it. Way too cliché.”

      “I though you, of all people Little Squirrel, would appreciate that sometimes, something seemingly slight can hold an underestimated amount of power.”

      Mira had to concede to that point.

      “Ok show me quickly. My date’s coming back and I don’t want him baring witness to me hissing at his sushi.”

      She tinkled a giggle and gestured into the distance behind Mira.

      Mira was gobsmacked.

      The restaurant dissolved in enveloping fog. Mira got up and walked a little way. She was in a wood. Dew droplets adorned leafless, black tree branches in tiny, glistening diamonds.

      The bare tree skeletons told Mira it was winter here in this place. Misty rain shrouded the scene in a delicate natural veil.

      Mira was now draped in the white flowing energy.

      There was someone over the other side of the woods waiting for her, but Mira could only see a silhouette through the fog. She felt an energy pull though, like a magnet drawing her closer.

      She knew it was a him.

      Mira moved her head around, trying to see him, but the fog was too thick. He turned around and she felt he might of smiled…

      Mira gasped!

      “Where are you going?” David said catching her ‘round the shoulders.

      Mira's mind raced, clutching for a logical lie.

      “Oh, to. the. ladies,” Mira stuttered out in broken English.

      “K, see you back at the table,” David chuckled.

      Mira nodded to the floor.

       How embarrassing.

      For the rest of the evening Mira kept an even lower profile than usual, just nodding and smiling at all the right moments to David’s chatter.

      But her soul was distracted.

      She couldn’t shake the feeling from her vision.

      It had felt compelling, and right.

       Uhhhhhh…

      Gawdy, she had to get out of her own head.

      David continued to talk amiably as he walked Mira to her car, and she continued СКАЧАТЬ