C/o: The Great Pink Lawn Flamingo

"Alec!" Mrs. Hornby cried. "Did you take out the trash yet? Make sure Alpha gets his bath! I'm not paying you for nothing, you know."

Alec sighed and continued lugging the garbage bags toward the street. It wasn't fair being the new kid. Why did his family have to move three hundred miles away just for his dad to breathe some "clean" air? Stupid asthma. School started in a month. He hadn't met any kids, his age at least, because he worked for Mrs. Hornby, the invalid with an attitude. He would be going to school friendless and lost. That was never a good combination.

"I don't pay you to lollygag around!" Mrs. Hornby barked in Alec's ear. "Get moving! Alpha needs food and a bath. Get to it!"
"Yes Mrs. Hornby," Alec answered dutifully. Gosh, he could learn to hate that dog. Dragging the washbasin outside, he called the little Cairn terrier over. "Alpha! C'mere boy!"

Alpha came bounding over, always eager for attention. He jumped in the bath and began playing in the water. Alec could always count on Alpha for that. Alpha loved water. Deep in thought, Alec surveyed the yard, his eyes resting upon the pink lawn flamingo. Suddenly, as if pulled into a time machine, Alec thought about his favorite book. His mother used to read it to him when he was younger and more gullible. He remembered the title, The Great Pink Lawn Flamingo by I.M. Pink. Every day when he came home from school, Alec would snuggle up against his mother on the couch and she would read the book with its worn, dog-eared pages about a "great pink lawn flamingo" that heard everything and answered wishes. He remembered the one year when he wrote to the "great pink lawn flamingo" and was crestfallen when he did not receive a reply. Of course, he had been unsuccessful in finding a pink lawn flamingo. That was where he was supposed to place the letter. According to the book, all he had to do was find a pink lawn flamingo, write a letter with his concerns, place it in the beak of a pink flamingo, and wait for a reply. Well, he would try anything in order to make friends. as long as no one saw him.

After collecting his pay from Mrs. Hornby, Alec walked home. That night, he sat at his desk composing his letter.

Hi. As a child my mother often read me the book, The Great Pink Lawn Flamingo. It was my favorite book. When I grew older, I told myself that it was nonsense and not to be believed, but now, I'm friendless and school starts in a month. I hate being a new kid. All I want is to walk into school and to have at least one friend.
Rereading his letter, Alec realized how corny it sounded, but he knew that everything he wrote was true.

When he arrived at Mrs. Hornby's the next morning, he stopped and looked up and down the street. When he was positive no one was looking, he began to put the letter in the flamingo's beak. Stopping for a moment, he shook his head, unable to figure out why he was resorting to childish behavior. Deciding to go through with his plan, he sheepishly kneeled and placed the folded up letter in her pink lawn flamingo. Alec took a deep breath and rang Mrs. Hornby's doorbell.

"Come in, boy! The garden needs watering and Alpha needs his breakfast," the invalid ordered as she hobbled into the house, leaning heavily on her cane.

____

Remy stared across the street, her hands clutching the purple curtains that framed her window, where she saw a teenage boy stoop and place something in the beak of Mrs. Hornby's pink lawn flamingo. She smiled. Here was a boy who must have read her favorite children's book. She brushed back her long dark hair that had fallen across her tan face. Her green eyes sparkled merrily as she ran out the door and across the street leaving the curtains waving in her wake. When Remy reached the pink flamingo, she took the piece of paper from its mouth and raced back across the street.

Reaching her room, Remy unfolded the piece of paper and read the letter. No name was mentioned, but that was okay. She would write back to the blonde boy anyway. Pulling out a pen and some paper, she began writing her response.

Hi there! I may not be the great pink lawn flamingo, but I'm his substitute. Actually, I'm just a radiant beauty enslaved by his majesty. I wish. Well, I moved here, to Environ, five years ago without a friend to call my own. Even at school, I was rejected because I was different. (I guess it was because of my beauty.) I made some friends though, I'm sure you will too. Write back.

Remy folded up the letter and dashed outside. Looking up and down the street to make sure no one was looking, she placed her note in the flamingo's open beak. Then she returned home to wait.

____

"Alec! Did Alpha get his bath today?" Mrs. Hornby shrilled.

"He got one yesterday," Alec called back shaking his head. That dog ruled her life.

"No, I mean today's bath. He's very dirty. Make sure he gets a bath before you go today. Good," Mrs. Hornby ordered.

Rolling his eyes, Alec brought out the washbasin and repeated the scenario he performed every day. After Alpha was happily popping soap bubbles, Alec decided to press his luck and check the flamingo's beak. Amazingly enough, his letter was gone. In its place, another letter on lavender stationary resided. Pocketing the letter, Alec returned to his chores.

When he got home that evening, Alec dashed upstairs to his room, jumped onto his bed, and read the letter. He couldn't help but smile. This beauty, he thought, definitely had a good sense of humor. Retrieving his pen, he grabbed some paper and began writing.

Your beauty must be astonishingly rare for everyone to snub you. Where do you live? Can we meet sometime? If not, may I at least have your name? Great, now I sound like a lover about to lose his heart's desire. I assume since you told me to write back, you'll write back as well. Goodbye for now.

Having finished his letter, Alec promptly fell asleep, worn out from his day.

____

Remy was still in her room when her mother came in and signed "dinner."

"Coming mother," Remy signed back. She hated the fact that she was different, but worst of all, she couldn't blame anyone for her predicament. She had been born this way, born without hearing. She would never hear her mother's voice, only feel the vibrations. She was cursed.

____

Alec woke up, wondering about his letter-writing friend. Who was she? What did she look like? She spoke of radiant beauty: was she talking about herself? There were too many questions to ponder in too little time. Dropping off the letter in the mouth of the flamingo, he readied himself for another day of torture.

____

Remy arrived at the breakfast table, her face adorned with a wide smile. "I am going to visit Mrs. Hornby today," she meticulously signed.

Her parents looked at each other, but consented with a nod. They knew life was difficult for Remy, their only child. They had cried when they heard the news, and considered putting her up for adoption, but one look at her peaceful sleeping face decided them. She was theirs. Years of longing for a child were over; they had Remy and she was perfect in their eyes.

Remy walked across the street and retrieved the letter, reading it as she stood in Mrs. Hornby's yard. She let out a laugh, a twinkling laugh, unaware of the little brown Cairn terrier sneaking up behind her. All at once, Alpha pounced and Remy turned around. Pushed backward by the force, she fell to the ground and a panting Alpha began to bark, his wet hair covering his eyes. A tall blonde boy ran out the door, and stopped. His eye was drawn to the paper in her hand.

"Hi, my name is Remy," she signed from the ground.