Chaplet: 01

I plodded through the underbrush with it lightly whipping at my bare arms and tugging at my shirt and hair, heading for the only place my young mind knew to be welcome. I noticed ahead how the kaleidoscope of foliage was giving way to a brighter, sunnier destination and felt my pace quicken.

Stepping through into the park, I didn't pause to take in my surroundings or stop to absorb the feeling of comfort. I ran forward and headed straight for the sandbox knowing that even at the young age I was at the day wouldn't wait for me to have my fun and soon it would be time for me to go. I ran as fast as my little legs could carry me and jumped just before the wooden plank holding the sand in, landing in the sand with a muffled "thump" and straightening, arms out as though I were expecting applause for my gold-medal class leap.

Instead, I found myself face to face with a rather startled little girl. This startled me as well, which sent me stumbling back and tripping over my own feet to land unceremoniously on my butt.

She stood staring at me with a look of surprised terror on her face, I must have really rattled her. Her arms were up in front of her in almost a warding gesture, or perhaps just an attempt at a buffer for if I had actually kept going and collided into her. She slowly lowered her arms but didn't look relaxed at all. I don't think she expected anyone else to be here, which was just as well since I wasn't expecting anyone either.

I scrambled to my feet, inadvertantly kicking sand around and staggering a little in my uncoordinated young body. I brushed at the back of my shorts and continued to return the girl's stare.

"I'm sorry, I didn't see you there..." I started lamely.

She shook her head, not taking her eyes from me, "mm-mm... it's ok..." her voice was so soft, barely above a whisper. It was as if she were afraid to talk. "...are you alright?"

I grinned, proudly showing off the gap of teeth from where I didn't cry when my baby teeth fell out. "I'm ok." I glanced around to see if there was anyone else there that I missed. We were the only two in the entire park. I had been coming here for months and never saw a single person. I suppose I was glad that someone else was there, she seemed nice enough. It was strange though...

I looked back at her and she didn't seem to be very comfortable with me being there. She was eyeing me warily and tugging at the belt loops of her jeans with her thumbs. I glanced past her worn Keds to the mound of formless sand at her feet. A smile crept back onto my face as I thought of a way to ease things a bit.

"Hard to shape it without water, huh?" I asked pointing down at her feet. This distracted her a bit and she glanced down as well, nodding.

"I'll go get some water." I said warmly and started over towards the hose by the closed down pool. As I got the water I noticed she had kept her eyes on me most of the time, no doubt wondering why I was there as much as I was wondering the same about her.

The old plastic pail I scavenged a few weeks back had a hole in the bottom but if you kept your finger over it it wouldn't leak. Luckily for us. When I got back to the sandbox the mysterious girl had doubled herself over the pile of sand, squatting with her knees to her chest.

"This should help a little." I said as I let the water sprinkle down over the sand. I had moved my finger off the hole just enough to let the water splutter around the obstruction. I got more than just a little water on myself from the duty but didn't care really. I had all day to dry off.

"Thank you..." she replied quietly, gently pushing more sand into the wet spots both to soak up the excess water and to get the dryer sand moist.

I set the bucket down in the corner on top of a rolled up piece of cloth that seemed to have always been there, the cloth sticking up into the hole to hold the water in a bit. Futile, I'll admit, but at least some water would be in it later for her and she wouldn't have to make another trip for a while.

I stood watching her, at a loss for what to do or say. She worked with her pile of sand, shaping it with her hands and moulding it. I was glad to see the water had helped and her pile was more managable.

"My name is Karen."

I stared at her for a moment before I realized she had spoken, "What?"

"Karen. My name is Karen." She glanced up at me, her hands stopping.

"Oh!" I laughed nervously, "I'm Chris."

Again I was caught off guard by how incredibly soft her voice was, "Hi Chris." She went back to patting sand.

I stood nervously. I didn't know anyone named Karen, so it was a bit strange I'd dream of one but... she seemed very nice and I did begin to notice how lonely it had been just playing by myself for so long.

"C-can I help?" I asked quietly, nervously. Years of being a social outcast and repeated rejection tempered my awkwardness. Even here in my dreams it clawed at me from inside making me want to run away rather than attempt to get to know someone. They always left anywa--

"Could you please?"

Startled, I nodded quickly and another grin spreading across my face. I sprinted over to the other side of the pile from her and fell to my hands and knees, eager to help. I looked up into her pretty face and blushed when I noticed she was looking right back at me, a warm smile making her face even prettier.

When I woke up the next morning I felt good. Not particularly well rested, just in better spirits.