A golden chain, adorned with crystals, shone on Meg’s palms. She turned the necklace around and around and had to blink every time the light from the window hit the necklace, blinding her. A big, white pearl hung from the chain. Meg ran her finger on its smooth surface, but her attention was on what it looked like.
– So different than it did on great aunt’s neck, Meg whispered out loud. She glanced at the ticket, waiting next to her on the table, and put the necklace in the drawer in front of her. The drawer gave a laugh as it closed.
Her great aunt’s necklace would have fitted the white sheath dress perfectly. Meg hurried forward, her white slippers clattering on the damp surface of the street. She hadn’t noticed the rain. Her reflection bowed down into the depth of the earth.
The movement created a sector and Meg stepped inside from a broken frame. The clatter became clearer and more slippery. Meg didn’t smell the coffee.
– You’re almost late, said Smile. Meg sat beside her.
– It’s fine, since I have a seat ticket, Meg said. The ones who had arrived before her, had sat back down by now.
Meg turned to look at the stage. Smile looked at Meg. The red folds in front of them disappeared into the air. Smile turned her gaze too.
A fenix flew on the stage. Meg looked at its colours and shapes. The bird was beautiful. It made Meg smile. The Fenix’s song echoed around, and Meg listened to its beauty in a daze. The fenix’s eyes were big and deep. Their wisdom turned into warmth inside of Meg. Meg looked and listened and followed the feeling’s movement inside her.
Meg’s attention was captured by something green. It could have been friendship or jealousy. A pink cloud made her smile, but the blue one looked so odd she frowned.
– An angel, Meg whispered then. She didn’t notice the wire at all. Meg noticed the fenix was still on the stage.
– I like the fenix, Meg told Smile.
– I know, Smile said, giving a laugh. – But what about the others?
Meg wrinkled her nose.
– Not really. I’m sure the fenix doesn’t either.
Smile nodded silently.
– Although, I don’t really understand, Meg said. – Why the fenix is still out there.
She pondered for a moment, and went on:
– The fenix sings so beautifully. Somewhere else, it would be appreciated.
Smile looked at Meg quietly.
– Do you know why the fenix sings the way it does? she asked then, with a smile.
Meg looked back, not knowing what to say. She turned towards the stage again, and wondered.
– It happens again and again.
After everything, Meg walked outside, Smile beside her. The air was clearer again. Meg didn’t think about the rain, but she did look at the shiny puddles. At some point, her fingers found their way to her neck, meeting with nothing.
– Your mother would have wanted you to wear your great aunt’s necklace, right? Smile said. Meg startled a bit. Her hand fell to her side.
– Indeed, she said, her laugh becoming a tight one. – But I don’t think it looks becoming on me. It’s so light and so heavy… at the same time.
– Really? Smile mumbled. – It looked to me like you were missing it.
– Of course not, Meg said, frowning. – I’ve only been thinking of… the fenix.
– Right… Smile said, sighing. Meg only heard the breeze.
Meg and Smile arrived at the seashore. Everything was there. The lighthouse, seagulls, waves and the ships. The salty wind.
– You’ve been thinking about the others too, said Smile.
– What others? Meg said sharply, but the pink rising to her cheeks gave away that she had heard this time.
– You know what the fenix is doing among them, Smile said, laughing.
– But…
Meg tried to put the inevitable away, but Smile knew she couldn’t.
– It’s wrong!
Meg’s hand flew to her mouth, after she had let something so scary out. The sky was full of clouds. 1+1=2… 1+1=2, 1+1=2, Meg thought.
– Goodness just loves something other than itself, Smile said. Meg closed her eyes.
– I thought the others had come so early because they didn’t have a seat ticket, Meg said with a sigh. She almost felt like crying. Not out of sadness, but she felt something heavy.
– No, Smile admitted. Meg closed her eyes again.
– I have looked at the rain. Even ashes, Meg told Smile.
– I know.
Smile smiled.
– I know why the fenix sings so beautifully, Meg said. – Again and again…
Meg turned to look at the sea, and she knew that somewhere in the deep, there rested a seashell.
– What if there was only one cloud in the sky?
Meg dared to look up. She could only guess, before she saw the answer. She took Smile’s hand. For a moment, Meg didn’t recognize the colour.