FOOLS RUSH IN... OR IS IT OUT?

For Fools rush in where Angels fear to tread. It is an old phrase, but it can still be used today. Take my granddaughter Jenny for instance, she was a fool for following me. I told her that part of my life was over. I warned her. Still she rushed in.

I am a very old man, though to look at me you would never guess my age, or even come close. I have lived for hundreds of years. I have had hundreds of lifetimes. I have had hundreds of wives who have died of old age, illness, giving birth or any of a number of things. I have had more children and grandchildren than I can count. I admit I love them, but I get restless. I feel the need to move on.

My time in each place grows shorter as I continue my search. For what? I do not know. Jenny has not made things any easier. No matter where I go, she finds me. I have changed my name, traveled to the remotest places, and still she finds me. How does she do it? What does she hope to accomplish? She is only going to get herself hurt.

I have tried to start a new life, like I always have done after the death of a wife, but Jenny was there every time I tried. She has successfully scared off at least a dozen potential spouses. It has been frustrating. I have been forced to take drastic measures. I did not want to do this. I have always moved forward, never looking, or going, back, but she has left me little choice.

Time is like a river, flowing in one direction. People are content to simply ride the river, but that does not mean one can't go against the river's flow. It is not easy, but it can be done. I don't like traveling to the past, but here she can not find me. Here, she can not ruin my new life.

It has been nearly six months since I came here, and there has been no sign of Jenny. I am getting married again next week to the daughter of an Earl. It will be nice to live the posh life again. When I was married to Jenny's grandmother, I worked for an automotive company. The pay was decent and we lived well, but not like this.

"Excuse me, sir, but there is a young lady downstairs, who wishes to see you," says my fiancee's butler.

"A young lady? Did she give a name?"

"No, sir."

Who could she be? I couldn't be... could it? I descend the stairs. She comes into view. She is dressed according to the fashion of the time. It can't be. She has her back to me. I wish I could see her face. I wish I knew if it... I'm being silly. There is is no possible way it could be her. I reach the bottom of the stairs. I clear my throat. She turns.

"Hello grandfather."

No. No! NO! It's impossible! How did she get here? Never have any of my children or descendants ever shown the slightest indication of inheriting my power! I watch every generation closely to make sure they don't have it! She was just an ordinary kid like the others!

"That was clever trick, hiding in the past, but I still found you."

"H-How?" was all I could manage to say.

"I told you before. We are connected. Wherever you go, I will follow."

I feel weak. The world is slipping away from me. I sit on the stair to avoid falling. I am tired. For once in my life I feel old. "Why won't you leave me alone?"

She sighs, puts her arms around me, and kisses my forehead. "Because I am your granddaughter, and I love you."

"So? I have had thousands of grandchildren over the years. I just want to get on with my new life. I am done with my old one. I even had a funeral!"

"Are you happy?"

"What?"

"Are you happy?"

"What kind of a question is that?"

"The most important kind."

Am I happy? I don't know. I exist. Some days are better than others. Some times seem brighter. But, looking back on my life, through all the many marriages, births and deaths, it all seems pale, like the world was painted in pastels. I never stayed in one place long. I was always moving on. Searching. For what? I don't know.

Am I happy? Have I ever been? "I don't know."

"Grandfather, this time we have spent in this game of tag, has been interesting. I have learned more about you than you realize. I have learned to use the power I have inherited from you. Everywhere you go you leave a trace of yourself. I know you have been looking for something. Something you can't see. Something you can't quite put your finger on."

She knows. I want the empty ache inside me to fill, to be satisfied. And yet... I feel the pull. The pull to move on. Move on to where? Where can I go that she won't follow?

"I will always be with you. No matter where. No matter when. I am a part of you. When you hide from me, you hide from yourself. Come with me. I will show you what you are missing."

Her hand hangs in the air in front of me, waiting for me to take it. Do I dare? She smiles and we are caught in the time stream. Our clothes change as we move forward.

We come to a stop in the livingroom where Jenny first learned of my immortal nature. Where I had spent many years as a grandfather clock, sleeping away the time until my wife died. Not letting go of my hand, she leads me to the kitchen where my daughter, her mother, is setting the table for dinner.

"Grandfather has something to say to you."

My daughter's left eyebrow rises as she looks at the two of us. Jenny pushes me forward. I don't know what I am supposed to say. "Kathy... I..." I turn to Jenny. "What do you want me to say? I'm older than I look? I lied to her and her mother? I'm immortal?"

"Tell her how you feel."

I look into my daughter's confused face. Her eyes are so much like her mother's, but that little twitch of the mouth that is always ready to break into a smile if she would only let it, is mine. Mine. That is what she meant. This is what I have been searching my whole life for. I have been a fool. Such a fool. All those centuries wasted, looking for what I had had from the beginning.

"I love you, my little Katty." I had called her that as a child. It was my name for her. No one else ever called her Katty. No one dared to.

Both her eyebrows rise now. "Dad?"

I nod. She hugs me. I hold her close.

"Thank you, Jenny."

For the first time in my life, I belong. I feel loved. I have connected.



Elizabeth Williamson Copyright © 2009

TOPIC: ONE YEAR

this month marks one year for Creating Story! woohoo! good job people. i appreciate all your fun stories. and your comments on my weird ones. so this topic is going to be a little open. you can write for a topic you missed. or something you're just dying to post.

by the way my apologies for being lame through april but i've been swamped with school work. i'll make it up to you this month. probably with something weird as usual. happy writing!