Coreopsis 18 b

     Sarah went outside finding the path by the wall the Count told her about. The path led to the river. There on the sandy bank she stood watching the calmness of the water drift past; her mind a million miles away. 

   “I was afraid you wouldn’t show.”

   She didn’t acknowledge his presents. He walked over to her. She was trying so hard to conceal the tears Orion stirred in her. At this point in time she hated him. The Count wrapped his arms around her. “Please don’t cry.”

   She sobbed that much harder. He wrapped her in a warm embrace. She laid her head on his chest. 

   “Come now, dry those beautiful eyes.”

   “Beautiful indeed, you are bios.”

   “I have a right to be.”

   The smell of his cologne brought back memories of her 10th birthday party. They had so much fun. “Can we go back to when I was 10? Can I go back to being that little girl again?”

   “Oh my child, what’s wrong.” asked the Count.

  She held him as tightly as she could, “I don’t know. I can’t put into words how I’m feeling.”

   He guided her to set on the ground by the calmness of the flowing water.

   “Try my dear.” He wiped away her tears.

   “Where have you been? I haven’t seen you since the open house for my practice.” 

   “I’ve been around.” He ran his fingers through her hair. “You are as beautiful as ever my child.”

    She just smiled. “I need you around just for the ego boost.”

    They sat there in the silence of the river for a long time. The Count holding her until her encounter with Orion didn’t hurt so much. A twig snapped and drew their attention behind them. Orion was walking down the path. They both got up as he approached the spot where they had been standing.