The Emerald Touch
The Park was Unusually Quiet that Evening.
Autumn had settled over Emerald City, turning the trees into Shades of Deep Emerald, Gold, Copper, and Burgundy. A soft Breeze moved through the Leaves, sending a few Drifting across the Winding Pathways.
Beyond the trees, the Emerald-Green Lake shimmered beneath the Moonlight.
Samantha sat quietly on a wooden bench Overlooking the Water.
She wore an Elegant 1920s Emerald dress, its fabric catching tiny flashes of Gold whenever she moved. For once, she wasn't thinking about Where she had to be, What she had to do, or What tomorrow might bring.
She was Simply Listening.
The WATER.
The LEAVES.
The BREEZE.
And then she heard him.
"Relax."
"I Am Relaxed" Samantha responded.
"Not quite."
Larry sat beside her.
In his hand was a Gorgeous Emerald Stone.
It wasn't small.
But it was Beautiful.
Deep Green. Smooth. Almost Glowing Beneath the Moonlight.
Larry placed it Gently Against her Shoulder.
Then Slowly Moved it Across her Skin.
She Closed her Eyes.
The Sound was almost Imperceptible.
A Soft, Delicate Glide.
Stone against Skin.
Fabric Moving.
Leaves Whispering Overhead.
Water Gently Touching the Shore.
He Moved the Emerald Again.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Almost Rhythmically.
"Listen," Larry Whispered.
She Breathed in.
The Breeze Moved Through the Trees.
A few Leaves fell around them.
"Do you Hear that?"
"The Water?"
"That too."
He Smiled.
"Everything is Moving, but Nothing is Rushing."
He continued moving the Emerald Slowly across her Shoulder.
"That's what I like about Emeralds."
She Opened her Eyes.
"What?"
"They Remind You that Growth doesn't always have to be Loud."
He Paused.
"Sometimes Growth is Quiet."
Another Slow Movement of the Emerald.
"Sometimes it's Simply learning how to Breathe Again."
Samantha Smiled.
"And what else does an Emerald Remind you of?"
"Balance."
Larry moved the stone Gently across her shoulder.
"Harmony."
Another slow Touch.
"Renewal."
The Lake Reflected the Moon behind them.
"And Compassion."
She looked at the Stone.
For a Moment, Emerald City seemed Completely still.
No Traffic.
No Crowds.
No Obligations.
Just the Lake.
The Trees.
The Emerald.
And the Sound of Larry Reminding her that she didn't have to Hurry.
Then—
"THERE YOU TWO ARE!"
Larry and Samantha both laughed.
Chad, A Friend came rushing down the Pathway,
disturbing the Peaceful little Moment.
"I been looking Everywhere for You two!"
Samantha stood.
"What happened?" she asked. Chad Grinned.
"You haven't Heard?"
"Heard what?"
"The Emerald City Autumn Masquerade!"
Their Friend looked toward the Planetarium.
"The Masquerade?"
"Tonight."
The Excitement Immediately Changed the Atmosphere.
Chad pointed toward the distant Yellow Brick Road.
"It's right near the Planetarium. Jazz. Dancing. Lanterns. Masks.
And Apparently the Entire City is Going."
Chad looked at Samantha.
"Are you going?"
She smiled.
"I suppose I am."
The Three of them began walking toward the Yellow Brick Road.
Behind them, the Emerald Lake continued to Shimmer.
Leaves Floated across the Water.
And Somewhere behind them, on that Quiet Park Bench,
the touch of the Emerald Stone remained warm on her Skin.
Ahead, the road Glowed beneath the Autumn Sky.
Lanterns began appearing One by One.
Music Drifted through the Trees.
And Beyond the road stood the Magnificent Planetarium,
waiting for Midnight.
​
