Unexpected Song

[Daphne Manos]

The sun was shining and the birds were singing. It was a beautiful day; a storybook day. Daphne smiled and hummed under her breath. She felt like she was in a fairytale, like nothing bad could happen. Her face was beaming and she couldn't stop smiling. Suddenly, she had the urge to read. It was a nice day and going to the park to read would be a nice escape.

She turned a corner and headed to the Harlem book store. She'd heard about this quaint little book store from a friend and had been wanting to try it out; today seemed as good as a time as ever. The bookstore wasn't to far from where she was, so it didn't take her very long. When she arrived there, her smile grew. The bookstore was small, but it was cute. It just added to the perkiness of the day.

Daphne was in there for about an hour; she bought a couple of books. Smiling at the clerk, Daphne watched as she put her books in a bag and handed Daphne her change. Daphne thanked her quickly and started for the door. An inaudible gasp escaped her lips as she arrived at the door. It was pouring rain! How had this happened? Just an hour ago it was perfect outside! Daphne sighed and pushed open the door. The cool wind hit her immediately and she winced at the sudden change in her body heat.

Taking a deep breath, Daphne ran out in the rain. She hadn't prepared for this and wasn't wearing the right clothing for this (not that she had any other clothing to wear). Her whole body was drenched within seconds. She was about to give up on running when lightning cracked in the distance. Daphne jumped and yelped. That scared her. Turning around, she dashed off, willing herself not to scream when another flash of lightning sounded.

All of the sudden, Daphne ran into something hard and went spiraling to the ground. Landing in a puddle, Daphne was now completely covered in water and mud. She groaned and cursed in Italian before looking up to see who and/or what she had run into.

[Carter David]

“Ugh… the zoo!”, was the first thing that crossed Carter David’s mind when his little brother, Jack, said that is where he wanted to go for his birthday. “Yes, I’m sure. Why don’t you like the zoo Carter David?” Carter loves his brother, but hates the zoo, because it had been Beth’s favorite place to go… before she died. Because Jack was so young when Beth died, he didn’t remember her that well, so Jack never could realize that was why Carter was always sad. “Never mind that Jack, it’s not important. But if the zoo is where you want to go, then we are going to the zoo.”

Like most 6 year olds, Jack was full of energy, and was running most of the way to the zoo, making it hard for Carter to keep up. “Ok now, slow down Jack. It’s a nice day, and the animals aren’t going anywhere, take your time.” Jack slowed down to walk with Carter, but that also meant that he would start to ask Carter questions. Then Jack was very quite for a little while, but Carter thought it was because it was raining. Then Jack asked, “Carter, when I can become a newsie like you?” Carter knelt down so that he could look his brother in the eye and said, “Why do you want to become a newsie? Your life will be better if you stay in school. You can grow up to be anything you want.” Even through the rain, Carter could see that Jack was crying. Jack pulled away and said, “But if I become a newsie, I can spend time with you.” Jack then ran away from Carter. “Jack, Jack get back here. Jack, look out!” Right after Carter said that, Jack ran into someone, and she fell. Carter ran to catch up with Jack and apologize for him. “I am so sorry. Here let me help… Wow!” The girl that Jack had run into was beautiful. “Oh, sorry. Hi, my name is Carter David, and this is my little brother, Jack.”

[Daphne Manos]

Smart Daphne, real smart, Daphne thought as she lay on the ground. Of course, at this moment when it is not necessary, Daphne recalled the warning that had been yelled out. “Jack, Jack get back here. Jack, look out!” It wasn’t directed to her, but if Daphne had been paying attention she probably would have been able to avoid the disaster that had just happened. Daphne glanced around, wondering if the other person was in the same position she was in. And if they weren’t, well Daphne may have to raise some hell. Whoever it was had better say sorry, no matter what. What Daphne saw made her very angry. She had been knocked over by some kid! How embarrassing was that?

“I am so sorry. Here let me help… Wow!”

A boy, older then the first, who still lay on the ground, approached Daphne apologizing. Daphne guessed that the younger one belonged to the older one in some way. The older one stuck out his hand, intent on helping Daphne up. But before Daphne could get a hold on his hand, he pulled it back a little, gazing at her with his mouth open. Oh great, Daphne thought. Good thing I’m in a good mood, buddy, or else you would be in the same position as me. Even thought Daphne enjoyed the attention she got from her beauty, it got very annoying at times. Some girls would scoff at Daphne at that thought, saying she should be more thankful for the gift she had. Well, Daphne would reply, maybe you should be thankful for the gift you don’t have!

“Oh, sorry. Hi, my name is Carter David, and this is my little brother, Jack.”

This time, Daphne got a hold on his hand and used it to pull herself up. Brushing herself off, Daphne plastered a smile on her face. She hated little kids. Yes, she was in a good mood, but not even a good mood could fix the problem of a little kid. Hopefully, his older brother would have more brains then his younger brother, or else they would have a problem. She grasped his hand in a strong handshake, one which surprised most, and replied, “Don’t worry about it. Kids will be kids.” At this, Daphne glanced down at the little boy, her eye twitching from having to hold in the look of disgust that was dying to come out. “Hello, Carter,” Daphne continued, locking eyes again with the boy. “I’m Daphne.”