"TOSS it."

"Maybe I will..."

"Then what are we waiting for?"

I looked at him. We were alone. Just the two of us. He was staring mindlessly at the olive green water, and I was staring into his big, black eyes. Blankly. It was magical.

A lone coin stood silently at the centre of his palm, with the arm resting on the stony threshold of the wishing well he was so adamant on visiting.

UVA wasn't exactly the kind of college that let you off the leash to visit deserted places like these--- but Mike had a daunting fascination with skipping classes. And I, had a habit to accompany him in his adventurous exploits. Only this time, it was kinda... romantic?

"Hell-oooo? Earth to Cass?"

I jumped. I swear if it weren't for my reflexes I would've tripped inside. Perhaps I should daydream less often.

I turned to look at him.

"God, Cassandra Jones--- if you aren't tossing this thing down; I am", he smirked. I snatched the coin playfully. I didn't blame him. I wasn't exactly the Mary-Jane kind.

"Why do you even believe the wishes work, huh?", I quipped.

"I just do, I mean... look at you."

"Uh-huh."

The touch of copper was cold against my fingers. I could sense him standing just beside me. Light breeze fluttered through the cherry blossom trees. And as the flow of the sun melted again the pink petals of the cherry blossom. I closed my eyes. Lifting the coin to my lips, I tossed the coin in the bubbling water beneath.

I knew he was right there, flashing his I-know-what-you-wished-for smile. Memories.

✴✴✴

"Um, earth to Mom?"
I jumped again.

"Ah! Zoe! God--- you scared me!"
I had barely uttered those words as the feeling of slipping China startled me. Dishwashing was truly the worst job in the world.

"Mom! Careful!"

She steadied me as I gazed into her black eyes, concern flooding her face... and I let a breath out I didn't know I was holding. We sigh collectively.

"Look, whatever it is... stop thinking about it," she said, keeping a straight face, "It hurts."

I pause to think how I might be tearing down the childhood of my ten year old. But a sudden squeal broke my musings.

"Anyway! I'm starving!"
She grabs an apple from the basket sitting on the dining table for three.

A glare at her. She looked at me, clearly confused, probably imagining literal flames coming outta my eyes. And a second later, realisation crosses her face.

"Right, right, right--- 'Zoe, wash your stupid dirty germy hands!', yeah, know the drill "

As she runs away to wash her 'dirty germy' hands, I wondered if now would be a good time to kill the elephant in the room.

✴✴✴

Sitting by the lawn, with evening sun setting off in the horizon. The marble bench felt cold against my legs. I watched the slant sunrays bouncing off the well's tinshed.

Zoe came and sat down beside me. Taking a sharp breath, I turned to face her.

"How was school today?" I asked, expecting a positive answer.

"Um, you know... the usual," with a chuckle, an emotionless, humorless chuckle, she added--- "But there was this... um, really interesting conversation at school today,"

She paused and gulped,"the kids were asking each other what cars they owned. Well, technically their father's."

Silence. We were not used to bringing the 'fatherly' terms since... he died.

"Well," she smiled, "turned out to be a cringe fest, really. Someone owned a Porsche, a Ferrero---"

"It's a Ferrari."
"Yeah, duh!"

She throwed her hands up in disapproval, "...as if they really 'own' it."

I laughed at her silliness. For once, it felt like family again. After a moment, I asked, "They didn't ask you?"

"Oh I did... I told them he drove a tank."

Something burned inside me as she broke into tears. Her body quaking like crashing waves. I mustered up all the courage I could, and held her close.

"Honey, I'm so sorry. I just---"
I stopped mid-sentence.
"I know Mom, I know."

"It's fine. I have you."

And with teary eyes, we looked at the well together.

✴✴✴

Pointing at the wishing well, shining in the moonlit night, she said, "So, what's your story behind it?"

"Ugh, nothing special. The well came as a free deal when we brought the property so..."

"Uh-huh? I know THAT story Mum, Dad told me," she said sternly.

After stopping for a second to take my reaction, she spoke. "I wanna know your version."

I softened my stance. But gut wrenching sobs tore up my chest instead. I started forming a response, but my thoughts were just a whirling mass of 'I miss him.'

The sobbing was painfully slow, and as every breeze scattered the cherry blossoms around like fireworks--- and yes, I missed him. I missed him so goddamn much.

A swift jolt shaked me. Zoe stood uptight and said, "I know what we should do."

When she returned, her hands were full with crayons and pieces of paper. Kneeling down on the grass beside me, she shoved a piece of paper and a pen in my hand.

"Write."

The breeze rustled faster than before.
And I wrote.

Minutes later, she handed me her creation. The paper bore "I love you Daddy", complete with rainbow lettering. Oh, Zoe, I love you.

I presented her my side of the story.

"What's this?"
"A haiku."
"Of course. The bigass author you are,"

There was a self-assurance, complimented with confidence in her smile. She started reading.

"Memories of you,
Flooded back with the spring breeze,
Leaving me breathless."

Her eyes glittered. She put her arm around my neck and kissed my cheek.

After savouring the moist imprint for a moment, we walked to the well together in the moonlit night.

Two paper boats rode the olive green waters of the wishing well. Afterall, my wish came true.

✴✴✴