Aurora Magazine 2017

Jessica Hood To Sail No More

Today I will take my last breath. I have no doubts. Puff thought to himself as he examined the once exuberant curly haired boy that stood before him. No longer interested in the simple pleasures of his youth, Jackie Paper was becoming unrecognizable. A barely audible “hey” escaped through pursed lips as his lively thumbs danced over an unfamiliar device in his palms. Jackie took no notice to the once brilliant red sail that now refused to ripple with the breeze. Whether it was from the harsh sun or the dwindling imagination of Jackie that took a toll on their vessel, Puff could not say. However, he was determined to remind Jackie of the fun they once shared. As their now decrepit vessel bled with steady laps of water that soaked Jackie’s shoes and Puff ’s bare feet, the two stood in silence. Puff examined his growing friend with a sorrowful gaze. The realization that today would be his last weighed heavily on Puff ’s heart. Jackie remained oblivious, not once removing his focus from the illuminating object in his clutch. As Puff prepared to set sail he caught an occasional twitch curl up the corner of Jackie’s lip. “It is good to see you.” A voice cracked through the dense autumn mists. “Yeah, whatever.” Puff ’s heart sank at the nonchalant reply. He always knew this day would come. Even so, it was still difficult to accept. Jackie was maturing into a young man, leaving his childhood beliefs behind. Leaving Puff behind. Puff brightened as a thought crossed his mind. “Jackie, did you bring me any gifts today?” Jackie looked up at Puff with a queer smile. “Actually, I do have something.” As he fumbled around with his pockets in search of something, Puff smiled and clapped his large talons together in front of his chest. Jackie withdrew a small carton that was adorned with a camel on its lid. Immediately, Puff ’s smile transformed into a gasp of disapproval. He was barely able to catch the carton as Jackie unexpectedly removed one of the sticks housed in it and tossed sed the remainder through the wet air. Puff ’s eyes stung with heat as tears threatened to fall. Jackie lit one end of the stick on fire and began to inhale smoke through the other.

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