Daniels Song. Katherine Dobney

look! A falling star, make a wish.”

      “Hope, why don't you make a wish for both of us?”

      “Daniel, why do I see you as an angel.”

      “I don't know. I asked Willy. He knows the answer but he's not telling me. Actually, I’m sure that if I asked him once more, he would just tell me to talk to the hand again.”

      “Talk to the hand, what does that mean?”

      “Long story, I’ll explain it to you later.” All of a sudden, I felt off balance, out of sorts as if I wasn't in tune with the world around me. Then Hope gave out a little sigh and shivered.

      “Hope, are you okay, are you feeling right?”

      “I'm fine. I haven't been sleeping very well, just a little bit more confused than normal.”

      Then it occurred to me, the restless night, the emotions I couldn't understand. It was the power Willy said I would be given, the power to understand Hope. But I thought I would feel when she was in danger, not all these other emotions. Willy also said I would learn from her. One thing I would have to learn quickly would be the difference between Hope’s emotions and her fear!

      Tonight, I’ll have an interesting talk with Willy. I will have to find a way to control the emotional part of this power if I am going to protect Hope.

      “Daniel, why did your “Father” take the people I loved away from me? Why did he leave me like this, for what reason? I don’t understand. I’m just so tired of being me! And don’t you dare tell me that when one door closes, another one will open!”

      I didn’t know what to say to her at that moment. Hope was crying so hard she could hardly breath. Her body was trembling violently so I held her as tightly as I could. Wrapping her in my wings I softly whispered in the ear.

      “Hope, I wish I could turn back the hands of time for you but I can’t.” Her crying eased into soft sobs, holding onto my arms with more strength than I thought she had, afraid to let go as if I might vanish.

      “Daniel, can I stay tucked in your wings until I turn into a butterfly?”

      With a little chuckle, “Why would you want to do that?”

      “I feel like a caterpillar, just inching along through life. I want to stay here until I become a beautiful butterfly. I want to feel whole, to be new again, maybe then I could find myself.”

      “Hope… I don't think it works that way.”

      “I just want to stop feeling confused. I want to find the puzzle pieces of my life.” I prayed for her, it was a soft hum. I just held Hope in my arms. She was quiet for a long time. The only sounds were the waves gently breaking, and my prayer.

      “Daniel, what are you singing? It’s beautiful. Did you know your voice always makes me feel peaceful and calm.”

      “It's not a song, it's a prayer. We send prayers to heaven as songs. Music, from the beginning of time.”

      “What kind of prayers?” She sounded so guilty.

      “A prayer, hoping you’ll find peace and contentment.” I watched as Hope’s smile turned into a pout.

      “Or turn into a butterfly?” Her words were soft and delicate.

      “I think you might get the peace and contentment before you’ll become a butterfly.”

      “Can I have wings too?” Her voice pleaded.

      “I don't think that will happen.”

      “One can always wish.” her voice barely audible.