The Gift 3

Hello, dear Invisible Friends! Hold on!

Did you read about my tasty light lunch?

What about Twirl?

What about the special edition of Twirl?

You did? Fantastic. Now, who is up for a light lunch? I'm buying...

Although I never promote movies or books, I must say I saw for the preview for this on TV today and screamed so loud Ben thought zombies had burst through the patio. I haven't been this excited since Stranger than Fiction.

And now for what you've all been waiting for....what's in the BOX!

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"Oh my God," Samantha repeated, staring inside the small silver box.

"What is it?" her friend Ashley asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

"Yes, come on!" Cleo nearly shouted, teetering perilously on the armchair. "What is it? I can't see that far without my contacts?"

Even Jeremy seemed curious. He stood up and wondered over, peering over her shoulder. Samantha glared at him and he blushed, taking a step back.

"It's a flower," Samantha informed them, lifting the tiny bloom out of the box. A deep blush colored lily-like flower with burgundy tips rested in the palm of her hand, no bigger than a quarter. Silver specks glimmered in the bright blue center and the petals sparkled in the dim light. "And look, there's another note!" She plucked a yellowed small scroll out of the box.

"Oh," Cleo cooed. "How cute. A scroll. So old fashioned." She glared up at Jeremy. "Much more appropriate than work out DVDs."

"I'll take it back and get a necklace!" Jeremy sputtered.

"Oh, it's way too late for that," Ashley informed him. "You might as well just roll over and die." She turned to Samantha as she carefully unrolled the tiny scroll. "What's it say?"

Samantha peered down at the thick black ink. "Dear Samantha," she read. "Even this rare bloom cannot compare to your beauty. Until sunset. Love, Me."

"Who is me?" Jeremy demanded, his cheeks turning red. "And what is going on at sunset?"

"Breathe," Ashley snapped. "It's almost ten at night. It's probably from a poem or something."

"Is this flower real?" Cleo wondered aloud, poking at the elegant blooms. "It looks real, but it's so soft. Wouldn't a real flower be rotting right now?"

"I've never seen a flower like that," Ashley pointed out. "I mean, it looks perfect. Like it was carved out of glass or something."

"It's a stupid silk flower," Jeremy sneered, his voice a little too loud. "It's probably just a joke. It's not like you have a secret admirer or anything. I bet Ashley or Cleo did this."

"We did not!" Ashley snapped.

"You're simply the worst boyfriend ever!" Cleo growled.

"Whatever," Jeremy snorted. He plucked the scroll out of Samantha's hand. "It's just some stupid prank."

"And what if it's not?" Samantha's voice was quiet, but hard.

"What?" Jeremy blinked. Samantha swiveled her dark head around, her light green eyes piercing his.

"What if it's not a stupid prank?" Samantha repeated. "What if it is a secret admirer?"

Jeremy snorted. Samantha's eyes flashed, but her voice remained calm. "Just because you don't recognize my value doesn't mean others do not." Jeremy squawked and Samantha shook her head. "I think you should leave. I'm tired and we're going to bed."

"What do you me we?" Jeremy glared at her. "All my stuff is in your room."

"That's easy to fix," Samantha replied, her voice icy. "And I prefer you do it soon. I'm not sharing my room with someone who doesn't appreciate me after three years."

Jeremy's face tightened and he stormed off, slamming the cabin door. Amy and Cleo immediately rushed to their friend.

"I'm ok, I'm ok," Samantha reassured them before they could speak. "I know I sounded harsh, but I'm just frustrated. I really thought"-- Tears sprang to her eyes.

"Oh, honey." Ashley smoothed her hair. "Why don't you go lay down in my room? I'll get your stuff for you later. I'm so wired right now I'll probably watch a movie." Cleo nodded, patting her shoulder. Samantha forced a smile on her face.

"Thanks," she said. Plucking her flower from Cleo, she picked up the tiny scroll Jeremy had dropped on the floor and toddled off to Ashley's room with both pressed to her palm firmly. In Ashley's room, she dropped the tiny flower into a glass of water and slid the scroll under her pillow.

"Love, me," she repeated, shaking her head as she slid under the covers. "Who is me?"

She was asleep immediately. The next morning, she stretched in the early sunlight, careful not to disturb the snoring form of Ashley's next to her. Sliding out of bed, she stood up and stumbled to the dresser. Smiling, she leaned over the glass to finger her floating flower.

Her eyes widened. "Ashley," she whispered. "Look at this!"

To be continued...

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! Tomorrow Bear and Bitty go on a search for a moose. We also have a new BBQ chicken recipe, another Twirl and a interview with the cookie stealing bunny! Stay tuned!