Chapter Nine: "Are you happy?"

These characters are not mine but the bad writing and poor storytelling are.

Oskar gripped the flat stone firmly, cocked his arm, then sent the stone soaring just above the wet surface of the pond. He watched with amazed satisfaction as the stone traveled nearly to the other side of the pond before hitting the water , skipping three times, then disappearing beneath the surface. Oskar looked on with pride from the result of his effort as a ripple of rings began to expand across the calm water from the splash of the stone.

Oskar looked over at Eli who was sitting on the ground nearby allowing her legs to dangle freely over the edge of the bank with her toes hovering just close enough to tease the water. She was wandering in thought.

"Hey Eli! Did you see that?" he asked excitedly.

Oskar's words aroused Eli from the thoughts that had stolen her attention.

"Uh...What? I'm sorry Oskar I wasn't looking."

He frowned playfully then searched the ground for another stone.

"Oh, here's a good one." he mumbled to himself as he stooped down to pick up another stone.

"Ok now Eli, watch this."

Oskar again cocked his arm and hurled the stone across the span of the pond. He watched fervently as it reached the same destination as the previous stone, sinking just shy of the far tree-lined border of the pond. He turned quickly torwards Eli.

"I wouldn't have made it half way across before." he said.

"Oskar, you are so easily entertained and amazed." Eli replied with a grin.

Oskar searched the ground again, quickly finding two more stones. After securing them he reached out to Eli with one resting in the palm of his hand.

"Show me what you got." he said, wearing a cocky smirk.

Eli got up, walked over to Oskar and accepted his challenge by taking the stone from his hand. Oskar stepped back away from the edge of the pond to give Eli plenty of room for her throw. She surveyed the distance across the pond while rolling the smooth stone around in her hand. After a quick glance at Oskar, who was standing with his arms folded across his chest, she slung the stone over the flat glistening expanse of water.

They both watched eagerly as the stone flew with breakneck speed and devoured the distance. Oskar's eyes were wide in awe as he saw the stone hit the water at the far edge of the pond, well past where his stone had sank,then bounce up into the tree covered boundry. It disappeared into the surrounding brush only to elicit a loud whack when one of the trees interrupted its course.

Eli turned to Oskar who was now standing with his arms down at his sides and wearing a defeated expression on his awe struck face as he stared off towards the sound of the impact. She tried to refrain from laughing but couldn't resist, his expression was priceless and hilarious. Oskar shifted his gaze to Eli who quickly raised a hand to cover her mouth in a vain attempt to hide her laughter. He opened his hand, let the other stone fall to the ground then smiled faintly as he spoke.

"You're such a showoff."

Eli's laughter slowed to a chuckle as she lowered her hand to respond to Oskar.

"Don't be too discouraged Oskar. In time you'll get stronger and I'm sure you'll best me."

"There you go with that funny talk again Eli. No one uses those kind of words anymore."

"What do you mean?" she asked still chuckling a bit.

"Nobody says "best" anymore. You should say...defeat... or beat... or something like that."

"Ok Oskar. I'll try to remember that the next time I ...defeat you in something."she said, her words mingling with laughter.

Oskar began a low rhythm of laughter himself as he was infected by Eli's contagious giggling. He watched as she enjoyed the moment, being very pleased that he had contributed to her jovial state. As he watched her, the glow of merriment that expanded from her form, which was shaking from laughter, reminded him of a question he had been wanting to ask her. A question that needed an approptiate time. He wasn't sure if now was that time or if there ever would be an appropriate time but the thought had nagged him for too long. He waited a few moments to allow her glee to fall naturally.

Oskar strolled over to a nearby fallen tree that had broken into several long pieces upon its impact with the ground. Eli watched as he sat on one of the branchless logs that was near the splintered trunk. He leaned forward with his head down as he began to kick softly at the loose dirt under his feet. Eli's laughter was a memory in the night breeze now as she walked over and stood in front of Oskar.

"What's wrong Oskar? You're not mad are you?" she asked with curious concern.

Oskar looked up at her, answered "No" by shaking his head, then returned his gaze downward.

"Eli," he spoke in a shy voice,"Have you ever been...happy before? I mean from what you've told me you've had a lot of bad times but have there been any happy times...any good times? Has it all been bad?"

An awkward silence fell between them as Oskar sat staring at the ground and Eli stood recovering from an unexpected question. After a few moments she went over to Oskar and sat down beside him on the broken log.

"Why do you ask such a thing Oskar?"

Oskar sat up straight, turned towards Eli and spoke sincerely.

"Well...it's just that...when we're out goofing off you seem to have so much fun. I love to see you smile and laugh."

A stray smile wandered across Eli's face.

"You've lived for so long and I just hate to think that you haven't had any happiness or any laughter in all that time."

Eli turned her face away from Oskar who could see the glimmer beneath her eyes from tears awaiting departure. He slumped back down, resumed his former posture. Now he wished he had let the question remain trapped in his mind.

"I'm sorry Eli. I didn't mean to upset you." he mumbled.

Eli looked back at him, reached out and took his hand, squeezing it tightly. Oskar again sat up looking at her with a penitent expression. To his surprise her face brightened with a huge smile. As her cheeks rose with the smile her tears fell rapidly down them. Oskar was puzzled.

"Oskar I'm not upset. It's just that... you're so caring and thoughtful. No one has ever been so concerned about me or my life before."

Oskar realized then that Eli's tears were born of happiness, love. He squeezed her hand tightly now. Her eyes drifted away slightly as she wiped away the tears with her free hand, pondered his question and searched her mind for a suitable answer. After a brief moment she placed her stare back on Oskar.

"Well...there were times when I thought I was happy or at least could be, but...for different reasons things never worked out. Those times were long ago."

Oskar listened without interrupting.

"I guess I focused so hard on surviving and what I had to do to survive that I forgot what happiness was, what it felt like. Do you know what I mean?"

"I think I kinda do. That's sort of how I was beginning to feel in Blackeberg, you know, with the bullies and everything." he replied.

Eli nooded in agreement.

"Then you understand."she offered.

"Sure, a little, but you've been alive for so long Eli. What got you through all of those years?" he enquired.

"Hope." she answered without hesitation. "Hope that I would someday meet someone like you Oskar. Someone who would love me and accept me, be my friend no matter what."

Oskar turned his head away from Eli when he felt the warmth of blushing in his face. Eli released his hand, placed hers gently on his chin and brought his face back around into view. She spoke to him with a serious yet loving tone.

"Don't ever be ashamed or embarrassed of who you are Oskar. I love you just the way you are. I'll never be ashamed or embarrassed of you."

Drops of happiness and love now formed in Oskar's eyes.

"I love you too Eli and I want you to be happy, always."

"Are you happy?" she asked.

"Of course! I've never been happier!" he exclaimed.

" Then I'm happy too Oskar and I don't think happiness ever felt this good before."

They both beamed smiles at one another then stood up. Eli walked over to the edge of the pond, found a stone and picked it up. She looked back at Oskar as she tossed the stone up and caught it without looking.

"Now, if you want another shot at the champ I'll give ya a rematch."she offered.

"Oh you're going down this time." he guaranteed.

Sounds of stones splashing, playful taunts and a mixture of laughter reigned at the pond. Sounds of mirth, happiness.