"Misty, come downstairs," Shelen called.
Clutching her favorite stuffed animal, Misty stepped down stairs. "Yes, Mommy?" Ralan's stern, yet sad face caught Misty's attention. "Did I do something , Daddy?"
"No, Misty. You were selected by the Committee."
"The Committee?" Misty asked.
"The Committee selects people to receive a wish. You'll get a wish from the
Face In The Wall," Shelen said. "We received the official notice."
Misty sat in an easy chair with her stuffed animal beside her. She listened as her parents explained she couldn't wish for things that would cause more harm than good.
"So, I get to make a wish?"
"Yes, when we take you to meet the
Face In The Wall," Shelen said. "For now, go upstairs and get some sleep."
Misty trudged back upstairs. Shelen and Ralan watched until she was out of sight before talking in a low whisper.
"She's too young," Shelen said.
"Can't be helped. It's the law," Ralan said.
"I'm scared about all the other things she might wish."
***
Misty walked alone with her stuffed toy from the reception building to the blue brick wall just over the height of a tall man. It matched in color the human-like face existing in the middle reaching from top to ground. Her colorful dress bounced with each step. As she approached, everything about her became blue. She stopped at a marked point in front of the face to stare in awe even as the Face watched her.
From inside the building, Misty's family observed silently. They and officials were required to wait by law so they couldn't influence the wisher. Barricades restricted access for the day to the otherwise public promenade that usually featured plenty of activity.
"Hello, Mr. Face. I'm Misty."
"Hello, Misty," a female voice answered. "I might look male, but I'm not."
"Oh?"
"I was once a wisher. I chose to take the place of the Face. Unfortunately, I didn't think my wish through carefully so I wound up with his face."
"Oh. Maybe that's what Mommy and Daddy were trying to explain."
"It probably was. You're young to be a wisher."
"Mommy and Daddy said that a lot. Should I wish now?"
"You can wish whenever you're ready. There's no rush. We can talk if you like. Who's your friend?"
Misty glanced around.
"I meant your doll. Does he have a name?"
Misty held out her doll so it faced the Face. "This is Mr. Happy. He wanted to see you. I promised he could."
"I'm pleased to meet you, Mr. Happy."
"He doesn't really talk, but I'm sure he's happy to meet you. I wanted to bring some toy animals, but Mommy said I should bring only one. I guess she was right. It was crowded on the bus. Mr. Happy had to sit in my lap."
"He looks well behaved."
"Want to know a secret?" Misty whispered.
"Sure. Is it about Mr. Happy?" the Face whispered.
"He doesn't like vegetables."
"Oh, my!"
"It's true. When he doesn't eat them, I tell him I'll change his name to Mr. Grumpy."
"Does that work?"
"Nooo. I have to show him how so much, there aren't any left when we finish. Then I let him get away with it after I give him a warning."
"I can see you care about Mr. Happy."
"He's a good friend. At least he can't die."
"Did someone close to you die?"
Misty nodded. "My kitten, Fluffy, died last year."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"I thought about asking for her back. Mommy and Daddy said it's bad disturbing the dead. I don't want Fluffy to hate me, so I'm not wishing for anyone else to come back."
"That's wise. Besides, there will always be more kittens."
"Really?"
"Far as I know, there will."
"That's good. I like knowing there will be more kittens."
"Probably Mr. Happy does, too."
"I think Mr. Happy wanted Fluffy to eat his vegetables, but she wouldn't. Even so, he still missed Fluffy."
"That's understandable. You both lost a friend."
Misty nodded.
"Is there anything more you'd like to talk about or ask?"
"Um, why are you all blue? They told me inside I'd turn blue, but they didn't say why. Maybe they did, but there were too many people talking."
"I'm blue because one wisher wanted everything here blue."
"Oh. Would you like to be some other color?"
"Yes, but that's not possible. The wisher stated I'd remain blue forever."
"Oh, I remember they told me not to use that word in my wish."
"It's a good idea. Forever wishes can't be cancelled."
"Don't you ever get tired of blue?"
"I'm used to it. Still, at least I can see the clouds. Once in a while, I even see a distant rainbow. Those are real treats, just as it is for the one day each year I can speak."
"They said you might want to talk."
Misty and the Face talked for hours. At times, Misty laughed loud enough to be heard at the reception building through slightly opened doors and windows. When Misty finally walked away, only then did anyone realize she'd made her wish. As Misty approached the building, the smile on her face indicated her wish had gone well. Only when she reached the edge of the promenade could others finally hurry out to greet her and find out what she wished for, provided she'd tell.
"Misty! I'm so glad you're all right," Shelen exclaimed.
"I hope you don't mind, but I made a forever wish."
Almost immediately, the crowd became silent.
"What did you wish for?" Ralan asked hesitantly.
Misty looked up and pointed over the building. "That. I wished for that to visit for one day every month forever. I wanted the Face to have something beautiful to look at that wasn't all blue."
Immediately, everyone turned to stare at the rainbow over the promenade.
Ralan whispered to Shelen, "She's growing up."
"Yes, but it's the kind I can live with."
}|{ the end }|{
