Two At Sixteen

Two At Sixteen - by Tiffany Lee Truitt

They were about to turn sixteen, two girls.
For her birthday One wished desperately for a new car, the other a new heart.
One told her father she “would just die” if she didn’t get what she wanted.
The other One really would.

A warm spring day, sunshine, blue sky.
One took off for a drive in her new car, top down, and music up.
The other looked out her hospital room window. Maybe today.
One blissfully young, the other wise beyond her years.

Winding roads, sunny day, wind in the hair, the freedom of speed.
Bluebird on the window sill, she watched it fly. Free. Maybe that will be me.

They met that afternoon. Two girls.
One was confused.
One knew exactly what was going on.

Two sixteen year old girls, lifted in prayer.
One barely holding on.
One barely holding on.

“I don’t know you,” One said.
“No, you don’t”
“I hear my Mom and Dad calling,” One said.
“Me too.”

They both watched.
People praying, doctors working, angels gathering.

One stayed, and One went back.
“I have a new heart,” One said.
Soft wings gathered the other One up.

A clear blue sky, a soft breeze, family and friends gathered.
Two watching.

“I waited,” One said.
One was confused.
“It doesn’t always work,” One said.
“I see.”

Two sixteen year olds flew on the wings of angels.
Their roles on earth perfectly played.
A tragedy on earth.
A standing ovation in Heaven.

© Tiffany Lee Truitt - all rights reserved.