Camilla: Brother Pheasant's Journey 8

                                                         Art by Carla Lee Morrow

Mom was drinking wine. This was not a good time for her.

Dennis acted regretful, said “I’m sorry mom”, “won’t happen again” and “I will think before I act next time”, but inside he was CHEERING.

The Principal at school had called mom today. Dennis had gotten into a fight at school and if she could come in as soon as possible?

It was pure magic what had happened.

The same guys that harassed him every day, saying things like “Found those shoes at the dump or something?” or “Dude, you look like a homeless guy” had started shouting stuff this day too. But today, when the stream of mean remarks started flowing in his direction, he could feel the them around him. The Dragons. He saw the scales, felt the fire and the huge, swaying tails. And then a stream of sharp answers just came out of his chest and mouth like a wave of liquid light.

He could hardly remember what he had said but it was smart and grounded in a confidence he suddenly felt.

The biggest of his bullies, Ronald, couldn’t find any other way to respond than to give Dennis a push.

But Dennis pushed back this time.

Before he knew it, he was sitting in the Principal’s office, with a nose bleed, next to Ronald. He felt so happy.

They didn’t feel aggressive at all, the Dragons, they were warm and kind. But they had this heat that did something to him. As if his own heat couldn’t be tempered anymore.

He could hear mom sobbing in the kitchen. He would explain to her someday. 

He touched his aching nose and cheek. Proudly. Opened THE BOOK.

He was looking at the Emerald Dragon and the Pink Dragon. The Violet Flame Dragon. He could feel their fire again, in his own belly. He was swaying an imaginary tail and putting down big Dragon feet on the ground.

The Pink Dragon held a rose. The Violet Flame Dragon was accompanied by a butterfly. And there was a beautiful White Dragon with a soft, gracious tail and long eyelashes. She was accompanied by a bird, a really colourful one.

He loved this book and everything that was happening right now.

He fell asleep on the ground holding his book and his newfound friends tightly.