3 Joli

Christopher watched in fascination as Joli flitted around his home. Her feet barely touched the ground as she searched for kindling. It was as if she were some wild creature with invisible wings. A mischievous spirit twinkled unashamedly in her blue eyes. Every time Joli would turn her head, a golden sheen would jump from her unruly locks. Christopher stood unmoving in the center of his large living room, transfixed by Joli. Being accustomed to only bitter cold and darkness, Christopher was both fascinated and frightened by the vibrant child. The large room consisted of; a circular rug, a never-before-used fireplace, and a large window covered by thick, felt drapery. The house was as alien to Christopher as it was to Joli. He only knew the route to his room and the front door. He had never taken the time to explore his massive house and had forgotten he even had a living room until Joli discovered it. Joli popped in and out of the room, never staying in one place for very long.

Joli came back wearing a bright smile.

"I found some pellets in your basement." She said happily. "I need some help getting them. The bags are really heavy."

Christopher silently walked behind Joli as she easily navigated her way through his house. She would skip several paces ahead of Christopher then run back as he continued to lag behind. This went on till they reached the basement. Joli unlatched the basement door and Christopher helped her lift it open. The door made a hollow creaky sigh as it was pushed open. There was barely enough light to see the stack of bags at the bottom of the stares. It was a struggle, but Joli and Christopher managed to awkwardly push/pull a bag of pellets up the stairs and to the fireplace.

As Christopher lay panting, Joli started a fire with some matches she found in a desk drawer.

"I don't mean to be rude," Said Joli with little bashfulness. "but you are an old man."

Christopher glared at Joli and his small frame continued to breath heavily.

"Why do you live in such a big house?" She asked after the fire was lit and crackling warmly.

"I don't know." He stated flatly. He was across the room in the cold shadows with his eyes fixed warily on the fire.

"What are you doing over there?" Asked Joli surprised. "Aren't you cold?"

"Yes."

"Do you like the cold?"

"I hate it."

"Well, come over here then."

Joli flopped down on the rug a safe distance from the fire and patted the spot next to her. Christopher hesitantly inched his way toward Joli keeping his eyes on the fire. It was a strange color. It wasn't white and it wasn't cold. He settled next to Joli and watched as the fire crackled and danced in the shadows. Warmth seeped into Christopher. He couldn't compare warmth to anything he had experienced. There was nothing like this feeling. Joli crawled into Christopher's lap and curled up comfortably. It was such an open gesture of immediate friendship and acceptance that Christopher wasn't sure how to react. A warm, soft feeling spread through his head and chest. Christopher looked down at the blond figure huddled trustingly in his lap. When she was still enough to be seen, Joli looked very much like a roughly handled doll. Her shoulder length curls were tousled every which way and her pretty face had smudges here and there. Her skirts were wrinkled and carelessly torn but her smile lit the room far brighter than the fire.

"Where do you come from?" Asked Christopher still staring awestruck at the foreign creature.

She rubbed her eyes sleepily and answered, "A place where the sky is blue and the sun is warm. That is where Esmé wanted to take you." Christopher was silent for a moment then asked. "What is the sun?"

Joli's eyes snapped open and she replied. "The big ball of light in the sky."

Joli popped up and ran to the window to try and fling open the heavy drapery. The ornate gold metal rod which held up the curtains wouldn't allow the drapery to move. The dark emerald green curtains remained as immovable as concrete. Joli found the slit in the drapery and wriggled in to see through the massive window. She pushed her way back out, looking confused.

"There is... There is no sun here?"

"There is no light in the sky." Christopher stated gloomily. "Only cold and darkness."

Joli stared at Christopher.

"There is never only cold and darkness," spoke Joli with sudden wisdom and maturity in her voice. "But that is all there will ever be for you if you convince yourself there is no light." She giggled suddenly. "Even the sun needs a vacation sometimes I suppose." She flitted to the rug and curled up once again by the fire.