Wishing Tree
679 Words
Saturday arrived quietly.
For the first time in years, Luna woke before her alarm. She lay in bed staring at the ceiling, expecting the familiar heaviness to settle over her chest.
It was still there.
But it didn't feel as crushing as before.
She reached toward the bedside table, where the little glass jar filled with paper stars rested beside her notebook. Morning sunlight slipped through the window, making the colorful stars sparkle.
Without thinking, she smiled.
A week ago, she wouldn't have believed that something so small could brighten her day.
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
Her mother opened the bedroom door just enough to peek inside.
"I'm going to the grocery store," she said. "Do you... need anything?"
Luna looked up, surprised.
It was the first time in months her mother had asked.
She almost answered, "No."
Instead, she quietly said, "Maybe some strawberry milk."
Her mother seemed caught off guard, then nodded.
"I'll bring some home."
As the door closed, Luna realized how strange it felt.
It wasn't a long conversation.
It wasn't an emotional reunion.
But it was a beginning.
Sometimes, healing didn't arrive with grand speeches.
Sometimes, it sounded like, "Do you need anything?"
Around noon, Luna's phone buzzed.
A single message appeared on the screen.
Noah: Meet me at the park? There's something I want to show you.
She stared at the message for a few seconds before typing back.
Luna: Okay.
The park was peaceful that afternoon.
Children chased one another across the grass while couples strolled beneath rows of tall trees. The air smelled of fresh flowers after the previous day's rain.
Luna spotted Noah sitting on a wooden bench, waving enthusiastically.
"You actually came."
"You asked."
"I wasn't sure if you'd say yes."
"I almost didn't."
"I know."
He laughed.
"That's why I'm happy you did."
They walked along a narrow stone path until they reached the oldest part of the park.
In the center stood a giant tree.
Its branches stretched high into the sky, and hundreds of colorful ribbons fluttered gently in the breeze.
Luna looked around curiously.
"What is this?"
"The Wish Tree."
She frowned.
"I've never seen it before."
"Most people walk right past it."
Noah reached into his pocket and handed her a small white ribbon along with a black marker.
"Every year," he explained, "people write a wish and tie it to one of the branches."
Luna stared at the blank ribbon.
"A wish..."
She couldn't remember the last time she had wished for anything.
Wishes were for people who believed the future could still surprise them.
She had stopped believing that a long time ago.
"What if it doesn't come true?" she asked quietly.
Noah looked up at the ribbons dancing in the wind.
"Maybe that's not the point."
She looked at him.
"I think wishes remind us that there's still something worth hoping for."
His words lingered in her heart.
Slowly, Luna uncapped the marker.
She hesitated before writing only five words.
I want to feel alive.
She quickly folded the ribbon so Noah wouldn't read it.
He smiled without asking what she had written.
Together, they tied their ribbons onto the same low branch.
The wind caught them immediately, making them flutter side by side.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The park was filled with laughter, birdsong, and rustling leaves.
It felt peaceful.
Then Noah quietly said, "Promise me something."
"What is it?"
"If one day life becomes so heavy that you feel like giving up..."
He paused, watching the ribbons sway.
"...come find me first."
Luna looked at him, surprised by the seriousness in his voice.
She nodded slowly.
"I promise."
She didn't know why those words sounded more like a plea than a promise.
She also didn't notice the faint smile Noah forced onto his face as he looked away.
Hidden inside his jacket pocket was a folded hospital appointment card.
His fingers tightened around it.
Some secrets were easier to carry alone.
For now... he would keep smiling.
Even if that smile was beginning to hurt.
- Writer
