The Crystal Horse

He wants to yell at her. He feels tears close to the surface of his mind. Tears of anger and frustration. This morning she would have had him arrested, and now she wants to ride!

But then, suddenly he sees she has sturdy legs and strong-looking young arms. Could she could she help?

Yes, he says abruptly, yes, you can ride. On one condition. We must take him to the carousel. If you help I'll let you ride.

Eagerly the child nods, and together they lift the crystal horse from it's cradle. Silently they work, the child knowing what has to be done before he asks. Slowly, very slowly, they work the magnificent creature down the alley and out onto the hard-packed ground around the carousel. The child ignores the fallen wooden horses with the poles that look like spears driven through their hearts.

It is he who must stop for rest. The child waits for him now without speaking. He is tired. So tired. But now, very close.

He nods that he is ready to go on, and once more together they pick up their burden.

The old man is surprised. This time the crystal horse does not feel quite so heavy. He smiles at the child and she smiles back.

Carefully he places the crystal shaft on the spot he has selected for his horse, then locks it into place. Uncaps the luminescent fibers and watches the crystal burst to glorious life.

Light flashes out into all parts of the small park. The child tugs at his sleeve. Now, Mister?

Now, he agrees, and lifts her to the horse's back. Here in the dark she shines like the horse itself. He steps back and grabs hold of a pole and touches the control. Slowly the huge carousel with its single crystal horse revolves.

Music, old man. Where is the music?

He understands. Even a crystal horse needs music to prance to. He flips the switch and joyous sound fills the air, spills out into the night.

Standing on the platform, revolving with the horse, the old man does not take his eyes from the shining form. In truth it is the only horse he has ever made more beautiful than the one he carries in his memory.

The carousel goes round, and round, and, suddenly dizzy with the rising, sinking, rising of the horse, the old man slides to the platform floor. He seems stationary in a suddenly spinning world.

Come on, old man. Come ride with me. Come ride your crystal horse.

A glorious sensation fills Carlus. He rises as though shedding the past. He feels light and whole. He laughs and it is the laughter of youth. The young girl holds out her hand and he leaps up behind her onto the shining crystal horse. He takes crystal reins in hands no longer misshapened by accident or age. Joy fills him. He is suffused with the magic light emanating from his glowing creation.

He is free.

Everett hears the music from his bed not far away, and the sound strikes a chill in his heart. Quickly he dons his clothes, checking the time as he hurries out the door. Five a.m. False dawn fills the sky with false promise. A foreboding washes him. He hurries down the road.

The old man! Something has happened to the old man. He knows it even before he unlocks the gate. The cheerful music creates in him an inner rage. He has known the old man most of his life. Carlus practically raised him when his own parents died. And all he asked in return was that little room behind the carousel.

Everett stops the spinning carousel and the music fades away. He searches among the silent wooden horses for what he knows he'll find.

Therethere is the body. He kneels and tears spill down his cheeks. He cradles the old man in his arms, rocks gently back and forth in his grief.

Feeling Everett's arms around him, Carlus opens his eyes and smiles. He sees Everett bending closer and feels the younger man's grief. There is much Carlus wants to say, but his voice is just a whisper now. And so he holds out his hand.

Herehere, Everett, take the coin. It is a beautiful ride.