Belinda finds a friend

Belinda had wandered too far. The campsite was somewhere behind her and the sunset loomed ahead. She was tired. The toad she was chasing had long disappeared, the noise of her family had faded away. The only human voice she could hear was the echo of her mom reminding her big brother Todd.. "Don't go too far!" Belinda was now learning what mom meant by those words. Her three years old heart was racing. Her toddler mind was frantic. Running, lost, dark, cold, Mommy, where... what?

What is that in the sky. That cloud in the sunset....

Is that a,

Dragon?

Sure, in movies, Disney, books, my nightmares, that one scary bible picture.... but sky? Is that a dragon in the sky? No silly, cloud. It's a cloud.

A cloud moving? Yes silly, they move. That's wind.

I'm cold and "crazy", mommy's other word for Todd. She plops down by a shrub and thinks. I did a Todd, went too far!

But it IS moving. Shivering she stands and walks to the edge of the lake. Belinda glanced down into the water. Checking again for the wayward toad she knelt to the water's edge. "Lost toad, lost me" she thought. She stood and looked toward the sky again. The sun has settled in a pool of red, blue and orange. The dragon cloud seemed to have gotten darker. It is now moving faster than the clouds around it.

She was scared, wishing her crazy, big brother would show up to get her. Like he always did. Belinda shut her eyes to see if the image was still there. She began to slowly count to ten to calm down. Another echo of mommy's voice when Todd got too excited.

As her eyes were closed she remembered how her 13 year old brother was big for his age. He was way taller than her. He wore a big afro that was kind of tangled because he would have a fit when daddy took him to the barber. Todd didn't sit still for much, especially a hair cut. "Another Sampson week" daddy would say when he brought Todd home. He's gonna be the strongest man on earth, mommy would say. "A regular dragon slayer...." Yikes! That word again.

Belinda's eyes darted open. The cloud was lower in the sky, nearer to the lake. She batted her eyes to see if she was really seeing what she was seeing. The cloud seemed to move again. She wished she wasn't alone. Mommy always called her too smart for her age. Daddy said the school couldn't teach Belinda. He said she is a wise old lady and she can probably teach the class. Mommy often said Belinda needed a bigger challenge.

The dragon cloud is moving. It is coming closer and looks like it will land on the lake. Belinda was frightened yet frozen in place. She did not have an idea what to do. Stranger danger she knew, but dragon danger, no clue.

'This is a challenge" Belinda thought. " Think this is what mommy said I needed."

The form was still in the distance. And. Yep! The cloud is on the lake! but it looks less like a cloud right now. It looks... looks...

real?! Belinda blinked as if it would help her vision. (something else Todd does). Is that a real dragon?

No way Jose! Not happening. We are far from the Bronx, but upstate park can NOT have a dragon!

"I payed ta'tention". she thought. " 'cause Todd don't listen, he hears sometimes. But he's strong and don't sit still. The tall skinny man, in an ugly brown suit with and the big dirty hat said deer, racoon, skunk maybe not likely, bird sank-u-airy. The picture cards daddy showed me and Todd."

" Todd could use a day in nature. This is what we'll see..." he said.

"NO dragon pictures! I miss my bed. I'm cold. I wanted a toad," Belinda blurted out.

The dragon was still afar off. It still looked more cloud like than dragon. As she began to move closer her deep purple form became more detailed. The dragons nose was long and flared. The snout rested over wide gums, sharp teeth. To Belinda they looked like Leggos with sharp edges. Dragon's green eyes were large and long. They bulged out on either side of her head with long reddish lashes. Her torso was long and was a lighter shade of purple. "Not Barney purple," Belinda thought. What color even is that? The skin purple is like that veggie mommy cooks in cheese and sauce. Todd won't eat it. "I don't know what purple that belly is," she thought.

Somehow the initial shock of the "challenge" had worn off. Belinda was cautious but not really frightened. "God loves babies and animals," she thought they might get along. The dragon form seemed to shrink as it came closer. It seemed to stand on the water, as if the lake were its hoverboard. The dragon looked intently and curiously at the little girl. Dragon saw her thick blue jeans and neon pink puffer vest. Her cornrows neatly gathered into two long pony tails with two big neon pink metallic bows at the end. Belinda's boots somehow matched her bows and her bright pink socks were pulled up over her jeans like Daddy taught her "to keep the ticks off your legs and see them if they try."

"I think I want my Daddy... or Todd" Belinda said out loud.

"It's okay Belinda, I won't hurt you," the dragon said with a soft low female voice.

"You know my name!"

"Yes, most animals know human's names. But we only get to talk to little ones like you. Can I sit? My wings are tired"

"Tired too, cold, what's your name?"

"Linda"

My name no B?

You are smart for your age. You speak well.

Yes - mommy said I need a challenge. Are you my challenge?

"Maybe", the dragon chuckles softly. I was asked to help you get back to your camp.

Who asked you?

"Let's just say we saw a need. You are so far away and it is so dark - there is no way you can find your way back. The other animals here can't carry you all the way to your camp before the sky is totally dark." The dragons voice was like low and kind, like an a old school teacher's voice. Belinda found it soothing and wasn't scared at all anymore. She didn't even feel funny talking to a dragon.

"You're nice," Belinda said. "Wait till you meet my brother Todd! Mommy and Daddy would like you too."

No, No Belinda. Todd maybe, but not mom and dad. I think that will be your challenge.

"Not to tell?" she said

"Yes," said Linda the Dragon.

Belinda popped up and backed away. Yelling at the top of her lungs " No deal! Don't touch!" and began to yell "Mom! Dad! Todd! Help!"

Linda looks surprised and then she remembered. "So Sorry Belinda, I sound dangerous, that's what bad human adults say. They taught you that at home right?"

Still breathing frightfully Belinda whispered yes. Then as the Dragon tried to come closer Belinda yelled again. "You a Pre-Vert!"

Linda backed away and withdrew her paws. "No my Child I am not here to hurt you."

Belinda replied sharply through her tears, "You nasty! You want secrets! Bad people want secrets with kids!"

Realizing the sobbing child was still frightened, Linda folded her wings and sat down. "No no, how about this. I can see your pink jacket from the sky. I'll fly low enough to see you and that you can hear me. I'll tell you which way to go. I won't touch you."

Belinda is crying at this point but she's a good listener and smart. That sounds safe. She knows she is lost. She wants her Dad, and Todd "the dragon slayer". She also remembered that Dad beat up "creepy Jeff" in 4B because he was mean to kids, so he could probably get this dragon too. Belinda calmed down a little and her cries became heavy sniffles.

"You not gonna touch me?" she whimpered

'No ma'am, I'll just tell you the path to take."

"From the sky?"

"Yes, we have to go now before its too dark."

What if they see you? Well that's another challenge. Todd may see me, but your parents will see a cloud

Why can't they see you?

"Innocence"

What's that?

Well its hard to explain. Tell me, Todd doesn't talk much does he?

No, he got 'taught ism'

You mean autism right?

Yes that's it. I cant say it right.

It's okay. He can't say what he saw. He'll probably see me and hear me like you do.

I hope he doesn't slay you.

I hope not either, he's strong for his age. will you trust me?

I guess, I'm cold I want Daddy... and Todd.

Yes, definitely Todd. He might understand me.

Linda sensed the trust of Belinda. Belinda actually liked dragons. She had a purple dragon pillow on her bed. Wait. Linda looked like... as she looked up into the night sky. Linda was no longer there, Belinda saw a white looking cloud with a purple haze. then She heard Linda's soft low voice. Okay Belinda take about ten steps forward, when you see that low bush with the red berries.."

"Great, I'm hungry."

No don't eat those! Just take a right at you pass it. The trail will be up ahead. your family has a pot of chili on the fire. If we hurry it wont burn"

My favorite at camp!

Belinda soon saw the bush and went to her right. She knew left was her crayon hand so she went by the other hand. she noticed that the white haze was above her. looking more cloud than dragon now. Linda spoke again.

Now turn left and you will see a narrow trail. I think this is where to got lost.

It doesn't look like a trail.

"I know," Linda said, "It doesn't."

Stupid Toad

You're not a toad!

Chasing one.

Oh, That's Right!

Belinda began to smell chili and hear Todd and her parents.

Daddy was praying real loud, because Todd was screaming her name.

Binda!!! Binda! ( he skipped the l when he was excited). "We're close" Linda said, just a little further. Now go right.

As Belinda got closer her family noise got louder. Dad was calling on God "He be deaconing" mommy would say. She heard her mom sobbing now also. As the toddler reached the edge of the clearing where they were camped, she saw the orange tent. The fire ablaze with the overcooked smelling chili. Dad trying to hold Todd so he doesn't do that spin as he jumps when he's upset. Mom was kneeling and crying. In one of those spins, Todd saw Linda first and began to point. "Shh!" Linda motioned to Todd. She had regained more of her purple form and used one wing to point down to Belinda. Todd stopped jumping broke his father's grasp and ran toward Belinda, yelling and sobbing loud...

Binda Baack!!!!!! Daddy dropped to his knees, but mommy popped up off of hers and ran to Belinda. Now Daddy was on His knees crying. Todd and Belinda looked in up into the sky.

Linda. "Okay children. My job is done here. you take care of your parents."

And remember..."Don't go too far" Todd said. Daddy now fell on all their necks. Hugging and kissing Belinda, Todd and Mommy. Even though mommy was covering Belinda with kisses and everybody is hugging everybody, the children fixed on the dragon that was slowly disappearing into the night sky.

"Bye Linda," Todd says and begins to wave at the dragon. Linda faded away over the trees as both children waved her goodbye. Their parents didn't even question the odd gestures. They both assumed Todd was saying "Belinda" awkwardly again, and the children waving each other hello.

Belinda's family ate the burnt chili and fell asleep in one big heap in the middle of the tent. In the morning, Dad had stopped "deacon dancing" long enough to pack the car and drive home. Mommy happy cried most of the ride. Todd and Belinda kept looking at each other with a knowing smile. When they got close to their apartment building. Todd looked at Belinda and whispered "dragon?!". Belinda said "purple?!".

Todd replied: "Cool"

As the family walked their equipment up the stairs, Daddy thought he would try to cheer the family up after the scare and ask what the kids liked.

"Not in cards" said Todd

Belinda smiled knowingly, and agreed

"Not in Cards, Daddy"