The Trout.

Once there was a rainbow trout who lived in the babbling brook.

Maggie was just born that summer, but the trout was a year older.

The parents took Maggie to the brook, where she would feed the trout.

The trout grew. Maggie grew the same.

Maggie would visit the trout every single day. Sometimes twice or three times!

They could not wait to see each other and talk about their lives.

Break-ups, crushes, loves, hates, they trusted each other with their deepest secrets.

Maggie couldn't dare tell ANYONE she talked to trout.

Trout couldn't dare tell ANYONE either.

Why would they want too?

The relationships was theirs.

Nobody could possibly understand it.

Once when Maggie was 12, her dad played with her in a funny way. Funnier than other ways before.

When she told the trout, trout just said, "That's normal curiosity. You did nothing wrong. Your dad is very sick."

Maggie felt better.

Once trout got sick, and Maggie camped out all night beside the brook. Even though it was the grade 9 prom.

Maggie was the prom queen, even though she wasn't there to hear her name called. She was busy by the brook. Making sure her best friend was felling normal again.

Trout had swallowed a hook.

"Did I do something wrong?" Asked trout

"No, you were just curious. There's nothing wrong with that."

Maggie made trout feel better.

"Those men where just sick."

They could always make each other feel normal.

Even if most people would think they were abnormal.

In the strangest of shapes, they understood their circumstances.

they took the time.

One day, Maggie forgot to go down to the brook.

Then another day, the trout forgot to swim by and say hello.

Then those days became more and more frequent.

You know when you just naturally part?

But it's ok?

You both just "grow apart" but always hold a special place in each other's heart?

Trout and Maggie needed each other less and less as they grew.

Then on graduation day, Trout met Maggie at the brook.

"I'm graduating to the lake!" Exclaimed trout.

"I'm going to college!" Squealed Maggie.

What a night they had together. Saying goodbye.

In the morning they laughed one more time, and went their separate ways.

Many years later, Maggie was older.

She had a husband. She had her own little Maggie.

Only her name was Scarlet.

Maggie wanted her family to meet trout. Although it would be a great surprise to tell them the secret!

Maggie's family was pure love. she could trust them with her and trout's secret.

She couldn't wait to see trout! So many years, so much to tell each other!

Pulling up to the old house, Maggie was itching at the door to get out.

Her big old bear of a father was at the end of the porch. Mom had been sick. Too sick to come downstairs.

Maggie rushed to get situated. Her father IMPLORED her to eat dinner before the brook.

"Fine, fine, dad! But i have to get to the brook!" Was all Maggie could say.

They sat around the table. Catching up.

Even her mom came downstairs, and had more energy and smiles than ever before. It was magic. It was love.

They ate all the bread, they drank the wine, they waited for the main course.

Dad limped into the kitchen and returned with a platter.

Under the cover, was a steaming, glistening rainbow trout.

Covered in butter.

Eyes wide as quarters.

"Couldn't believe this one, just laying there ready to be dinner!"

Said Dad.

"Did the trout suffer grandpa?"

Said Scarlet.

"No Scarlet my love, almost looked happy to see me."

Said Dad.

Maggie was stone cold. She could not move.

Maggie's husband could tell something was wrong. EVERYONE could.

Maggie's mom broke the ice. "When is your mysterious friend coming dear?"

Maggie looked at trout.

Trout looked at Maggie.

Only they knew what was said.

Mother knew. After the first bite.

Father knew. After the first bite.

Husband knew first.

"She's here."