Two Love Birds by Melissa Willingham (children's ebooks free online .TXT) 📕

"Please, tell me another story, Grandma. I love hearing them," Elsie said.

Hazel smiled down at her granddaughter. Then she sighed and glanced over at her husband, Royce. They exchanged a knowing look. "I suppose it's time for a break from all our chores."

The three of them made their way into the living room. Hazel sat in her wing chair, while Royce slid back into his old recliner. Elsie eased onto the carpet. She sat cross-legged at her grandmother's feet, as she always did during story time.

"So, pumpkin, which story do you want me to tell?" Hazel asked.

"I want to hear the one about the two love birds."

"You mean the adventure I had with the necklace your Grandpa gave me?'

Elsie stirred about, feeling excitement bubbling within her. "Yes, that's my favorite!"

"An excellent choice," Royce agreed, pulling out a tobacco pouch and his pipe.

After packing the bowl with a tamper, he flicked his lighter. Elsie watched with fascination, relishing the familiar aroma as it filled the room. Soon, her attention returned to Hazel, in anticipation of the tale to be shared.

"Well, back in 1972, just three years before the Vietnam War ended, your Grandpa was granted a two-week leave from the Army. Before he returned home, he wanted to buy me something nice as a souvenir. So, he stopped off at the village vendors to search for the perfect gift. He looked through every item on each display stand, but nothing seemed right. He was just about to give up when he spotted something interesting."

Elsie leaned forward. "What was it, Grandma?"

"A beautiful heart-shaped necklace, with two love birds enclosed at the center. When he saw it, your Grandpa knew it was the special present he'd been searching for." Hazel glanced over at Royce and smiled.

He winked at her. "Yes, I did. And the Vietnamese vendor lady told me about the legend of the birds, in broken English. She said they represent two soul mates, who are bound for all eternity. Nothing on earth can separate them, for each will protect the other and their offspring."

Elsie felt a bit confused. "What's an offspring?"

"It means the children of two parents and their family members yet to be born," he explained.

"That's so sweet, that the love birds watch out for the ones they love."

Hazel cleared her throat. "Anyway, when your Grandpa presented me with the necklace, I fell head over heels. It's been a prized possession of mine ever since. And no one was going to take it away from me."

"Do you mean the robber, Grandma? Will you tell me what happened?" Elsie asked.

She'd heard the story many times. But each time was like hearing it for the very first time. She suspected that the retelling was like new for her grandmother, too.

"Well, your Grandpa got sent back to Vietnam for his second tour of duty. Your mother and I were all alone in this house. Nina was ten at the time, your age. We missed Royce terribly. He was gone for over a year, but we got along okay. Until one dark and stormy night..."

Elsie moved closer. "Yes, tell me more."

Hazel lowered her voice an octave. "Nina and I had just finished our supper. We were preparing for bed, when suddenly she came running into the bedroom. Her eyes were as big as saucers. She said she'd heard a noise coming from the guest room. There had been a rash of cat burglaries in the area, so I knew of the potential danger."

"What did you do?"

"I grabbed a baseball bat I kept in the bedroom for protection. Very quietly, Nina and I crept to the guest room door. We both heard the sounds of someone moving about in there. I whispered to my daughter that we should run next door to call the police. At that moment, the door flew open and a man dressed in black rushed out of the room. He came at me, but I managed to hit him with the bat. He fell to the floor groaning. Nina and I made a run towards the front door. But before we could get outside, the burglar pounced on me."

"Were you scared, Grandma?"

"Yes, I'd never been so frightened in my whole life. I was afraid he'd do something horrible to me and my child. I fought him like a wildcat. He kept ordering me to give him my necklace. But I refused and he kept trying to rip it from my neck. In that moment, I needed my husband to come walking through that door to come to my defense."

Royce coughed. "It just so happens that I'd received another leave from the Army. Only I didn't tell your Grandma, because I wanted to surprise her. Can you imagine the shocked expression on her face and the burglar's when I waltzed in the door and announced that I was home?"

"Oh, my gosh, Grandpa! What happened then?"

"Me and that burglar started scuffling, throwing in some punches and knocking over a few knickknacks. Bottom line is, I got the upper hand and pinned him to the floor, until the police arrived. I had a busted lip for my trouble, but he ended up with a black eye and one missing tooth."

He chuckled as if reminiscing over the incident gave him immense pleasure. Smoke billowed from the cigar as Royce took a couple of lingering puffs.

"What about the necklace?" Elsie wondered.

"Oh, it survived the ordeal and remains fully intact," Hazel assured her.

"You know, I just realized something. You and Grandpa protected each other and mom; just like that lady said the two love birds do."

"That's right, so the legend must be true."       

"May I please see the necklace, Grandma?"

"Of course, sweetheart."

"Cool!" Elsie beamed with excitement. Her favorite moment had finally arrived. Every time she requested the necklace story, she always asked to hold it.

Hazel reached inside her shirt and lifted the beloved piece of jewelry from its hiding place. Then she bent forward to hand it to her granddaughter.

Elsie gently clutched the necklace, regarding it thoughtfully. The jewels sparkled as they caught sunlight streaming in through the windows. She admired the beauty it possessed and felt captivated by the history behind the treasured family heirloom.

"I sure wish I had something this pretty," she remarked.

"You will, child, because on your eighteenth birthday, the necklace will be yours. I'm planning to give it to you as a special coming-of-age gift."

"Wow! Thanks. I'll cherish it forever. But are you sure Grandpa won't mind?"

Elsie peered at her grandfather uncertainly. He grunted. "I don't mind a bit. Someday, you'll share it with your young man...the two love birds."

***

Fifteen Years Later:

Elsie hurried across the college campus, as tears streamed down her cheeks. She felt tired, confused and frustrated all at the same time. Her assignments were difficult and the succession of school papers to write seemed never-ending.

Right now, she just wanted to get to her dorm room and take a hot bath. Maybe then she could relax, if but for a moment. Too many obligations were tugging at her from every direction. Juggling her work schedule and classes was hectic. Even her boyfriend, Harry, had become a complication.

He wanted to get married and start a family. But Elsie didn't feel ready to take such a big step in her life. Earlier, they'd had a disagreement about it. So, she'd stormed off, leaving him calling after her. To elude him, she'd taken a route less traveled by students.

As Elsie entered the park, an awareness of darkness and desertion dawned on her. No one else appeared to be around. As her heated emotions began to cool, she questioned the wisdom of walking by herself. She reached up to grasp her grandmother's gift to her. It offered some comfort, but little in the way of safety.

In the past five years, she'd lost both grandparents, six months apart from one another. Still somehow Elsie felt their presence in the oddest of moments...like now.

Remembering the harrowing experience of her mother and Grandma, she stepped up her pace. Once she made it out of the park, she'd be two blocks from her dorm. She just had to make it to the exit and she'd be fine. Only a few more feet to go...

Suddenly, a figure loomed out at her from the bushes. Elsie screamed and began to run. Before she made it to the exit, she was grabbed from behind and flung against the park gate.

A man wearing a mask shouted, "Give me your money and that necklace you're wearing!"

"No, please! It's a family heirloom," she pleaded.

"I said give it to me!" he ordered.

Without hesitation, Elsie went on the defensive. She struck out at the man with her purse, hitting him as hard as she could. Her actions caught him off guard, causing him to stagger backwards. However, he quickly recovered, lunging for her.

All of a sudden, there was a flapping of wings nearby. Two birds flew over to the would-be robber and started pecking at his hair. He held up his hands to defend himself, while yelling at them. The birds continued their assault, as Elsie watched in surprise, wishing Harry was there.

Realizing she now had a chance to escape, Elsie was about to run. But in the distance came the sound of running feet. Harry emerged on the other side of the park and yelled her name. He came to her aid and held her close while the robber struggled against the onslaught of the birds.

Harry whipped out his cell phone and summoned the police. They arrived within minutes and quickly subdued the masked man, carting him off to jail.

As they left the park, Harry grasped Elsie's elbow. "Are you okay, sweetie?"

The two birds circled the sky overhead, before flying off into the distance. Elsie stared after them briefly. "Yes, two love birds...rescued me. Grandma and Grandpa," she whispered, clutching the necklace.

Harry looked at her quizzically. "I'm afraid I don't follow what you're saying. But you want to know something? The squawking of those birds is what led me to you tonight."

"You came to help me, just like Grandpa did for Grandma all those years ago."

"What are you talking about?"

Elsie smiled. "Someday, I'll tell you everything...after we're married."

"Does this mean you accept my proposal?"

"Yes, because now, I know you are my soul mate, for life."

Harry grinned as he pulled her close and covered her mouth with his. Elsie's mind flashed forward into the future. Someday, she'd have grandchildren who'd request stories. Boy, the tales she'd be able to share.

And the necklace...well, no one was going to take it away from her.

***

Text: Melissa Monroe
Images: MSN/Bing
Editing: Melissa Monroe
Publication Date: 12-10-2014

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
Dedicated to my great-grandparents, who shared stories of old with me, when I was a child.