Rollerblading on the Rings of Saturn by Petra Michelle (guided reading books .TXT) 📕

“Worrying not. Good is Zine.”
She waved good night; Zing and its friends disappearing into the darkness.
***
Rollerblading home from school, Nicole noticed the different movements her fellow bladers performed. She wished to learn these “tricks” of rollerblading, and thought she'd ask Zing to teach her that night.
“Zine teaching you, Nicole.”
“But he doesn't like me.”
Zing skated to Zine. Zine peered at Nicole, then returned to Zing, nodding. They skated back to her.
“You wish to learn more and better rollerblading?” Zine asked, nonchalantly.
“Yes, very much, Zine.”
“Watch.”
Mesmerized, Nicole watched as he flipped, grinded, and verted.
“Now you.”
“Me? I can't do that!”
“Now try.”
Fall after fall, she stopped. “You're not showing me how.”
“The Moonstone will help.”
“Moonstone?”
He skated away, Nicole catching up, until they reached a huge mound of soft, milky white stone with a rainbow sheen imbedded in the crust of Saturn. He gently touched it, then sat in front of it. Nicole joined him.
“When a Saturnite wants help it comes to the Moonstone for guidance. The Saturnites believe it brings peace and wisdom. Some say it speaks to them; that it is the heart of the universe.”
“Do you come here often?”
Staring at his rollerblades, “When my parents died, I was adopted by a Saturnite who traveled to Earth and brought me here.”
“I'm so sorry, Zine.”
He shrugged. “I was eight and could not understand why my parents left me. The Saturnites are good and kind, but I miss Earth.” Zine looked up at Nicole and smiled faintly. “I never told this to anyone.”
“I'll never tell, Zine.”
“I come to the Moonstone to think. Once it spoke to me. It told me that my parents were within the stone, and if I looked hard enough, I could see them. One day I did. Now I come every day to visit them. I am happier now, I guess.”
Nicole placed her hand on Zine's shoulder but he stared at his rollerblades.
“Ready now?” he asked.
“Ready.”
They practiced together, and with every minute, Zine enjoyed being with someone who was more like him.
***
Within a week of rollerblading together, Nicole and Zine became the best of friends and shared every thought and emotion.
“Zine? Do you think the Moonstone could help me?”
“I do not know. What is wrong?”
“Nothing. I just wondered. Would you take me there?”
Zine nodded, took her hand, and led her to it. “I will come back.”
Nicole smiled and watched him as he skated away. She sat down in front of the Moonstone and began sobbing.
“Why are you crying, honey?” Nicole jumped to her feet and stared at the stone. “Coley, dear, it's mommy.” She made out an apparition within the stone and retreated.
Nicole reflected upon Zine's words. Some say it speaks to them.

She slowly raised her hand and gently touched the stone. Her mother smiled.
“Mom,” Nicole whispered.
“Don't cry.”
Nicole then sat and rested upon her mother's shoulder within the stone. She swore her mother's hand stroked her hair. “You're afraid now, but always listen to your heart. It will never disappoint you.”
Looking up at her mother's sweet face; the face she adored and missed, Nicole stopped crying and listened.
“Remember, I am always with you.”
Touching her mother's cheek, she whispered, “Good bye, mom,” and watched her fading image. She remained at the Moonstone for some time.
***
When Nicole told her father the story of rollerblading with the Saturnites, about Zine and the Moonstone, and seeing her mother, he remained silent.
“You believe me, don't you, dad?”
“Rollerblading on Saturn, and mommy in a moonstone? I want to believe you, pumpkin.”
Nearly dejected, she brightened up. “I know! I'll introduce you to Zine!”
To placate her, her father agreed. That night, Zine came to her window to rollerblade.
“Would you like to meet my father?”
Zine didn't say a word. He stared at his rollerblades. “I did not expect this.”
“Neither did my dad.”
They laughed. He entered her room for the first time; for that matter, a human's home for the first time since he could remember. He took off his rollerblades and followed Nicole downstairs into the living room where her father was waiting. He rose as they entered, looking somewhat shocked.
“This is Zine, dad.”
Mr. Gilbert extended his hand, “It's very nice to meet you, Zine.”
Respectfully, he returned the handshake. The three talked into early the next day. Exhausted, Zine slept in the guest bedroom.
“So, Zine is human.”
“Yes, dad. I told you all about it.”
“I know.” He stopped to reflect. “How would you like a brother?”
“Really, dad?” She couldn't contain her excitement, and woke Zine with the proposition.
He beamed at the prospect. “Your father is nice. You are very nice. And I can go back to the Moonstone to visit my parents?”
“Of course!”
“I would feel honored to be your brother."


~~~~


THE END

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Publication Date: 11-04-2009

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