“Why do you still use those toilet-paper roll binoculars to watch Marlie?”
Liz continued to focus on Marlie playing in the tree fort. “They help me remain objective. Keep my distance.”
“And why do you need to do that?”
Now she let the paper binoculars hang by their yarn strap around her neck as she answered her husband. “Because that unplanned offspring of ours couldn’t be more perfect by design. I don’t ever want to get in her way.”
“She’s going places alright. Mars. She’s in her spaceship.”
Marlie beckoned them. “Come to the launch! It’s time for take-off!”
*** *** ***
“Space travel! That explains the snow suit and hockey helmet.”
The crowd quieted as the astronaut communicated with Mission Control. The countdown began. The tree fort shuddered and roared. At liftoff Liz looked for reassurance in her husband’s embrace. When she turned back to see the capsule hurtling beyond the atmosphere her binoculars were crushed. She shielded her eyes with her hand and watched her daughter soaring over them, searching new adventures in far-flung worlds of her own imagination.
“Don’t worry,” her husband said. “Lunch is waiting. She’ll come back to refuel. Come on, I’ll make you new binoculars.”
*** *** ***
The Carrot Ranch December 26, 2019, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that includes the phrase by design. It can be used in any manner — a label, a mantra, a story. Go where the prompt leads!
So much more adventure for them than when I used to play in my tree-house, -ship, -desert island. But never a space ship. Wow, I wish I’d have had a tree-space-ship!
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This girl’s tree house has been a ship and a stage among other things. You too can have a space ship, or anything you want, because you still have your imagination. Thanks for taking this trip!
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When parents (or adults in a kid’s life) still have imagination, the stars open wide! This mom is feeling the tug and pull of wanting her daughter to stick around and yet knowing she was designed to launch. Great duo of flashes.
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Thanks Charli Mills. All kids are designed to launch; Marlie is fortunate to have encouraging parents and circumstances.
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