Orchid

It is just another peaceful day during the beginning of Spring for the town of Huckleberry. Marci Flynn, a thirteen year old ray of sunlight, is walking down the street with her pet Baxter, a french bulldog. He is panting against the new found sun, but no one could blame him.

 A whistling grandpa aged man walks by them, offering a tip of his hat. It was a friendly town, everyone always saying hi, everyone just about knowing everyone else. 

“How do you do?” he asked. 

“Just fine, and you?” Marci replied. 

“Dandy, thanks for asking,”. They went on their way, minding their own business until Baxter started to bark. It was different, most of the time when he did it was for food, or perhaps his toy. But this time it was frantic. Scared, one could say.

“Baxter! Please, quiet down, please!!” She begged. Marci was starting to get looks from the others whos quiet stroll or peaceful shopping trip was interrupted. Baxter kept barking. Panting. Pacing. 

That is, until Marci saw why. There was a small orchid corsage, on the ground, leaning against the wall of the antique mall. Collecting dust. 

But why would this drive the dog crazy? Flowers were in bloom all around, so it couldn’t be that. Taking a closer look, there was a ring holding it together. An old fashioned one, one with a big jewel that would be stacked with others. 

A piece of a set. 

But… where are the others? There can’t just be one, Marci thought. And she was right. There couldn’t just be one, it's like an ice cream shop with only one flavor. Or a shopping mall with one store! It was missing something. 

So Marci picked it up. 

And, with a single, thunderous clap which shook the town, it began to rain. Not the soft rain that you go out in your rainboots and splash about in. The type that pounds against roofs, that shakes tree limbs until they hit their breaking points. The kind that would change a life forever, for better or worse.