The Mushrooms in the Kew Garden
T he March walks among the mushrooms like a leader king among his troops. It’s mind-boggling how the mushrooms, in all sizes, bend over in his direction as if he were sunlight itself.
“Is this magic?” I say in awe, mouth agape, staring at the wonder.
“Shouldn’t he remember already?” Constance scoffs.
“Maybe it takes time,” Fabiola says.
“I think he is remembering,” the Red Queen says. “He only isn’t talking, not yet.”
The March raises both hands to his sides, eyes gleaming with excitement. We follow on.
“The most precious thing,” he mumbles.
Constance shoots Fabiola a look, “I guess we’re going to know this too,” she sticks out her tongue. “The secret you and Lewis keep from us all the time.”
“It’s not a secret,” Fabiola says. “We didn’t want to tell you because it’s hard to understand. It will confuse you and make you weaker.”
Constance rolls her eyes. I have my eyes on the March who finally stops advancing.
We stop behind him and wait for him to talk. He does even better. He turns to face us. I could easily envy him for the smile he has on his face. So happy, serene, and in wonder. A feeling I have missed long ago, I guess. Like nothing matters anymore, now that he feels so good.
“Amazing, right?” he says.
“Yeah,” Constance says. “Brilliantsauce, fantabulous, wonderstastic. Where are Keys?”
“Ah, that,” his face dims. He rubs his chin.
“What does that mean?” Fabiola asks.
“I guess I haven’t remembered yet,” he shakes his shoulders.
“Are you kidding me?” Constance says. “After all this song and dance?”
“Maybe it does take time,” I suggest.
“Wait,” he says, a finger on his lips.
“Wait for what?” I near him.
“This,” he points his finger up, in no direction.
“The ceiling?” Fabiola asks.
“No,” he insists. “This.”
Suddenly the earth shakes violently underneath us. Constance loses balance and falls. I hang on, but the earth is still vibrating like crazy. It’s as if it has a voice is humming a dark song to the world.