It was Christams Eve and my work friends had abandoned me at a bar when I'd gone to the bathroom and being too drunk to really know what was happeneing, I decided to sit at a back table and nap. I wans't sure how long I'd been there, when a man stood next to my table and loudly said, "Hi."
Without replying, I looked at him through one open eye.
"All alone?" He asked as he sat next tro me and began to prattle on. The Christmas decorations and music made him seem like a lovable character, but drink can make everything seem rosy, even creeps. I was past caring to notice that he was too handsy, and definitely not my type. He bought me a cocktail in a wide mouthed glass with fancy trimmings.
I said, "Thanks."
He chatted about this, that and everything else but none of what he said really registered. I was too drunk to care. He rasied his glass to mine, "Cheers!"
"Cheers!" My hand touched the glass's stem, I felt something wriggle beneath my fingers.
"Oh!" I took my hand away and peered hard. Something shimmered beneath the glass's bowl.
The man said, "What is it?"
"I think it's an insect."
He peered closer and said, "Insect? Where?"
"There!" The creature was as big as a thumb. I don't know how he could miss it.
"Nah!" He said as he downed his beer, "Drink up."
As I went to touch the glass again, the glimmering thing flew at my face. My arms frantically waved it away. I squealed, accidentally knocking the cocktail to the floor. The man thought I was crazy, but was undeterred by my behaviour and headed to the bar to buy another round.
The thing flew next to my ear, and in a voice as clear as a bell yelled, "Quick! Get out of here."
I could feel the gentle flutter of wings as the thing flittered around and landed on my head saying, "Go!"
Spurred on by the urgency in its' voice, I picked up my bag and dashed out of the bar, onto the street, melding into the crowd of Christmas revellers.
"Hurry! He's coming!" It said. We raced to the station, were stopped at traffic lights, our way was barred by slow moving foot traffic and people standing together in companionable, random clumps. Finally, we made it to the station and onto the train.
The carriage was empty except for my friend and I.
She left her shoulder perch and flew a metre in front of me. In the harsh, train carriage light, she was translucent. I recognised her as my childhood faery companion.
I giggled, "Tippi! Is that you? You haven't changed a bit."
"And I won't ever." She whirled about the carriage in upward and downward swirls, and came to land on my shoulder again.
Tippi said, "Be careful when you're by yourself. That man put something bad in your drink. Even though you're sad, keep your wits about you like me, and everything will be alright."
"Why did you come to me now?"
"Not now. I've always been with you."
"But, but..."
"Remember when you were little? I promised that I'd always be there and I've kept that promise."
My eyes welled with tears at the sadness and shame I felt having ignored Tippi since the time my father told me not to be 'stupid,' that fairies and magic were 'nonsense' and that I should 'grow up and be sensible.'
Tippi said, "Children can see everything until they're told they're not supposed to. Tonight, you were in the perfect state to feel my presence." Tippi kissed my forehead.
We nattered all the way home in the train, and as we walked past the shops from the station to my apartment block, people looked at me askance as though I was talking to myself. But with the advent of mobile phones, people talking to themselves is commonplace.
The years had flown, but we picked up where I had left off. We discussed boyfriends, and work companions and school friends and the things I got up to 'back then.' All the events in which I'd heeded her warnings and the ones in which I had not, were brought to light. For the first time in a while, I felt relief knowing there was someone who understood me without judgement or criticisism. Someone with whom I could share both good times and bad.
While I made myself ready for bed, it occurred to me that if I'm ever lucky enough to be a parent, I will be happy to introduce my children to the wonders and magic of the faery kingdom. I am and always will be grateful to Tippi for her gifts of laughter and most of all, her enduring friendship.
