Well nothing is really happening in my life, maybe something will happen soon.

Life's Gifts

Chapter 16: The Second Challenge

Katie sat by the window staring out at the sunrise a book in her lap. The colors that were changing in the sky amazed her; she hadn't slept all night for the sake of thinking about last night.

"Vincent" By: Don McLean

Starry, starry night.
Paint your palette blue and grey,
Look out on a summer's day,
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.
Shadows on the hills,
Sketch the trees and the daffodils,
Catch the breeze and the winter chills,
In colors on the snowy linen land.

Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they did not know how.
Perhaps they'll listen now.

Starry, starry night.
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze,
Swirling clouds in violet haze,
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of China blue.
Colors changing hue, morning field of amber grain,
Weathered faces lined in pain,
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand.

Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they did not know how.
Perhaps they'll listen now.

For they could not love you,
But still your love was true.
And when no hope was left in sight
On that starry, starry night,
You took your life, as lovers often do.
But I could have told you, Vincent,
This world was never meant for one
As beautiful as you.

Starry, starry night.
Portraits hung in empty halls,
Frameless head on nameless walls,
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget.
Like the strangers that you've met,
The ragged men in the ragged clothes,
The silver thorn of bloody rose,
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow.

Now I think I know what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they're not listening still.
Perhaps they never will.

The poem that reminded her so much of her life, the book was worn, pages tattered. It had been her mother's before it had been hers. She had found it in the house's library, hidden among various volume's of famous poems.

"Katie, did you even sleep?" Alicia said stumbling out of bed and walking over. "That poem really helps you think doesn't it? After all you have to set another task for the boys today. Though Oliver's answer last night was really sweet. Kent's was classic just like him. It's all about love or money and most go for the latter. A shame isn't it all those nice young men throwing themselves out on the road for money."

"Shut up! I am trying to sleep. I don't care about the dumb contest… actually I care very much, but not this early." Angelina stuck her head under her pillow and started snoring.

"Kent, Oliver you have exactly one hour to complete this challenge. You are each to buy me one gift that shows your feelings to me. Your money limit is 400 gallons anything more than that is not worth it in fact maybe I should lower it. But it is up to you what to buy. Meet me over there," she gestured to the fountain and took Cedric's arm. For he had accompanied her here, both the girl had dates so she had asked him for a favor and luckily he was free. "Cedric, why am I even doing this?"

"Because you love Oliver but Kent is in love with the idea of your money." He said leaning back against the bench.

"How can I tell if I love Oliver, as for Kent, he is a piece of junk not worth anything, anything at all. His family is high up sure, but so am I."

"You can just say I am in love with someone, Katie. You know it deep down within' we all do. One day you will just wake up and realize it." Cedric's voice washed over her.

"Thanks Cedric, I don't know what I would do without you."

"Angelina, Alicia if you would do the honor of giving the drops." Katie asked the two girls as she gave them the vial.

"Um… I really don't see why you can't just take our word that we are not lying." Kent said as he shied away from Alicia.

"You for one are an accomplished liar, so I can't do that. And since you posed that question you go first, Kent."

"I brought you stock in my father's company, twelve shares. To me you are a path into the world of resources that is like what stocks are to me." He hand them to Alicia who stood right next to him.

"Now you Oliver."

"I brought you 3 dozen red rose, because they are a sign of beauty. You are beauty personified that and so many more things, roses stand for a lot." He hand them to Angelina who stood next to them.

Katie whispered the magic words and again Oliver's bright blue appeared, Kent's blue was more radiant than last time but not as bright as Oliver's. "I will hold the next challenge on Saturday." Walking off with the two girls she whispered to them.