Rekindled Youth

She was standing there mesmerized by the reflection in the water and what she had just witnessed. So it was true! Only a couple of minutes ago she had watched an old man approach the fountain. His skin was wrinkly, his hands bony and he struggled with every step he took. But his appearance changed massively in the few brief moments he had soaked in the crystal blue-green waters.

She had watched in silence and fear as he emerged, beads of water running down his tight, bare skin and dropping seductively from his plump muscles. His straight back and firm erection singing to her like a whisper in the air. In awe she watched as the healthy, youthful man dressed and left the area with a spring in his step and a whistle on his lips. She had heard of the fable about the Fountain of Youth hidden in the back of this valley. She never believed it. But now… things were different. Now her world was exponentially larger, the possibilities were endless.

The fear now completely subsided, she thought in wonderment, “Should I?” The water was so beautiful and inviting, and this body so old and unforgiving. Being forever young, was that really what she wanted? Unsure of what to do she looked at the water again, scanning the reflection of her face that once looked so much younger too.  She hadn’t come looking for the fountain. Or had she? Now she felt so uncertain about everything. Every decision she had made in her life, she pondered, would she have made different choices?  It had been a good life. A life filled with happiness and love and family.

She quietly reflected on her life, a gentle smile on her face as she slowly and unconsciously began unbuttoning the front of her dress and then her bra and finally her panties dropping to her ankles. She slowly stepped first one foot and then the other, from her delicates into the soft, warm waters that had beckoned her.

As she walked ever deeper into the waters she noted to herself how peaceful and calm the moment was. There was no concern that she might stumble or fall. There was no fear that she was making a mistake. In fact, she thought to herself, “This must be what Heaven feels like.” But she knew that she was not in Heaven and she knew that this was not a dream.  When the water tickled her armpits she stopped.

Standing there she could feel the creek of her bones being washed away as the movie of her life played backwards in her mind’s eye. She knew that story already, it did not intrigue her or hold her interest. She lifted her hand from the water, first the right and then the left, looking at them, turning them and watching them as the large veins of her hands miraculously seemed to vanish, the muscles plumping and skin tightening. It was wonderful!

And then she felt her hair begin to grow from her scalp, lengthening to just below the shoulders. Glancing to watch as her hair darkened into a rich, vibrant golden brown, beautifully curling just as it had been long, long ago, she caught sight of her reflection in the water and stared.  No sagging jowls. No bags under the eyes. Her cheeks flush with youth. She smiled and her vibrant teeth smiled back at her from the water’s surface. She looked 18 again!

Her heart skipped a beat. She felt a dozen butterflies twirling through her stomach as a young girl falling in love for the first time might feel.  She giggled and laughed as she made her way back towards the shore.  Before exiting the water she stopped and glanced around, scanning the trees and bushes to see if someone had watched her transformation as she had watched the man before her.  Feeling confident that she was alone she cupped her breasts in her hands, not for privacy but as an embrace, welcoming them back from a far off land.

“Ah, my friends, I’ve missed you.” she whispered. And then she let them go, emerged from the waters and stooped to pick up the panties, bra, and dress she had absentmindedly discarded. Neither the panties nor the bra would fit her now but at least she could make due with the dress.  Had the dress been her size it would have clung to her wet body but as it was it felt and looked more like an oversized robe.  She threw her arms out and her head back and twirled and laughed, the blue sky and fluffy clouds her dance partner.

“I love to dance!” She yelled to the skies above.

“Well then, may I join you?”

Her twirling stopped abruptly as alarm entered her eyes.

“I wouldn’t be a gentleman if I had watched.” Pointing, he said, “I waited over there behind that boulder, until I was certain you were presentable.”

“Thank you.” She said. “I’m Alice, Alice O’–”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Alice. My name is Cian Kelly, but it is time for both of us to choose a new name for our new lives. Let’s enjoy this moment together.  I do not know where our paths will take us but I’d like to remember that you were here this time. Please tell me, what shall my name be?”

“Connor!” she giggled. “I’ve always wanted to dance with a boy named Connor.”

“Connor it is then! And what shall I call you?”

“I’ve always liked the name Caitlin.”

“Caitlin O’Sullivan, may I have this dance?”

“Why yes, Connor, I would love to dance with you!”

He begins whistling a merry waltz as he takes her in his arms. She laughs as he twirls and dips her, unaware of the gravity of her actions, the losses she will reap and the sacrifices she will be forced to make once the music ends.

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The above short story was inspired by Author S B Mazing’s blog event Finish It!, which began as a Blogging201 assignment meant to further expand our blogging experiences as well as our strength of community. Do one, or do them all, it’s up to you; Join her event to experiment with a story prompt and give your fingers a shot at flash fiction… every Wednesday she’ll provide a new prompt! This story came from Finish It! prompt #30. 

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