"What happened when summer was over?" "Well, on the last day of summer I went to see him and he took me under the waterfall per usual and then I, as much as I didn't want to, told him that I wouldn't be able to see him every day. I could tell this caused him great sadness because no one ever came and spent time with him; I was the only person. So we spent the rest of the day talking, yet as soon as the sun set, he wrapped me up in his arms in a giant bear hug. Just when I though he was going to take me back, he took my hand in his and gave me necklace with a single purple, blue-ish pearl on it and folded my hand over it.
He told me that he hoped I would wear it everyday so that I would always remember the time that we were together and what I meant to him for being the only person who he could genuinely call a friend. I promised him I would while he helped me clasp the necklace and then he took my hand in his and took me back under the waterfall to this very spot. He held onto the railing while we said our last goodbye's, he took my face in his hands and kissed me on the cheek and then he was gone." "Wait, but grandma that can't be the end of the story. Just a summer thing, that's impossible."
"I never said I was finished, but you're right that is the end. I started school the next day and as I was walking through the halls, I saw that familiar black hair that I had grown to know so well over the past few months. So I followed him at lunch and found him eating alone in a secluded corner of the school. His back was turned to me, when I reached him I tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention. He turned around and immediately stood up and gave me a hug like we were long lost friends who hadn't seen each other in decades."
"But then what happened? I mean he wasn't shocked at all that you were there and that you knew his secret?" " I thought that too, but he wasn't because I had learned to love him for who he was with a tail, so without it, he was still the same person he just looked a little different and I didn't mind that. From that moment on he and I were inseparable, we spent all of our time together, we would even go sit behind the waterfall and work on homework together. As our time in high school went on we grew closer and closer until we reached the point where we both liked each other and it was blatantly obvious. We truly were high school sweethearts and we've been together ever since and that my beautiful grandson is the Legend of the Falls." I said as I finished my story.
"Been together ever since, so does that mean that grandpa had a tail?" He said with shock strewn across his face. "That's exactly what it means." "That's really cool grandma. Hey, can we go get something to eat?" "Sure, grab your coat and we'll go." "You got it." He said with a big smile on his face. As I slowly started to walk away from the falls I loved so much I saw my grandson catch a glimpse of a streak of blonde hair and a purple tail and I knew at that moment that these falls really do have magic in them.
"Grandma!" He yelled as he came running to catch up to me. "Did you see what I just saw in the water?" "I didn't see anything, sorry sweetie." I said with the slightest hint of a smirk beginning to form. "Oh okay." He said as he looked back towards the falls. As we walked into the sunset towards my car I could see a gleam of wonder and adventure cross his eyes as he peered back to see if the blonde with the tail was actually real or just an illusion. And at that moment I felt all the love and joy that I had experienced flow through me. As we looked back at the falls and their amazing color and beauty, I hoped that my grandson would be able to experience that wonder and joy in his life.
