The Gift

It was on the day of my 16th birthday when I discovered my gift.

Everyone in my family has an unique gift of their own. On my mother’s side, they have the ability to control one small part of the four elements, earth, fire, water, and air. On my father’s side, they get to control animal behavior, make animals do their bidding while cooperating with the Elements, that’s what my mother’s side of the family call themselves.

I am most unique of all because I am the product of both. So no one really know what my gift will be. It’s either from my father’s side or my mother’s. I cannot have both.

So on my 16th birthday, after I opened my presents, everyone sang happy birthday, and we had cake, as the adults began chatting away on various topics and my cousins competing who will occupy the sofa for the video games, I went to the farthest corner of the apartment and just sat on the window seat.

I looked out at the city and listened to the traffic noise from down below. Then a bee flew toward the window. I blinked, surprised. It’s New York City, the only place anyone’s likely to see a bee would be in Central Park but then again, if only that person was lucky.

As it approached, I tapped my finger on glass. The end of my fingertips produced trails of yellow sparks. I could suddenly feel my heart beating out of my chest. Could I have discovered my gift? 

“Hello, Mr. Bee,” I whispered. The bee stared at me curiously as if it wasn’t used to be called that. What should I tell the bee to do? I looked back, the adults were chatting obliviously away. What could I do but turn back to the bee. “Alright, Mr. Bee,” I whispered, “I think you’re doing a terrific job. Just keep doing what you’re doing, okay?” I couldn’t believe my eyes when I noticed the bee nodded and flew away.

This story was originally published on September 19, 2015.

Written for MindLoveMisery’s Menagerie Photo Prompt Challenge, which I believe it’s still running. A photo is given and we are to write a story.