While I was walking toward the boarding gate to my flight, I realized that I hadn’t bought any little gifts for myself on this trip.  I had abandoned all my routine on this trip.  I had even forgotten to visit my favorite store to pick up something to add to my collections.

A store with bright colorful displays had attracted my attention, I read the introduction by the store front and decided to walk in and browse for a while, it would be better than sitting on the waiting bench.

The well trained shop lady had jumped all over me right away.  I politely explained that I’m browsing, but she still tried her best following me.  If I showed the slightest interest in one object, she would launch into the introduction in the piece and try steering me toward a bigger piece of the same series of the product.  I couldn’t help, but started showing some irritation and decided to walk out of the store.  I still can’t comprehend the selling technique in Taiwan.  They don’t know when to stop pressuring a potential customer at all, after all these years of becoming one of the economic power countries, or maybe it’s just the culture?

As I turned toward the exit path, a very small object which was tacked in the back corner in one of the lower level display window boxes, had caught my eye - A tiny little green fog, not even 3 inches tall.

I asked to see it, and the sale lady immediately launched into show me all of the little fog’s “cousins”!  Ha… why do people always think they can change your mind and tell you what you like or what you don’t like!   All the bad memories of Taiwan kept coming back to me.  All those years of telling me what I should do, what was good for me, how I should  behave…. hadn’t  done a bit to change me, instead  pushed me far far away from this island that I loved.  Why, why and why? 

 I let her finishing her well rehearsed pitch and calmly said “I am buying the little fog only.” And handed over my credit card and boarding pass!

I didn’t know why this little green fog is so dear to me!  His facial express and his eyes with a smile and not quite a smile!  His countenance and posture is as if he has no cares in the world, but he looks as if he is in deep thought. This has deeply affected me in some way.   I wanted to find him a home, a place to stay.  I went as far as asking one of my gifts (a leave plate) to J back.  He was furious with my request.  He said “You gave me as a token of friendship, you made this for me.  You had other things you made that you can use for the little fog.”

 I told him “I just want to borrow it because this is the perfect fix for my little fog.  I will create a home for him till I know what to make.”  I couldn’t believe I would do something to injury my friendship just for a little fog then.  But, the little leaves plate is just the right size for the fog!  I kept convincing myself that is the only reason, till tonight.

Till tonight,   the little green fog has such a place in my heart, because he is always there.  The fog had unlocked a deep closed door in my heart!  I finally dreamed of that smiling face from so long ago!  He finally came into my dream… Oh! “Did you forgive me now?  That’s why you finally came!” 

A dream between two worlds, a question would never be answered!   Only an arched up brow with an amusing smile at the corner of his slightly dipping eyes and little curved lips! A smile as I first saw him was echoing my questions in this dark night!

How I wish to see that smiling face again!  How I wish to tell you “I did not run away without you, I assumed you would follow!”  An unattainable wish that is! Regretting  things left unsaid!  Regretting no way to say it!  Regretting we are forever in two different worlds!   A sleepless night.....

Year 2013