folk songs | {emilia & kieran blitz}

Visiting the towns felt like a maze to me. Maybe it’s because I’m 4’9” according to the wax markings on the kitchen wall, but momma always worried about losing me in the crowd. Now that the imposter has taken her place, I wander them for her instead. I eye for her golden locks that sway as wheat in the breeze, but it’s hard when all the stems are taller than you!

On this day, daddy woke us up early to get ahead of the crowds. He tells me now that I’m older, I can’t keep playing with our cream dairy cows. I have to learn about grown-up stuff like the games and tesserae. Yet once my floppy worn leather boots set foot in the town square, they disappeared just like momma did. The difference is, I know where they are. The imposter probably did what she does best. She tugs daddy’s bronzed arms towards any stall, then coos over trinkets at nearby market stalls. It’s funny how grown-ups leave the kids to do their dirty work.

Daddy always had momma sit with me for the hard talks, but now that she’s lost I guess it’s high time for me to grab the horse’s reigns. I would be the one who’d navigate through these stalks. It isn’t too scary since I’ve done it before, remember momma? When we’d play hide and seek in the neighbors' fields? I know you’re out there. Your blonde waves to me like the handkerchiefs you’d wear around your neck. I just have to follow your lead, I won’t let you win this game of hide and seek. I’m not that silly.

“Excuse me!” I stammered, grabbing the edges of my poppy morning dress while weaving between tangled limbs. Adults are confusing, always fussing about something. You’d think it would be something interesting, like maybe there was a nice sale of cheese. Dashing through to the center, a distinct figure stood tall within the middle. Like locusts, the adults clamored around this boyish man, so tall that the back of my neck cramped just to meet his gaze. My tawny palm curved against my eyebrows to battle against the sunlight at his words.

His question rang funny, his voice softer than I anticipated. “Emilia Giulia is what my daddy says when upset. Just Emilia is fine.” Curling a chocolate lock behind my ear, I stepped forward and motioned the strange man closer. Maybe he wasn’t my target, but someone so important may help me find you. He is tall after all; it shouldn’t be too hard. Voice dropping low, balance shifting onto tiptoes, my hand cupping around our secret truce guarding it for just me and you. “Mister, are they bothering you? Let’s walk together. I’ll protect you if you protect me. Momma always says crowds can be scary when alone.”