Though it wasn’t possible to bring someone back from the dead, nor could items used to the extent of their life spans be fixed, in this way, it was possible for two souls to meet again. This was what my teacher called the flow of life.
“Hey, Fine. Your watch may be broken, but the memories it has of your grandpa will never disappear.”
I looked at Fine.
“The Spirits we just sent off were full of memories of both you and your grandpa. So I’m sure you’ll meet them again sometime. The Spirits cherish you two just as much as you cherished each other.”
Fine’s lips quivered.
“Thanks…!”
A tear ran down her cheek, and I felt the light jingle of a single shard within the bottle at my waist.
“I didn’t think I would cry like that.”
Fine said this as we walked back to town. I was petting Carbuncle, who sat on my shoulder.
“Something about that light made me remember so many things at once.”
“About your grandpa?”
“Yeah, about how we used to play and what we used to eat together. Or how he used to pat me on the head to make me feel better when I got hurt. All these memories came surging up at once.”
“You were always a grandpa’s girl.”
“The light that came out of his old watch… It sure was a gentle light, wasn’t it?”
“I think so, too.”
It was more than likely that the Spirits harbored by the watch carried the memories of two lifetimes.
“I think I’m gonna go get a new watch.”
On our way back, we passed old man Geppetto’s watch shop, where Fine stopped in her tracks and stared through the window.
“Oh? Something catch your eye already? I say go for it.”
“Yeah. Tell me which Spirits match best with me.”
“You got it! I’ll choose some that’ll bring you happiness.”
I knew Fine would be okay. She had me as her friend, after all.
“I’m baaack!”
I’d helped Fine pick out a new watch before heading home, and I was greeted with a “Welcome home” by my teacher.
“Did everything go well with Fine’s watch?”
“I think we figured it out. So, uh, what are you doing?”
“Oh, I’m just looking for something.”
“Really? Why not rev up the ole All-Seeing Eye?”
“You mustn’t rely on magic to overcome all of life’s trifles, Meg. It is important to solve some problems using your own hands.”
“You’re so stubborn.”
As I said this, a question popped into my mind.
“Hey, Teacher. Why did you send me and Fine to the clockmaker’s?”
“Why, you ask?”
“Well, I’m sure you knew old man Geppetto couldn’t fix the watch, so I thought it was strange that you sent us there in the first place.”
A kind smile appeared on my teacher’s face.
“As I just said, you mustn’t always rely on magic. I hadn’t looked into yours or Fine’s future at that moment. I knew Fine still had hope for her watch, and I simply thought Geppetto perhaps could discern the watch’s true value and provide the desired conclusion. I also—”
“Also what…?”
“Thought it may be a good opportunity to teach a foolish witch the true value of material things.”
“A foolish witch? You shouldn’t be so harsh on yourself…”
“I’m talking about you, you dolt!!”
The true value of material things. It wasn’t the price something could be bought or sold for but the memories and affection a person had for that item.
I heard a rattle as I pondered over this. It was the shards of tears jingling around in the bottle I had fastened to my belt. I took it off my belt and waved it in front of my eyes.
There was a new tear, bringing my collection to a grand total of three.
“The true value of things…”
The light of the setting sun shone down on the bottle as I held it, causing the three tear shards to glimmer brilliantly. All three tears belonged to people who were important to me. This wasn’t something that could be bought with money; it was something that was precious to me and me only.
“I bet this will become my most treasured possession.”
I murmured this to myself, and Carbuncle looked up at me with a “Squeak” and White-Owl, a “Hoot.” They both looked happy, and something about the woodland pair felt extra precious to me that day.
“I must ask, Meg. Have you seen my cup? You know the one; I always use it.”
“Uh, that’s what I’m saying… You should whip out the ole All-Seeing Eye and…”
I began to trail off mid-sentence. Should she use her Eye, she would find out in an instant her cup’s unfortunate fate, and that it was my fault.
The cup had smashed into a million pieces when I threw it on the ground to prevent Fine from drinking the tea laced with tear-inducing magical herbs I almost tested on her.
“It’s quite strange, really. I could’ve sworn I left it here. You didn’t place it anywhere, did you?”
“Welp, look at the time! I’d better feed the familiars!”
As soon as I changed the subject, a hungry horde of tiny woodland creatures came out from the nooks and crannies of the manor and gathered at my feet as I left the room, with White-Owl closing the door behind me.
Ever since I learned I was destined to die, little by little, every day was starting to feel different. Though I didn’t spend my days any differently than I usually did, the tears I gathered gave my life a new meaning, taught me new values, and earned me the tears of my dear friends.
A day like this was just a regular day for me now that I knew I was going to die.
And it was an important day I knew I could never forget.