Two Waters

There’s a magical stretch of road just miles from home.

Maximus knows this road like his favorite book. He can read every bump and bend, and his excitement grows as the best part gets closer and closer.

Even if his eyes were closed, Maximus knows every swerve Mommy’s car makes. But Maximus would not dare close his eyes. There are too many wonderful things to see along the way.

There are two boys walking down the road with fishing poles balanced on their shoulders. Maximus waves at the boys, and they wave back. Maximus loves people. He makes friends everywhere he goes.

Maximus watches a gaggle of geese rise from the ground. As they spread their wings and glide through the air, Maximus wonders if they’re going where he’s going.

The green tunnel of trees is ahead! The sky disappears and Maximus looks up to find leafy branches high above the road. It looks like all the trees are holding hands. This makes Maximus smile.

When the road straightens Maximus sits up tall and looks ahead. They are almost there! His eyes sparkle and squeals escape his body. He raises his arms like he is riding a roller coaster.

Mommy’s car bursts out of the shadowy forest, and they are showered with sunshine. Mommy rolls the car windows down and wind blows across their faces.

There it is! It’s Maximus’ most favorite place in the whole wide world. The place he calls Two Waters.

The road leads them over a dam that stands between a lake and a river. Two Waters. Maximus can see them both as Mommy drives the car. The lake is calm, and the river is wild.

Maximus looks left, he looks right, and over and over he hollers “Two Waters! Two Waters!”

There are goats on the grassy hill by the river. There are ducks waddling along the bank of the lake. The sky above Two Waters is blue with clouds like dandelions. Maximus makes a wish.

Shades of blue and green are everywhere. Boats, fishermen, kayaks and swimmers are like colorful sprinkles - splashes of reds, yellows, and oranges. They make Two Waters look bright and cheerful. Maximus claps his hands and laughs.

He soaks up every sound, every smell, and sight at Two Waters. That’s how Maximus makes a memory. A memory is like a picture in his mind. When he thinks of that picture, he can go back to Two Waters whenever he wants. Over and over he will go there, his most favorite place in the whole wide world. The winding road of wonder.

The road curves once more, and the calm lake and the wild river are behind them. Maximus waves goodbye to Two Waters, but he is not sad. He is so happy he got to go! He is so happy about all that he saw! He won’t forget a thing.

What a ride!

Maximus thinks Two Waters is magic.

Mommy knows Maximus is the magic.