A Beloved Book

I.

Tommy sits curled up in his old brown bed. On his lap is a green and white quilted blanket. He turns his head to the right and stares outside the window. His green eyes sparkle as he watches the snowflakes dance in the morning air. Smiling, he turns back to the book on his lap.


II.

Tommy opens up the book and flips through the pages. It's a red hardcover edition of Bullfinch's Mythology. The spine is cracked, and the pages are yellowed like rotten custard. Tommy's slim white fingers turn each page, as his eyes devour the contents. Suddenly, he stops. A great gasp flees from his throat.


III.

Before his eyes, he sees a black and white picture of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. King Arthur stands in the center, with his armored knights around him. Before the king, kneels a golden-haired youth. His head is bowed, and his hands are clasped in prayer as King Arthur taps him on the shoulder with Excalibur. "Lancelot." the boy says softly, his eyes shining like stars.