The Daydream of a Caterpillar

Trees dangled their branches over the restaurant patio, shattering the light into fragments with their shadows. I was carelessly absorbing all the scattered images of nature because there's nothing better to do when waiting for my food.

Mom was engrossed in texting on her phone and only moved to adjust loose sleeves back onto her thin frame.

Suddenly I noticed a delicate little caterpillar marching across the wooden table. His fuzz was dark with small yellow stripes wrapped around his tiny body. I stared at it in fascination only to be caught by mom taking a casual glance from her cell phone.

"Ewww...kill it," she said with her tongue hanging out in disgust, and then resumed texting.

I arched my finger next to the caterpillar creating a gateway from the table to my body. At first he repelled my furious attempts to aid his daring escape but eventually he gave in and crawled on my hand. Then with a gentle motion I set him back on to the ground as he inched away from peril.

A slight smile spread across my face. Thanks to me he may one day emerge out of that restless cocoon and spread his vibrant wings in preparation to flutter away. Where to? Who knows, but the majestic image of a butterfly soaring under the pale moonlight and glittering stars left a cheerful impression.

Then I imagined a cluster of butterflies flying all around me; their colors dancing in front of my eyes. I longed to follow the blur of color into the sky and break free of society. No more insecurity about my appearance. No more pressure. Not a single drop of disapproval towards my sexuality. Only then could I be free from the earth and join currents of air beyond the clouds and for once feel pure bliss.

For once, I would be truly happy.

Reality stuck out in my overdramatic fantasies and slammed me in the head. Suddenly I was back at that old restaurant patio with not a single change in the environment. Those middle-aged ladies were still gossiping at the corner table and mom continued dialing on her phone. From the corner of her eye she noticed the caterpillar was alive and asked ", why didn't you kill it?"