A Friend Forever

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As Elisha sat in the subway car watching people board, one older man caught her attention as he gingerly stepped onto the train carrying a satchel in one hand and a large volume tucked under his other arm. He found a seat directly across the aisle from Elisha and her mother. He immediately opened the book and began paging through it quickly, hunting for something he knew was there but couldnt find. In a moment, he began reading attentively, his lips moving slightly as he read. Just then, he glanced up, and noticing Elisha watching he smiled at her.

Its a butterfly, he said in explanation. I love butterflies and I saw one this morning that Ive never seen around here before; I had to find out what it was. Come look.

Elisha crossed the aisle and looked into the book the man was holding. This butterfly is a Hessels hairstreak, he said, pointing to a picture of a vivid green and brown butterfly. Its extremely rare in New York. I dont know how it came to be in the city, but I saw it this morning in Central Park and Im going back to see if I can locate it again, now that I know what it is.

Were going there ourselves, Elisha said. We go there every Wednesday afternoon in the summer.

Perhaps youd like to accompany me, the man said and smiled across the aisle at Elishas mother. Im George Paxton, by the way, and I go there almost every day to look for butterflies and to enjoy being outdoors.

Can we, Mom? Elisha asked eagerly.

All the while, Elishas mom was watching the gentleman closely, assessing him, trying to determine his motives. She decided he was okay, a kindly man, probably lonely, who was absorbed in his hobby and excited for the opportunity to share it with them. She smiled and nodded, and when the train reached their stop, the three walked to the park together, Mr. Paxton guiding them to just the spot where hed seen the butterfly earlier.

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They didnt find the Hessels hairstreak, but they did see many other butterflies, which Mr. Paxton identified for Elisha. In the weeks ahead, they met often to search for butterflies, sometimes catching them in a silky net so they could examine them closely, Mr. Paxton holding them delicately so as not to damage their fragile wings. Elisha soon became an avid butterfly collector herself, enthusiastically collecting sightings, listing the names of each species she saw in a small book.

One Wednesday, Elisha and her mom went to the park to meet Mr. Paxton, but he never showed up. They never saw him again, though they continued going to the park to look for him. Elisha was heartbroken at the loss of her new friend, and she never forgot him. Each time she saw a butterfly, she remembered the kindly guide and friend he had been.

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