The Last Penguin

written at lunch the other day when a friend said "penguin"

Joyce Macalloy received a penguin every year. It was a tradition that had started five years prior, when she was thirteen years old. Now, at the age of eighteen, she was still receiving these customary penguins. She had a stuffed penguin, a glass penguin, a ceramic penguin, and a crystal penguin. Now she was awaiting the fifth penguin for her ever-growing collection, and she was sure this would be the best penguin of all.

It all started in the eighth grade, when she sat next to Bryce Winters, the most awkward boy in their grade. He was a silly little thing and shorter than most. His mousy brown hair fell into his eyes, and his wire-rimmed glasses were constantly slipping down his nose. His shirts were always wrinkled, his pants always too large, and his laces always untied. He was as slim as a pole, and his head did not quite match up with his body. However, there was something about him that was oddly adorable, and Joyce had always thought so.

She used to doodle in class, penguins usually, and one day, after the wind from the open window blew her paper off of the desk, Bryce kindly picked it up for her. He examined the drawing for a brief moment before giving it back to its rightful owner, and in a squeaky little voice, he said "Penguins. I like penguins. Did you know they are the only animals who actually chose their mate as a life-long partner?"

All she could do was grin, but it was a smile that lasted throughout the day.

A week later, Joyce found something in her locker, and this something pleased her beyond belief. It was a little stuffed penguin, as cute and cuddly as could be, and it had a little note tied around its neck. Gently, she unraveled the ribbon and read the letter.

It did not say much, but what it did say caused her to squeal in delight, and she knew exactly who the note was from. In the worst handwriting ever imaginable, the note said "Will you be my penguin?"

After that moment, the two had been inseparable. Joyce saw Bryce for who he was on the inside as opposed to the out, and they clicked immediately. While other people mocked their relationship, mainly because Joyce had an angelic appearance-long golden curls, big blue eyes, and skin as white as snow- and she stood three inches taller than him. However, this did not last long. In the ninth grade, Bryce sprouted like a root. In the tenth, he ditched the glasses, and in the eleventh, he earned a new sense of style. When their senior year pulled around, Bryce was voted most attractive, and girls envied Joyce. She had never had girls so jealous of her in all her life, but she did not mind because she knew Bryce was hers and hers alone.

After graduation, Bryce joined the army and Joyce attended a four-year university. She did not necessarily like this arrangement, but it was what Bryce wanted to do, and she would not stop him. Besides, it would be beneficial for him in the long run. He would be able to afford the education he deserved (Bryce was not the smartest or wealthiest boy around, after all), and gain a life experience that would last him for years. She would see him too, on occasion, and he would keep in touch. In the end, they would meet again. Joyce was not too worried; things would work out as they should.

He had been gone for almost a year, and letters came from him on a weekly basis. They were always long letters adorned with love, and rarely did he speak of the war. Mostly, he talked about their life together, about how much he missed her and wanted to be with her. Joyce could not help but think "Come back home," but it was a sacrifice they had to make.

Her penguin did not come that year. It was supposed to arrive on December 3rd, because that was the day she received her first penguin, and every penguin after that. It was now December 15th, and Joyce was growing anxious. She tried to contact him and anyone else who would know his whereabouts, but this was all in vain.

One day, on the 21st of the month, a package came, and Joyce knew exactly what was inside. As she tore open the box, a happy smile on her face, she saw the beautiful blue eyes of her penguin. It was made entirely of jewels. The eyes were made of sapphire, the body of onyx and diamonds. Around its neck, the penguin wore a necklace. Tied to this necklace was a gold band with a small diamond placed delicately in the center. Her heart dropped. She knew exactly what this meant.

Joyce did not have any time to celebrate, though. Just as soon as she had opened the box, a knock came on the door. With the penguin still in tow, she walked towards the door and opened it, peeking out shyly.

"Miss Macalloy?" the man dressed in green attire asked.

She cleared her throat and stepped out onto the porch. "Soon to be Mrs. Winters."

The man's already solemn face seemed to grow graver and graver by the second. "Miss Macalloy...Winters...I have some news to share with you..."

She did not need to hear another word. She fell to her knees and wailed, dropping the penguin with a clank to the floor. The military official left her Bryce's badge and allowed her to mourn in peace.

It was the last penguin she would ever receive.

Author's Note

advanced critique appreciated

Reviews

[Shellie]

Extremely moving story. In regards to your authors note, I honestly have no criticism to offer. Its perfectly done in my opinion, beginning to end and very mature writing in regards to seeing whats inside a person rather than on the outside. The idea of the penguin was fabulous. Excellent writing.

[Anya]

Beautiful, but so, so sad.

[Chirpy!]

This is so sad. Its the most tragic, romance under a page I have ever read.
this was beautiful.