Chocolate Happiness

“What could I get out of this life with and for happiness?”   Lily pondered.

Chocolate is happiness.  An emotional bliss.  Something as simple as chocolate creates an emotional happiness.  Why can’t other happy things be obtained as simple as eating a piece of chocolate?  I want to be happy always and other people to be happy too.  Can’t have everything or everybody happy all the time.  Why not?  Is it an attitude?  A certain way of thinking?  Can I always be happy despite other people that are not?  I guess…unless you love them and they are not happy.  So you try to help them be happy like yourself, right?  It doesn’t always easily work that way.  Why does everything have to be so hard?  Even obtaining happiness for oneself can be so hard.  If I can’t help someone else be happy, then do I just move on and just try to be happy myself?  I suppose so.  I’ll just eat this piece of chocolate and be done with it.  I’m happy…while everyone around me is sad or angry.  But at least one person is happy in this world and that is me!  This chocolate tastes so good!

“Is this seat taken?”

“Excuse me, is this seat taken?”  A deep voice asked a little louder.

“No, no it’s not taken.”  Lily answered as she broke from her thoughts and turned to the man speaking. 

He was the man she saw yesterday at the jewelry table at the Fall Festival Arts and Crafts Market.  She hadn’t seen him all day yesterday nor all day today.  And now he shows up out of nowhere.  What is he doing here?  He was so rude and not friendly at all.  I don’t even really want to see him again.  He is a very unhappy person just trying to ruin everyone else’s day and my happy moment with this piece of chocolate. 

“Go away.”  She wanted to say.

“I just want to say I’m sorry about what happened on Friday.” The man said.

“Ok” She replied and wanted to add “Please go away.”  But it’s not her nature to be rude.  “Don’t be like him.”  She reminded herself.  Be happy.  Just smile.

“My daughter Canna said that you bought the necklace that she and her mother made.” He said.

“Oh, that‘s nice, that they both worked together on it.  It really is a beautiful piece.  They did a really good job designing and making it.  I’m sure it took a lot of time.”

“And you paid her to make a bracelet and earrings to match it.” He replied.

“Yes.  It is beautiful artwork and I’d like a matching set…if she can do it.  Is there a problem?  Did I give her enough money to make them?”

“Well, it was supposed to be for my daughter to keep.  You see…her mother passed away and I want her and her sister to have and keep it.” He answered.

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that her mother passed.  I can bring the necklace back.  Do you think she can make me another one similar to it then?”.  There was a silent few seconds.

“Maybe she couldn’t make another one.”  She thought.  

Then she said and offered “Or maybe I can pick something else?”

“I hope you don’t mind picking something else. “  He said.

“Not at all.  All of the necklaces were beautiful anyway.  Would you like a piece of chocolate?”  She asked.  She wanted to make the moment less somber.  To try to make things a little better.

He smiled.  “No, thanks.”

“It tastes so creamy and elegant, please try a piece.  I bought it at this chocolatier I passed by in South Dakota.”  She insisted. 

“It’s called Happiness.”  She added.  What a silly name I made up, but who has to know and who has to know I made the truffle?  Why did I say South Dakota anyway?  He looks so different when he smiles.  Strange, how someone really can look different when they smile.  The eyes light up with more color in the face.

“Happiness?” He asked. “You were in South Dakota?”

“Yes. It’s Happiness from South Dakota.  Take a piece.” She answered with a smile.

Published 10/31/2023 Written by Marcella Melson