Life of Namine

From the apartment window, Namine watches five children chase one another across the park’s worn grass. A freckled child in a yellow raincoat, a slight young girl with copper curls, pale skin, a gap-toothed smile, striped leggings, and red rain boots, sits beneath the maple tree, clutching a stack of bright drawings.

The other children slow near the swings. The freckled child rises, their papers fanning in the breeze, and presses one drawing carefully against the tree trunk.

The drawing shows the lighthouse on the hill, its beam stretching over a blue sea filled with tiny boats. Colored stars crowd the corners of the page.

Below the window, the children gather around the picture, trading guesses about the boats and lighthouse. The park settles into an attentive hush, leaving Namine the quiet view.

Namine lifts one translucent hand beside the apartment window. Her palm-sized projector brightens, casting a clean blue-white lighthouse above the park, taller than the maple tree and turning slowly in the air.

The hologram’s beam sweeps gently across the grass without heat or sound. Tiny boats appear around its base, their painted colors echoing the drawing pressed to the trunk.

The freckled child in the yellow raincoat steps closer, raincoat shining beneath the projection. The other children circle the lighthouse, pointing out the tiny boats and stars while the image holds steady.

The question hangs beneath the rotating beam. The children look up toward Namine’s window, waiting for the next picture.

The children lean closer to the floating lighthouse, with Leo, a slight young boy with warm brown skin, short curly black hair, a green hoodie, and scuffed sneakers, their faces washed in blue-white light; June, a petite young girl with light skin, straight dark-blonde hair in a bob, a pink cardigan, and denim shorts. The freckled child in the yellow raincoat keeps one hand against her drawing while the others exchange excited glances; and Priya, a slim young girl with deep brown skin, long braided black hair, a purple sweatshirt, and leggings.

Mara turns her drawing over and sketches a quick square outline in the air with one finger. The other children gather close, eager to correct or add details.

Namine’s projector catches each detail: the white walls, red roof, blue shutters, crooked chimney, and bright yellow door. The holographic house takes shape beside the lighthouse.

Small holographic blooms appear beneath the windows, spilling red and violet color across the porch. Mara presses both hands to her drawing, delighted to see its missing pieces restored.