(Not) nice to meet you Greedler.

                                    

                                              
As it always does, time passed quicker than either of us fathomed. It felt like we had only just met, but it was almost a year since we had. Oncie's business had greatly increased. He was drawing up possible plans for a factory; just in case the day came that he would expand his reach outside of this small town. The idea of his thneeds being that big was exciting for both of us. Yet, somehow this was unsettling. I worried for the forest and where this factory would be built. I often expressed my concerns to Oncie who usually was irritated by the conversation. It wasn't often, but it occurred more and more often that he would get angry, or snap, in a fashion that just wasn't like him. The outbursts and glares never lasted long. He'd blame it on being tired. But I always thought back on the night I saw those piercing green eyes from beneath the water; and sometimes I swore his eyes changed colors when he got mad. That idea was just preposterous, wasn't it? I had finished rewriting a few chapters of a story I had started a few years ago to send to my dad's friend. After rewriting it and getting Oncie's approval I sent it off. He called one day and said I would be hearing from him in a month, or just a bit longer. Everyday I paced around the house trying to think if I could have written something differently, or just a bit better.
                          
Oncie went into town to work as he did most days now. He had a small stand that housed him and his machines daily. If he knew there was not much work the next day he would stay home. We sometimes went on hikes through the valley, or had picnics, on both of our off days. I always expected the "honeymoon phase" to dissipate after this long, but we were still very happy with each other. Sometimes we just lay in the grass and dreamed of a future of traveling and no cares. But to afford that kind of life we would both need to work hard. I was proud of Oncie he held up his promise for so long. We would preemptively harvest tufts for orders. And when they dropped seeds we would plant them. The Lorax approved of this. He was happy to see Oncie making up for the tree he cut down. One day while Oncie was in town we got to talking while I made lunch.
                          
"Lorax," I said, "why are you still here? I don't mind it, but Oncie stopped cutting the trees."
                          
"You two tryin' to get rid of me?" he asked.
                          
"Not me, Oncie maybe," I retorted playfully.
                          
"I want to see how things turn out."
                          
"What do you mean?"
                          
"I'm worried with that factory plan he has."
                          
"You've been going through his things again?"
                          
"You're not worried?"
                          
"Of course I am, but he assured me he won't go over the top. And he's looking into alternative electric options. I trust Oncie, you should too."
                          
"Why do ya gotta be so positive?"
                          
"Because you're too negative."
                          
I patted him on the head. With a smile I served up some lunch. We sat outside in the grass. Some of the barbaloots came over and ate some marshmallows Oncie brought home. He often shared them so he shouldn't mind that I gave the animals some marshmallows. My mind wandered as I lay in the warm sun. Until a shadow crept over my face. I peered one eye open to see Oncie standing there.
                          
"I see you've all eaten my marshmallows," he huffed.
                          
"Oh yeah, the barbaloots went crazy, you should have seen it. Marshmallows were the only way to calm them down."
                          
"Mhm. And you had nothing to do with it."
                          
"Not a thing."
                          
He bent over and ran his finger at the corner of my mouth. A piece of marshmallow was left on my face. We both knew I was joking, but I always did something silly to get myself caught. It wasn't on purpose, but things like that happened. Oncie cocked his eyebrow unconvinced by my story.