Picnic
“Help me with this blanket, would you?” Galinda had finally found the perfect spot, and motioned enthusiastically to Elphaba, who followed closely behind her. Elphaba chuckled and shook her head, reaching out to grasp the corners of what she assumed was the only pink picnic blanket in all of Oz. She helped Galinda lower the blanket onto the soft grass and Galinda began to methodically unpack the picnic she had prepared.
Elphaba sat down, getting comfortable as she looked over the array of food and accoutrements Galinda had lifted from the dining hall. Elphaba was relieved that Galinda didn’t cook. Food-borne illness would not pair well with everything else she was carrying at the moment. She smoothed the edges of the blanket as she took in the surrounding nature. The clear blue sky illuminated every blade of glass with a warm glow and sunlight shined in rays through fairytale trees that created a cool oasis of shade for their picnic. It really was the perfect spot.
Galinda stole glances at Elphaba as she laid out plates, napkins, silverware, and everything else she was sure the Shiz kitchen wouldn’t miss. Galinda wanted Elphaba to have a nice time—to let go of everything for a little while and just be. She could get so caught up in her own head sometimes, burdened by the weight of a past she just couldn’t seem to escape. Galinda understood and accepted this of course, but she would always take the time to create small moments like these—little pockets of safety that could hold Elphaba or challenge the voice in her head that told her she didn’t deserve this kind of care.
Galinda gave everything a once over and settled down across from Elphaba, giving her hand a light squeeze to break her out of her daydreaming. Elphaba met her eyes and gave a small smile. “You’d better be hungry, Elphie,” Galinda said as she began to make a plate for her. “I’m giving you one of everything. Though… maybe two of these.” Elphaba looked down as Galinda gestured to a plate of almond cookies. She laughed silently to herself as Galinda added a third cookie to her plate.
Galinda paid attention—sometimes too much. Elphaba recalled the one time she had asked Galinda to bring her an extra almond cookie from the dining hall. She didn’t even like them all that much. It had just been a temporary whim. But now, Galinda would go out of her way to bring that specific cookie for Elphaba several times a week. Elphaba wouldn’t dream of telling her to stop. That dry sandy cookie was a small price to pay for the joy that lit up Galinda’s face every time she presented Elphaba with the familiar little napkin parcel.
“This looks great, thank you,” Elphaba said as she took the plate from Galinda. Galinda quickly fixed her own plate, and soon they were eating together as Galinda chatted jubilantly about every passing thought that had come to her throughout the day. Elphaba loved listening to Galinda talk. She didn’t always understand what she was saying, but the sound of her voice relaxed her, easing the tension in her body and mind.
“Galinda?”
Galinda paused mid-sentence, tilting her head and offering a reassuring smile, urging Elphaba to speak her mind.
“Thank you. For all of this, I mean,” Elphaba started, putting down her plate and brushing off her hands as she contemplated her next words. “I know I’ve been a little distant lately. I’m really sorry. Sometimes I just can’t get out of my head. And I know you know that, so I’m not even sure why I’m saying this at all.” Elphaba shook her head, trying to get her thoughts together. Galinda put down her own plate and gently took Elphaba’s hand, tethering her to the moment and calming her.
“Go on, my love. It’s just me and you,” Galinda said quietly as she brought Elphaba’s hand to her lips and tenderly kissed her knuckles.
Elphaba looked at her for a moment, finding safety in the loving brown eyes that gazed back at her. “I just don’t ever want you to think I take you for granted,” Elphaba continued, a sad expression forming on her face. “I love you so much, Galinda. It hurts me to think that I can’t always see past my own problems and truly appreciate what’s right in front of me. I cherish these moments with you. I need you to know that. Every moment with you is a gift that I can’t even begin to wrap my head around. It’s like my brain won’t let me accept it. And I don’t want you to misinterpret my conflict as disinterest or lack of appreciation, because that couldn’t be further from what I feel. I think I’m just feeling more than I ever have, and it’s making me reevaluate everything that came before you. That’s how I think of my life now—before you, and after you. Which, of course, makes me sound absolutely mad, so please stop me anytime because I’m afraid I might just keep talking forever—”
Elphaba hadn’t realized her gaze had wandered to her own fidgeting hands until she looked back up and saw tears in the eyes of her sweet love.
“Galinda—I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry. I’m no good at this and—“
“Elphie, stop.” Galinda shook her head and closed her eyes for a moment, prompting the gathering tears to fall down her cheeks all at once. “That… was perfect.”
“It was?” Elphaba looked at her, flabbergasted but relieved.
“Yes,” Galinda said as she wiped her tears away and took Elphaba’s hand again. “But I’m afraid we have a problem.”
Elphaba glanced back at her nervously, but relaxed a little when she saw Galinda’s sly smile.
“I can’t believe I packed this incredible picnic, brought us to this perfect spot, and gave you three of your favorite cookies just for you to turn the tables on me like that!” Galinda huffed with a hint of sarcasm.
Elphaba stared at her, intrigued but confused.
Galinda giggled, moving plates and containers aside so she could move closer to Elphaba. “I planned this whole day to make you feel better. And then you go and say all of that? Sweet Oz, Elphaba. That’s just not fair.”
Elphaba smiled lightly, beginning to understand where Galinda was going with this.
Seeing Elphaba relax, Galinda allowed herself to be serious for a moment. “I know you’ve been struggling lately. And I know that I can’t fix it, even though I desperately want to. Yes, it’s hard for me when you pull away or become distant, but I know how your mind works, and I know you’ll come back to me when you’ve sorted through everything in your own way. You never need to apologize for that.” Galinda looked deeply into Elphaba’s eyes, making sure she understood. Satisfied, she continued, as her teasing smile returned. “But really, how can you say you take me for granted when you just casually say the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard on a random afternoon! I’ll be honest Elphie, I think I needed to hear that. Not because you’ve done anything to make me feel unappreciated, but because I have my own self-doubt and nagging little mind monsters.”
Elphaba arched her brow at that. “Nagging little mind monsters?”
Galinda laughed. “Oh Elphie, you know… Those dreadful little monsters that live in your brain and tell you you’re not good enough, not pretty enough, not smart enough, not pink enough—”
Elphaba held up her hand, “Now which one of those monsters told you you’re not pink enough? Because Galinda, I’ll tell you right now. They lied.”
Galinda blinked, always stunned by Elphaba’s rare humorous moments, and then doubled over with laughter, putting a hand on her chest to catch her breath.
Elphaba watched her, unable to control the smile that overtook her face. Making Galinda laugh was her favorite thing in the world, and she savored every second.
When Galinda caught her breath, she scooted even closer to Elphaba so that their knees were touching. “Elphie, that’s the point. The nagging little mind monsters lie. Mine tell me I’m not pink enough and yours tell you that you don’t deserve this type of love and care.” Galinda leaned forward to kiss Elphaba’s cheek, lingering for a moment to whisper, “But you do.”
Elphaba turned her head and kissed Galinda softly on the lips, wrapping her arms around her waist and pulling her into a tight embrace. Galinda melted into her, wrapping her arms around Elphaba’s neck and sighing happily.
“I love you, Elphie. So much.” Galinda whispered.
Elphaba held her tighter, closing her eyes and allowing herself to be there with Galinda. Completely. “I love you too, my sweet.”