A Thousand Boy Kisses

Content Warning: This work contains discussions of death and illness involving children.

Looking back 12 years, 17-year-old Rune Kristiansen recalls one of the four moments that defined his life.

A five-year-old Rune is yelling at his mother in Norwegian, complaining that his family moved to Blossom Grove, Georgia. Rune can speak English, and his parents only address him in English. Rune’s house is right next to another home, and Rune is uncomfortable with how his window faces the neighbor’s window. A five-year-old girl climbs out of the window, covered in mud, and approaches Rune. The girl shakes Rune’s hand and explains that handshakes are polite. She introduces herself as Poppy Litchfield. Rune yells at Poppy in Norwegian, but Poppy thinks it is exciting that Rune is a “Viking,” saying his long blond hair and blue eyes make him look like Thor. Poppy says she goes on adventures and that she would like a Viking to join her. She says they will talk all night and be best friends. Rune thinks living in Georgia might not be so bad with Poppy around, but he notes that things can always change.