It was quite a warm day for so early in the year. Extra care needed to be taken as the eggs were hidden so they were not in the direct heat of the sun where they might spoil before being found and turning the festivities into a tragedy.
I sat fanning myself under one of the brightly colored umbrellas and sipping slowly on an ice cold julip while watching the mass scatterings of small people rushing about on the lawn and through the bushes, gaskets waving from their little arms, voices rising in squeals of laughter and colliding words that could make jibberish make sense. I half expected to see a white rabbit emerge at any moment, pocket watch in hand exclaiming fear of tardiness for a royal event.
Instead, my eyes spied a lone figure emerge from a near bush. She looked to be about 6 or 7, but what struck me was her clothing. For she looked to be dressed out of a Dickenson play. She could easily have been one of Oliver’s gang, if he allowed girls.
She walked right up to me and took the seat across. “What’s that you’re drinking sir?” she asked.
“It’s a mint julip. Would you like one”
“Oh, no thank you. But is there any chance there is any ice cream?”
I reached over to the cooler and pulled a small container out with a little wooden spoon and pushed it across the table to her. “There is only vanilla left. I hope that is okay.”
“My very favorite!” she exclaimed, reaching quick and had the lid off and the entire container consumed in no time. “Thank you, kind sir. I was so very hungry.”
“There is more food over there.” I pointed to the barbeque area.
“That’s okay. I only come for the ice cream.”
“Only the ice cream?”
Yes sir. Twas the last thing I ate and the only thing I hunger for.”
“What do you mean, the last thing you ate?” confusion overtaking me.
“Why yes sir. Afore I did battle with the Jabberwocky and lost” she ran her fingers around the inside of the container then pushed it back my way and stood up. “I suppose I should get back now. They shall be expecting me.”
“But wait!” I called, but she was already entering the bush.
She turned just before, entering and smiled. “It’s fine sir. Alice will be next and I hear she is a much better warrior than I>”
Her form turned to mist as the leaves closed behind her.
But wait. Alice wasn’t the first?
Copyright – Sephi PiderWitch March 31, 2019
(Prompt: A hungry ghost, a holiday, ice cream)
