2016 – Day 58

Mila trudged through the trees behind the new house. Tired of crying about the 2,000-mile move cross-country and unwilling to listen to her parents argue about where to place the divan, she had wandered out the back door, through the backyard gate, and into the forest that stretched for miles beyond. Sunlight broke through the trees, causing her to squint and throw up her hands for shade. She pressed on, pushing aside small branches and wading through the deepening pine needle cover on the forest floor. Behind her, the house was no longer in view.

Soon she came upon a large fallen tree. It had no leaves but the trunk was still solid, so she hauled herself up and reached her arms out for balance as she looked around. To her left and right she saw nothing but more trees, but straight ahead, barely visible through the dense branches, there was something else. Something bright blue. Mila looked up at the sky, trying to judge how much longer the sun would light her way. Then she climbed down and began walking in the direction where she had seen the blue.

As she walked, she sometimes got glimpses of it through the trees, though she still could not tell what it was. Other times, she lost sight of it and had to trust that she was still going in the right direction. After what seemed like hours, though likely it was less, she pushed aside a large branch and found herself in a clearing. And there, at the center, was the bright blue color she had seen. It was a house, small and well-kept, with bright blue walls and white shutters on the windows. A garden stood just beyond the front door, and Mila could see cucumbers and carrots growing in neatly laid out rows.

Just then, the front door opened and a woman appeared. She wore overalls, a wide-brimmed sunhat, and gardening gloves and she carried a spade. As the woman approached the garden, she looked around and, noticing Mila, gave a slight cry of surprise. Then, just as quickly, a broad smile spread across her face and she ran back to the door.

"Put on the kettle, Clarabelle!" she shouted into the house. "We've got company!"