Pancake Picnic

There’s a celebration in the East, and West. Glinda joins me for it. She then tells me she made her new apprentice a Dame.

“Why?” I ask.

“I felt a title suited her.” She says simply. I laugh, but she doesn’t. Still smiling. Dame Kaylin is also in attendance with her parents. The large dark grey almost black cobbled patio before the castle is huge. At its end is a half wall made of black brick. Than grass beyond it. Surrounding on all sides is the shadowy forest. Which I imagine will keep out unwanted guests. Theo walks over to stand next to me.

“Westbrook.” I say.

“What?” Theo says.

“Well we can’t just have the town before my castle not have a name. Uncharted on a map. Westbrook.” He smiles.

“Not very creative is it?” He says playfully. I nudge him with my shoulder. He nudges me back. There’s yellow streamers hanging from towers. People in elaborate costumes, and masks of all kinds. Two large Buffay tables on either side of the patio. Chicken, turkey, omelets, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes and marshmallow, fruit covered in a sweet syrup, rutabaga pie, button berry pie, golden apple crumble, green apple turnovers, and red caramel apples. The bright colors of the costumes, decorations and table cloths, along with the cheery music being played contrasts with the gothic castle, and the dreary forest around it.

“Enjoy the colors, and festivity’s while they last.” I tell Eve who laughs. I dance with Theo half a dozen times. The party goes on until dark. The the rain starts. I cry out in pain. So distracted in my merriment that I hadn’t even noticed the sky grow an even darker black. At least seven different people some I recognize from Westbrook, some from other parts of the West each clammer to give me their umbrella. I take Theo’s.

“Thank you.” I say.

“Thank you.” He says I rush to be under the cover of my castle roof.

“For what?” I ask closing it.

“For everything.” I walk though big double doors. Eve comes in after us. Trying very hard not to get my floor wet. Winkies come in with towels. I see party guests leave in a rush. The festivity’s over with, with the rain. A frog musician complains about his violin, being ruined. I laugh at his sad misfortune. The wicked in me I’m sure.

“So are you moving in? Or what?” I ask. Eve points to herself.

“Yes you too Eve.” I say rolling my eyes.

“Can I have a sweet? Can I have a wing? How many rooms do your wings have? Can I have one of your carriages take us to, and from the orchard?” Her questions are one after another. Theo holds my hands. It’s like it’s only the two of us in the room.

“Will we share a room?”

“Of course.”

“I’m no King Miss. Just a farmer.”

“Then don’t be I King. I’d prefer to rule alone anyway. Just be my husband.” I say. I retreat to my thrown room after a time. I could hear the pattering of rain against the roof of my castle barring me inside. Then a flying money enters, and bows.

“The Cider family would like to enter your highness.”

“Send them in.” I say. Next to the grand piano Theo rolls out a few blankets, and rugs. Mr. And Ms. Cider are holding plates of pancakes, and umbrellas. Eve has a picnic basket. She pulls out fruit, butter, molasses, maple syrup, powdered sugar, and other toppings. I get up to sit with them. I never had much in the way of friends, but I’m glad I found them. They’re not bad ones to have.