Once Upon A Puppet

ICE BREAKERS (part 2)

As she entered the park she saw no one there. It was deserted. Only the freshly fallen snow breathed. She inhaled, deep, and exhaled. Freshly fallen snow smelt great she liked the tinge of sadness in it. A tinge of grey-blue. And just as she inhaled for the second time something stone-cold hit her face. Her face went numb and she fell to the ground. The attack was followed by a burst of childish laughter "be ready because it's on!"

"You little brat," she mumbled as she got up and watched him run away waving his arms like spaghetti.

And thus, a snowball fight ensued. They chased each other around and when she finally caught him they both fell to the ground exhausted and happy. Anne felt alive. She felt each of her organs melting the snow underneath. The warmth of joy filled her inside.

"Hey, Benji..... Theres no one here."

"Theres supposed to be no one here."

"What do you mean?" she shifted her weight on an elbow which lifted her to her side.

"You know... you looked gloomy. I wanted to cheer you up. You look pretty when you laugh." he smiled innocently.

Damn this boy... he watches too many movies. She thought

"Let me show you around." he said getting up, "I know this place like the back of my hand."

Anne was feeling good and she knew she owed it to the little boy so she nodded and got up. They left the park and walked towards the more crowded area of the town.

PinesFall was small. A happy little heaven and Benji had chosen the best time to show her around. A snowy morning when no one was in the street.

He showed her his friends houses

"Tommy lives here." she looked right a red-brick ancient-looking house. A feeling of old. It was lovely.

"Aurora here." he pointed left to a burgundy door.

"Whos Aurora? Your girlfriend eh?" she poked him in the ribs.

"No...No.... you'll meet Susan too but Aurora is gran's friend. She makes the best hot cocoa."

"Susan?"

"Girlfriend."

Anne was enthralled by the casualty with which he spoke. He was funny.

"Thats the bakery where gran gets the bread from."

They turned onto the street which leads to the town square. It was just the shops and all.

Benji points at different shops and stalls and houses. That boy knew the who, where and what of the town.

Slowly the population thinned down and they stopped. A beautiful old piece of architecture lays amidst the trees.

"Thats the new café," he says "I want to go inside but we're early. I've never seen the inside of that café."

"Then we'll get something from here someday." she pokes his nose.

"Promise?" he holds out his pinkie.

"Promise." And the pinkies entwine.

"Whats down there?" she points down a path leading into the woods.

"Trees you know."

"I can see that but look there's a path."

"I dont know gran never allows to go down there. Maybe it descends down to the lake."

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They returned to Mrs. Wood's house. As they slowly closed the door behind them, Mrs. Wood's stood before them arms crossed. Benji let out a tiny squeal when she grabbed him by the ear.

"You little devil!!!" She tightened her grip a little, "how dare you to leave the house so early like this? I was worried when I found the empty beds."

Anne stood frozen in a corner.

"I did it for good reasons. I took Anne for a walk." Benji quickly said.

Mrs. Wood's let go of his ear.

"Of course I don't blame you, dear, He can be a handful sometimes."

And then her mood changed again and she danced towards the kitchen.

Anne was a bit amazed by this. It was weird. And her tiny scrunched up face wasn't hiding her thoughts. Maybe it was because of the happiness she felt before that her emotions were showing a bit.

"Yeah she's old she does this sometimes. It worries me." Benji as though reading her thoughts passed a statement.

"Kids wash up." Mrs. Wood's voice sang from the kitchen.