A very Berry Adventure

Lizzy tugs the sheet around her shoulders. It still drags over the wild grass. Her free hand reaches out, and the tall grass weaves between her fingers. She yanks at the bundled seeds at the end. They fall into her palm. She clutches them to her chest. 

The wind whispers through the grass; its warm breath brushes over Lizzy’s face. She tilts her head up and closes her eyes. It’s so blessedly quiet. 

Reaching the lone oak, she spreads the sheet so it covers her like a tent and folds herself beneath it. Opening her hand, she inspects her tiny treasure. 

“You can grow new grass with those seeds.” 

Lizzy peers up. A young girl with pigtails stands nearby. 

“I know.” She clenches her hand into a tight fist. “Might try it when I get home.”

“Where do you live?” 

“Umm, I can’t tell strangers.” Lizzy grimaces.

“I’m Abby.” The other girl waves and smiles. “It’s my birthday. I’m eight now.” 

Lizzy blinks. “I’m eight too.” She scrambles to her feet, ignoring the sheet as it flutters to the ground. “I’m Lizzy.” 

“Wanna go on an adventure? Discover new places together!”

“Sure.” Lizzy picks up the sheet. “We could make a hideout.” 

Abby nods eagerly. “Come.” 

The two girls scurry over the field. Lizzy slips the seeds into her pocket; they will have to wait. 

After they craft the hideout near the bramble bushes, they haul in a load of sweet blackberries and fill their bellies. 

“I’m happy.” Lizzy sighs and swipes the berry juice off her chin.

“Yeah?” 

“The girls in my class don’t enjoy going on adventures out here.”

“Their loss.” Abby pops the last berry into her mouth. “Bet we can find another bramble bush tomorrow.”

“I can’t wait.” Lizzy lifts the sheet and peers outside. “I must go now, or Mother will be so mad.”

“Aw!” Abby pouts. “We had so much fun.” 

Lizzy crawls out of their hideout and tugs the sheet away from the low-hanging branches. “I know. I want to do this again tomorrow.” 

“We can do this every day.” 

“Awesome.” 

Lizzy rushes towards the dirt path leading to the backside of their garden. Without looking back, she calls out, “See you tomorrow, Abby.” 

Her mother stands by the garden gate, a frown between her eyes. “It’s getting late!” 

“I found a new friend,” Lizzy exclaims, waving the sheet over her head.

“Oh. Where is she? I’d like to meet her.” 

Lizzy glances over her shoulder. Abby stands by the oak tree, waving, and Lizzy points, “That’s Abby, up there by the oak.”

Her mother squints over the meadow.

“Hmm.” Lizzy’s mother takes her hand and mumbles, “You always had a great imagination.” 

“But she’s right there," Lizzy insists.

“I’m sure she is.” Her mother sighs. 

“Bye, Abby,” Lizzy whispers, her eyes never leaving her new friend. Just as she enters the garden, Abby fades into nothing. 

Her mother never sees Roger or Harriet when they come to play, either.