The Harper Family (Wattpad Version)

Ice cream

Sofie

I stopped at a store and bought two containers of Superman ice cream, a box of plastic spoons, a small cooler, and ice. After checking out, I drove to the park and waited at a picnic table. While I waited for Odin, I watched adults chase around kids.

I don't remember my parents ever taking me to a park. My babysitters did, but not my parents.

A little girl ran with dark brown hair ran toward me and stopped.

"Julia!" An older woman caught up with the little girl and crouched. "What did I say about staying with Nana?"

The little girl laughed.

The woman looked at me. "I'm so sorry." She stood up. "Toddlers forget their boundaries."

"It's not a problem," I said with a small smile.

The woman looked around me and noticed the cooler. "Why are you sitting alone and watching the kids?" The woman stood up and lifted the little girl in her hands.

My eyebrows raised, and I stood up. "Oh, no, no, no. I'm meeting someone here." I opened the cooler and pulled out a carton of ice cream. "I brought ice cream because the person is having a rough day."

"What?" The woman knitted her brows.

"The person is upset so I figure I would bring them ice cream." I bobbed my head. "Sometimes, ice cream can help."

"Oh."

"Would you like some? I have plenty." I showed the inside of the cooler with another container of ice cream.

The woman looked at Julia. "Would you like some ice cream before we go home?"

"Peese," Julia said.

"Okay." The woman sat down at the picnic table with Julia on her lap.

I handed the woman a carton and two spoons. She took both and helped Julia with her ice cream.

"I'm Sofie."

"I'm Maddie and this is Julia."

I waved at Julia and smiled. "It's nice to meet you."

Julia smiled and waved. "Hi."

"We can stay for a little while but then need to head home. Julia doesn't do well with large gatherings," Maddie said.

"Large gatherings can be overwhelming to small children," I mentioned.

Maddie looked at me.

"Sorry. I volunteer at a center for kids. Most of the kids have a difficult adjustment with large groups."

"How old are you?"

"Seventeen, but I turn eighteen in October."

"So, you're still in high school?"

"It's the end of my junior year. Next year, I'll be a senior. I'm hoping to study early childhood development in college."

"It's nice that you know what you want to do with your life. Most people don't."

"It's better than sitting home and staring at walls."

Maddie giggled. "We need to go." Maddie placed the lid on the ice cream and handed it to me before getting up with Julia. "It was nice to meet you, Sofie."

"Same, Maddie. Bye, Julia." I gave Julia a small wave.

Julia waved. "Bye, Sopie."

I giggled as Maddie walked away with Julia. I put the ice cream in the cooler, closed the lid, and waited for Odin.