A Swing in the Park

16. Home

Two days later I was released from the hospital. It was late afternoon and my father came to drive me home.

I loved our front garden, the bright colored flowers my mother had planted, the white picket fence with the creaking gate, the foyer, the large living room with the large leather couch and my father's Lazy Boy, the small dining room with the round table and the four chairs and a window that looked out on our lawn and my father's work shed. I wanted to stay there forever.

"Where's mom?" I said, curling up on the couch.

"Out shopping," he said. "She made dinner before she went and it is keeping warm in the oven."

"Where's Elsa?" I said.

"In Florida with her mother," he said.

"Are you going there to be with her?" I said.

"I can't talk about that," he said. "Now is not the right time."

"When is the right time?" I said.

"When your mother is home," he said. "So many questions! I'm glad you're feeling better."

"Are you mad at me, dad?" I said.

"I was never mad at you," he said.

"Elsa got me out," I said. "She figured it out, dad."

"I see," he said.

"She came to Randolph's house and got me out of the jar and gave me growing potion. And she stomped his feet and then I stomped him and he turned into green smoke."

"Katie?" He said. "That trip we took to the zoo, and to the ape's village and Grandfather, did you and Elsa go on a trip too?"

"Yep," I said. "And me and mom. And Fred too. He was a knight and he defeated the dark wizard and made the Great Tree go away."

"I don't know what to make of you," he said. "I don't know if you're a wizard or a little girl."

Then the front door opened and my mother came in. Her dark hair was cut short and she was wearing a red dress with a low neck. My father whistled and it made me laugh.

"Turn for us," he smiled, and she did, swinging her hips as she went.

"Come sit at the table," she said cheerfully. "We are having chicken pot pie."

"Good heavens," my father exclaimed. "You've gone all out!"

"It's something the queen said," she smiled. "I don't remember what it was. I had to do something. I think I did it."

We sat at the table, my parents side by side. As they forked their dinners their hands touched and she gave him a small smile.

"I'm not seeing Fred anymore," she said suddenly. "I know you don't like him. It was a mistake. I was angry at your father."

"But I like him now," I said.

"That may be," she said, "but he has moved. He's living closer to his daughter."

"Christie?" I said.

"So you know about that," she smiled.

"And I'm not going to Florida," my father said. "I am going to be right here with you and your mother."

"Then do you guys love each other again?" I said.

"We never stopped, honey," she said. "That was our problem."

"What about Elsa?" I said. "I love her. She is the one who got me out."

"And we'll always be deeply grateful to her," my mother said. "And if you want, you can visit her sometime".

Now there were tears in my eyes. My father took my hand and squeezed it. My mother took the other.

"You really love her, don't you?" My mother said.

I nodded.

"Elsa gave me a message," my father said. "She said go to the field with wildflowers, cross the creek and wait by the first toadstool in the village. You will always find her there looking for you. You are never alone."

"Does that mean anything, sweetheart?" My mother said.

"Yes," I said. "It means she loves me too. And now you guys must kiss."

My father turned and kissed my mother. It was a long kiss and then my mother sighed. I looked into her eyes and saw the stars.