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of tea. Marion and Gladys had moved outdoors with two tall glasses of lemonade to soak up the sun. They sat in the front yard. They talked and gossiped about everything under the sun, including what was going on in town since the last time they were there. In fact, a trip to town was again needed.
    Simon hadn’t once come up from the workshop all morning. He had been down there for hours.
    Lunch was the only meal that they didn’t spend together. Everyone sort of did their own thing. The children, as usual, spent theirs in the garden, always having the same meal. It didn’t matter to them; they were happy.
    “I know what Mery’s doing, I know what Mery’s doing!” Aaron cried as he twirled himself around, staring at the sky and making himself dizzy.
    “Do not!” Tobey cried back, just to tease his younger brother.
    “Do so!” Aaron replied with frustration.
    “Do not!”
    “Boys!” Marion added her contribution to the argument.
    “She’s making lunch, so we can play in the garden. And I’m going to wait over there!” Aaron ran with all his might to the gate of the garden. Tobey just watched him and then decided to check up on his sister.
    Merydith stood in the kitchen, fixing the sandwiches, her mind drifting . Is it a smart idea to go into the garden after last night? This scares me. I don’t know if it’s safe, or if the intruder is still there or what? Should I…?
    “Merydith.”
    She started as Tobey’s voice surprised her and made her remember what she was doing.
    “You almost cut your hand with that knife when you were trying to cut the sandwich,” Tobey said.
    Merydith stared at the knife and then at Tobey. “Thank you, Tobey, you’re right. That was close.” The whistling of the teapot caught both their attentions. “Well, lunch is ready. Let’s go.”
    Within moments, Tobey and Merydith were on their way to the garden. Passing Marion and Gladys, they went around the corner to the backyard. The spikes came into view first, then the great wall, and then…little Aaron. He waited with an impatient look on his face. “It’s about time,” he snapped. “I’ve been waiting here forever.”
    “Oh, I doubt that,” Merydith said with a smile.
    Finally, Tobey reached up, threw up the latch, and swung open the gate with full force. Once again, they entered the garden together.
    A flock of blue jays scattered with their entrance as the garden flourished in peaceful silence. Merydith stood for a moment, hesitant. She did not want to go on. She looked around with caution and listened attentively.
    Aaron ran off as quickly as he could and jumped up on and then off a stone bench with all his strength.
    “Aaron…wait…I…” Merydith called, her voice almost feeble. Her calls were to no avail and she was still too lost in her own thoughts and fears.
    “Mery, what’s wrong?” Tobey asked.
    She shook her head, her white hat balancing atop her head, the blue ribbon wriggling in the breeze. “Nothing, I’m fine. Let’s eat.” She smiled as he joined her and they headed toward the gazebo.
    ###
    Simon emerged from behind the door to his workshop. A stream of green smoke sailed behind him and vanished in the air. He quickly slapped the doors behind him and secured them. Wiping his hands with a red and white handkerchief, he reached in his pocket to check his watch. Putting the watch away, he spotted Gladys and Marion chatting away in the front yard. He approached them. “Well, how are things going, Mother?”
    “As well as they can be expected, I guess,” she replied. “Would you go into town for me? I have a list here of the things we need at the market.”
    “I don’t see why not,” he answered as Gladys handed him a folded piece of paper.
    “How about taking the kids into town? It would be a refreshing change for them. Break up their day.”
    He pondered it for a moment, rolled his eyes, and then nodded. “Okay, but they best behave while we’re up there.”
    “Of course they will.