The Last Time I Saw Alice

Alice lives in the hole in my brain. She pops out every now and then to remind me that once upon I time I believed in Once Upon a Time. She says 'Jump in. The water's fine!' But enough of that. I have to give her props every now and then so she doesn't go squirrely on me. That would not be good.

Prince Zander and Princess Tessa are great pals with Alice. She tells them secrets. She tells them where the treasure is. She whispers secrets.

Princess Tessa says "I don't need a coat." But Grandma makes her wear one.

Prince Zander says "I want to play with cars!" But the cars are in the house and Grandma won't go get them.

Alice keeps the memory of this day. It was chilly, but not too cold, to throw rocks in the lake. Prince Zander's fingers are red but he still wants to pick up snow. He might even have taken a few bites. Alice isn't talking about that.

It's a sunny afternoon. So nice to be outside and not hustling to get somewhere warmer. This is all before Princess Momer was dreamed. The bikes were ridden for a while but the lure of the water proved stronger than laps around the driveway.

I remember. I remember laughing and trying to keep them both out of the water and thinking what a great day.