Goodie Dreamer's Arc

Chapter 11 of 13

The starlit child danced among the tables, and laughter spread across the raft. But Goodie's eyes caught on a small shape near the rope. A quiet guest stood by a tucked-away quilted chair at the edge, gathering her shawl to slip away into the dark. Goodie moved fast. She set a shimmering hoop spinning above the boards and sent sugar-scented bubbles drifting through it. "Catch one," she called gently. The guest paused. She lifted a hand. A bubble landed soft in her palm and did not pop. Goodie crossed to her and pressed a sparkling sugar-spun heart into her fingers. It shimmered pink and blue. "Stay," Goodie whispered. "Please." The guest's shoulders eased. She tucked the charm close and let Goodie lead her back toward the warm circle of cups. The quiet guest sat among the others. She sipped tea and smiled at the fiddler's tune. Goodie stepped back, breath light. One almost-lost neighbour had stayed. Then Millicent touched her sleeve and pointed. The pink rope at the post was fraying faster now, thread by thread.