"Miz Christy would you like to join us?" I had been staring at the chipped writing boards for what had felt like two hours, though in actuality not even half of an hour had past when I heard the quiet voice of Mountie O'Toole from the doorway. I look up with a smile stretching my lips to her sparkling eyes to discover she is not alone, a few of my other pupils are waiting by her side.
"Well that depends on what you are doing."
"We're going to go on a picnic. A pretend one." Creed Allen at this point took over speaking for the group, I noticed the enthusiasm in his voice faltered ever so at the last part. Of course for them it would have to be fake in a society in which we are where food is difficult to find, earned by sweat and endless work and where wasting it for a child's picnic would be completely unacceptable and a waste of resources. The idea of offering to provide the food, a few snacks, a couple apples perhaps crossed my mind, still I knew better though, they would refuse to accept and feel hurt at the offer of what is considered charity.
"Great! Pretend picnics are the best. When do we leave?"
"Right now Miz Christy!" Taking a moment to clear off the desk being hurried by their soft cheers and begging to hurry up to start the fun, start the escape from the harsh realities of life already staining their young faces and souls. Once done I stand, rubbing out the caress in my skirt, walk towards them and have my hands grasped by Mountie on one side and Lu Lu on the other and together with the a small group circling us we make our way across the field, into the woods laughing, talking all the while. I lift my head to the sky noticing the placement of the sun, instantly knowing it's nearly six.
"Hey guys it's getting late why don't we stop here?" I point to a clearing from the trees by a shallow and quiet flowing brook. The children agree by rushing ahead and spreading out a quilt undoubtedly created by one of their mother's onto the grass, and all of them plopped down, their giggling never seizing.
"Ok who wants sweat potato salad?" I approach holding my hands out as if holding a large bowl, stirring the contents; I try not laugh as they nod heads and hold up their plates and say thanks while a scoop out onto each one.
"Miz Christy I have some turkey care for some?"
"That would be lovely Little Burl just lovely." I lean back watching them, feeling a tear tickle my eye, despite their hardships, the feuds, the conditions to most which would be completely unlivable they have no fear, no worry and find the game of a pretend picnic the most trilling thing. Absolutely beautiful and pure the mind of a child is.