"A Day In The Park"
Macey Irving was excited. She would be spending the entire day with her dad's new "friend", Jenny Mills. Macey had spent Christmas with her Mom and her family. She asked to spend the second half of the holiday break with her Dad. That meant she would be spending New Year's Eve in her Dad's new town, Sleepy Hollow. Sleepy Hollow was a little too suburban for her tastes. The best thing about it was seeing her Dad and Jenny. Macey liked Jenny's honesty and cool personality.
Jenny's funny stories about growing up with Abbie made Macey wish she had a sister too. Although Jenny and her Dad steadfastly denied there was anything romantic between them, Macey could tell from the look in their eyes how they felt about each other. She wondered if there was something in the air in Sleepy Hollow that made people deny their feeling for each other. Macey noted how Jenny's sister and that cute British guy with the funny name, said they were just friends, but the looks they gave each other clearly said otherwise. Macey's Dad had become so overprotective since the car accident, it was amazing Jenny convinced him to let Macey spend the day with her.
"So", Jenny said, "I give you Sleepy Hollow Park in the Wintertime". Jenny waved her hand around as if presenting the park for Macey's approval. "You sure you don't want to go to a movie or bowling or something ,it would be a lot warmer, it's pretty cold out here".
"Hey" Macey returned, "I didn't know you couldn't take a little cold weather Jenny. My Mom says cold weather keeps you looking young."
"Oh she does huh, well how old do you think I am anyway?"
"Oh, I don't know," Macey joked "40?"
"You are skating on thin ice kid." Jenny smirked
"Only kidding Jenny", Macey explained, "but I really like the park in the Winter."
"Really? Why?" Jenny asked.
"The people" Macey said, "Everyone comes to the park in the Spring and Summer. The people who come in the Winter are more interesting. They take their time, feed the birds. There's a peaceful feeling in the park in the Winter you don't get any other time of the year."
"Well I never thought much about it", Jenny said, "but I guess you're right. The town does have some holiday activities planned this week though. There's an ice sculpture contest and ice skating over near the pond. The Sleepy Hollow Players are presenting free scenes from their annual production of A Christmas Carol. So, where to first?"
"Christmas Carol sounds good", Macey replied.
The Sleepy Hollow Players did a great job. Their accents and costumes were very believable. Jenny told Macey she would get tickets for that night's full performance if she and her Dad wanted to go. Macey gladly accepted.
"How bout some hot cider and a pretzel before we go over to the pond Macey?"
"Sounds good" Macey said.
On the way to the refreshment stand, they passed a rest room.
"Oh, I'd better pay my water bill" Jenny said
"What?" Macey asked.
"It's just an expression my mother used to say. It means I have to go to the bathroom."
"Oh, OK" Macey replied
"Do you need to go? Jenny seemed a bit concerned about leaving Macey alone while she went to use the restroom.
"No Jenny, hey, I'll be fine. It's broad daylight. You won't be taking that long will you? Go on and pay your water bill."
Jenny smiled a bit uneasily, "OK, I'll just be a few minutes. If you need me, just call."
Jenny had been gone for a few seconds when Macey noticed him. Funny, she hadn't seen him approach. He was staring at her. He was a very handsome young man about 16, maybe 17. "He must be one of the actors from the Christmas Carol play" she thought. He was dressed in very authentic looking old fashioned clothes. What really struck Macey was how piercingly blue his eyes were. It was like he could see right through her. There was something in his eyes that seemed like recognition, but how? She would definitely remember meeting someone who looked like him. Macey was not normally a girl who spoke to boys she didn't know, but there was something about this one - so she took the plunge. "Hey", she said, "were you in the Christmas Carol play, it was pretty good." "I'm probably going to see it tonight". He just stared at her curiously, but said nothing. "Anyway, I'm Macey."
"Hello Macey", he finally spoke. His accent sounded a little British, but different somehow. "Maybe he was trying to stay in character", Macey thought. He was just staring at her again until she said "So, I told you my name, now it's your turn." Macey was starting to get a little creeped out by this guy. It was a good thing she had Jenny on speed dial. "So - what's - your - name?" she enunciated each word slowly.
"Jeremy" he said with a smile, I have been looking for you.
To be continued? Let me know what you think. Thanks for reading and Bright Blessings in 2014.
