I got an unexpected visitor today.

A little girl with bright blue eyes and double buns approached me. She held her lollipop in front of her face for some time, just staring in my direction.

We stood eye-to-eye, just staring at each other blankly for a while.

I smiled. She offered her lollipop to me.

"No thank you," I said, gently. "I prefer unprocessed goods."

She gasped. "You can talk?!"

I nodded.

"Want to be friends?"

I felt a pang in my heart. She won't be able to see me in a few years. Everyone will tell her I was an imaginary friend. I hid my uncertainty from her. "I'm Dessie. What's your name?"

"Noel!" She grinned. "How come you were swimming in the pond? I saw you come from there."

I blushed. "I live there. I'm a goddess-in-training."

She stood agape. "Wooooow, I knew we had a guardian deity!" Those are some big words for a kid. She is well taken care of. She reached out to touch my hand. I didn't let her. She frowned, then pulled out another big smile. "Hey, can we make a promise?"

"A deal?"

"Yeah!"

What could this child want from me? A fortune?

"I'll bring you some produce from my Mama's store, and you have to let me give you a hug."

"That's all?"

"You look like you need a hug! Mama always gives me a hug when I feel sad."

I closed my eyes. "I'll agree to your conditions, Noel."

I started to look forward to seeing her again.