Chapter 2
Hillary Lichten completed her dissertation on 'Alice in Wonderland'. But Alice and Wonderland were still very much alive in the Lichten home. Olivia ridiculed the story by Lewis Carrol. She stated more than once that it gave her the creeps.
"Wonderland is scary and confusing. Why would anyone want to end up there?" Phoebe slapped her.
"Phoebe!" Hillary crouched by the front porch steps, potting a plant.
"Sorry!" Phoebe was sincere.
Olivia scowled as she rubbed her inflicted arm. Both were sitting on the lawn plucking grass.
"I'm bored," Phoebe's long legs were sprawled out in front of her. She wore yellow pajama bottoms and black rain boots.
"You could help me."
"They're just going to die in two months. You're wasting your time."
Hillary rolled her eyes.
"Where's dad?" Olivia asked.
"Who knows? He never…." Hillary's voice shifted as she lifted a large bag of potting soil, "tells me."
"Were you fighting again?"
"What? You heard that?"
"I didn't say I did. So you were?"
"Don't worry about it, Phoebe—hey, why don't you and Olivia get dressed and we'll go get some lunch," Olivia jumped up and pranced to the door. "Oh, and put your pajama's in the hamper, not on the floor!"
Phoebe walked steadily, her father's old shirt sagging on her small frame. Hillary stopped what she was doing to watch her daughter's expression. Phoebe trudged up the steps and let the screen door slam behind her.
"I want Daddy." she grumbled.
Hillary took them to a small café. They sat by the very large window that overlooked the street. The waitress slouched with a clipboard press against her stomach.
"Coffee for me."
"Coffee, coffee, coffee—coffee."
"Phoebe?" Hillary waited for her to choose a beverage.
"Phoebe, Phoebe." she eyed her mother, her face flushed.
"Um, and two hot chocolates. Thank you."
"I don't want hot chocolate," Olivia was blunt.
"I'm sorry—we can change it," turning to Phoebe. "Are you okay, sweetie?"
Phoebe nodded. She began searching every face there. Were they looking at her? Did they hear her? She began squirming in her seat. She tapped her boot against the floor, preoccupied with everything but her meal.
"Phoebe?"
"I need to go to the bathroom. Is there a bathroom?" She stood and meandered around tables.
After pushing the door open, she shouted. The tiles were the size of building blocks. She tiptoed on each individually to the bathroom sink, which took at least nine minutes. Phoebe wet her hand and dabbed her face, meanwhile eyeing the soap. But she decided against washing her hands. It had almost not been a choice for her, like it had been in the past. She tiptoed back, another eight to ten minutes. Hillary was just about to go check on her before she appeared.
"You sure you're okay? We can leave now, if you want."
"I'm fine."
Just as they were finishing up, Phoebe watched the window. Hillary went to the counter to pay and she and Olivia stood by the door. Phoebe thought she saw a familiar face. It was a woman, and she passed the café, a black umbrella in her hand. The golden hair was braided round her head like a small wreath.
"Miss Dodger?"
"Who?" Olivia's eyebrows furrowed.
The bell rung by the door as Phoebe pushed it open. Hillary took a double glance.
"Wait—Phoebe!"
Meanwhile, Phoebe strode the sidewalk, her eyes on the golden head and black coat. But Miss Dodger began running.
"Wait! Miss Dodger! Wait!" her voice was coarse.
Phoebe crossed the street to the second block. She called out once more. Miss Dodger heard her, and paused beside a tea shop. The woman glanced at her wristwatch, and then back at Phoebe.
"Miss Dodger."
Miss Dodger squinted her eyes in contemplation.
"It's me—it's Phoebe."
"I know. I remember. Alice. Can I help you?"
It then struck her that she had absolutely no idea why she bolted after her.
"I—no. I just saw you—and."
"And wanted to see if it was actually me," she smiled. "Well, it is nice to see you are doing well. I'd love to chat with you, but I'm late for work."
"Work?"
"Yes, I work at the tea shop," she gestured her hand to the brick building.
"Oh—I'm sorry. I don't know why I—yes, nice to see you're doing well, too."
After a second smile, Miss Dodger stepped inside. The sky began to drizzle. By this time, Hillary was across the street hollering after her.