Chapter Fourteen: Fear
Hello again!
My first time at the dentist wasn't as scary as you implied and since I was being such a good girl I asked Daddy for some new toys.
Instead, he made plans with Mummy so that the three of us could spend our Easter holiday in Granite Falls! We rented the really expensive cabin and I got a room filled with toys and cuddly bunnies and cat décor.
Me and Daddy played horseshoes and he applauded me even when I couldn't hit the thingamajig.
Mummy's training up for her next mission. I can't believe she has to go away again just when I get her back! Her boss must be really evil.
I was too busy thinking of who else to blame that I missed the next rung of the monkey bar and fell down.
My poor baby. Why don't you give it a try later?I shook my head.
I'm scared.It's OK to be scared, do you know why? It just means you're one step closer to being brave. Let's have Daddy demonstrate.Mitch, honey, you're afraid of frogs, right?Daddy has a confused look on his face and then his mouth forms into an O.
Yeah, they're... really slimy?Argh!
Mitch, behave.Daddy brings out a frog with spots and leaf-like designs across it's back. A Spotted Leaf Frog. Looking at it up close, I can see just how delicate it looks and so pretty. Why would Daddy be scared of something that small and harmless?
A frogs tiny, there's other things out there.Mummy takes my hand and says we're going for a walk. We don't get very far when I start feeling tense and realise there's a bear right beside me!
Say hello to the lovely bear, Star.
Nnn!Hey there, little girl, would you like to join the Teddy Bear Picnic?
Mummy...You kids today are so ungrateful! Can't a guy have a break from running after snotty nosed brats when he's trying to live a life of peace?The air suddenly got cold and Mummy narrowed her eyes at the bear.
Star, can you see our cabin from here?
Yup.
OK, why don't you walk towards it? And if you hear strange noises don't look back, promise?I promised and slowly turned away from them. I wonder why she doesn't want me to look back?
I heard thumping and what sounded like a muffled 'oof!' and hurried towards the path leading home.
I was surprised to see my Great Granny was enjoying a break away from work to celebrate the holiday and I told her all about the bear and then we started talking about picnics and the bakery. Summer loves to cook but she's always at work and too tired when she gets back home. I hope she'll visit the bakery, we both enthused about our love of sweets and chocolate.
Uncle Mal! What are you doing here?
Uh... Shh, don't tell your parents but I invited Cassie and well... that's none of your business!What do you think Uncle Mal's scared of?
Lots of love,
Star K Chant.