“Peter, Peter, wake up.” He could hear Papa’s voice in the distance. “Peter, it’s time to go home.”
“I know,” he said, opening his eyes.
Papa was standing above him, his glasses nearly falling off the tip of his nose. Peter shot straight up and looked around the room for Lina.
“Where is Lina?” Peter questioned.
“What?”
“Lina, have you seen her Papa?” Peter pressed.
“Oh sure, I saw your friend earlier today. Such a nice girl. She is probably at home having dinner with her family. How are you feeling? Any better?”
“What are you talking about, Papa?”
“Oh dear, we really should get you home. I thought a nice long sleep would take care of all those sweets you ate today.”
Peter felt especially guilty and he was sure it showed on his face.
“I may be an old man, Peter, but I know you snuck all those sweets you shouldn’t have. Sweets are best in moderation,” he said. “I believe you have learned that lesson.”
“I’m sorry,” Peter admitted. “Sorry for sneaking candy I shouldn’t have.”
“Never mind that. Let’s get you home.”
“Home,” Peter repeated. His mind focused back to his wondrous adventure. “I wonder if Lina made it home,” he said aloud.
Papa looked at him strangely, “Of course she did, Peter.”
“Papa, I looked for you earlier when I woke up and I couldn’t find you anywhere. The lights were all out, the store was closed, and I didn’t call home because I didn’t want you to get in trouble.”
“What are you talking about, Peter? I have been here all day. I closed the shop early so I could take you home now.”
Peter looked at his watch. It read 4:42 p.m. “But it was 5:42 p.m. earlier, and there was this package—it was left on the table.” Peter searched around for it, looking under the table. “It said ‘Special Delivery’ on it, and it swallowed me whole.”
“Oh dear, I should have taken you home earlier.”
“No, Papa, I feel fine. Ask Nana; she will know what I am talking about. She has been to Maple Town and seen the Candonites,” Peter rambled.
“Nonsense, Peter, your Nana never mentioned any Candonites to me. You have been right here sleeping for quite some time. Let’s get you home and straight to bed to sleep this off.” Papa was adamant.
Peter was stupefied. He thought, Could it have all been an extremely vivid dream? No, it was real…wasn’t it?
No such luck. When Papa dropped him off and told his parents what had happened, they sent Peter straight to bed. No talking to Nana and definitely no calling Lina.
Peter’s father partially closed the door to his bedroom and popped his head in to say, “I know you had an interesting day, son, but try to get some rest. We love you.”
They did love him, and they would listen to him if they believed a word he was saying. But it sure did seem real, every second of it.
Peter awoke the next morning feeling rejuvenated. He convinced his parents he was feeling well enough to go to school. They had no doubts when he was standing by the front door ten minutes earlier than normal, holding his lunch bag in one hand and backpack in the other. He was eager to get to school.
Peter waited around for Lina outside in the school yard. She was usually at school by now. He knew she couldn’t be late to class again or she would have to stay in at recess, and he definitely did not want her to have to do that. He watched his watch count down the minutes until the first school bell rang. The students started swarming into the school, he hesitated and then joined them, looking for Lina the whole time. The second school bell rang. He was nearly to his class.
A tap on the shoulder grabbed his attention…Lina!
She took his hand and shoved something small into it. “I have to get to class!” she said frantically. He watched her rush past him, run-walking toward her own class. He was left standing in front of his. Peter opened his hand. Directly in the center of it was a piece of candy. Not any old piece of candy, but a wonderful piece of peppermint candy, complete with glued-on paper ears and tail, fishing wire whiskers, and, drawn on with permanent marker, bright blue eyes!
The final school bell rang.