Olly and I went to check on the fairy house. Over the week there have been magical exchanges, like berries for fairies and gummy bears for her. The invisible creatures were clearly appreciative of the tables and stools, sun porch with a fern roof, acorn dishes, and floral embellishments. As a token of gratitude, they left packages of sweets wrapped in spider web cloth. (plastic wrap) Olly's eyes widened. It was really truly true. Fairies came in the night while she was asleep. 

After we spruced up their kitchen with fresh mugs and bouquets, we climbed back down the hill. I wondered if it would help or hurt to offer her a hand on the rock steps. I am kinda wobbly. 

"Bella, let's be outcasts!" Bella is her name for me. "We can pretend that we aren't allowed back in the house."

Being rejected is a familiar theme in fairy tales. Thankfully, ostracism is not part of Olly's experience. We could safely pretend. 

We explored the soft bed of pine needles, and listened to a symphony of birds. I found some used charcoal scraps and showed her how we could draw on the stones with it. But Olly likes to be clean and the time spent drawing was brief compared to minutes washing her hands with spit and rainwater. 

"Let's write a message to let us back in the house!" she suggested. We gathered twigs, which were plentiful on the forest floor. I helped her break them into smaller pieces, and she set them along the deck to spell our wish. I was impressed that at five years old she knows the difference between upper and lower case. We swiveled between the two options, according to our whim. Lower case l is convenient with one stick. Lower case e requires curves which are challenging. 

I was glad that Olly held no grudge against sticks. One had stabbed her the other day and left her bleeding. We looked at her bandage. I assured her that God is healing it when she isn't looking. He is sneaky that way. 

"I guess we will just wait out here until someone sees our message," Olly said. I wasn't sure how long that would take. We are some of the earlier risers in the family. I decided to improve our chances of rescue by sending a message to the group chat. Uncle Micah came nonchalantly through the door, and looked surprised to see us. He read our message in its entirety and welcomed us back inside. 

Which is a lovely feeling. Even for an outcast.