Lexie Leeman was standing between her brother and $50, and he was not pleased about it.

“Lexie, be reasonable,” Colton said in his best older brother voice.  “Old Man Whitmore is going to pay me $50 to rake all this up, trim the tree and bag it.  Do you know how much Dad would pay me for this?”

“I don’t care.”  Lexie replied, crossing her arms and lifting the chin.  “You can go get leaves from any other tree.  Just not this tree.”  She stood protectively in front of the enormous oak, glaring up at her brother.

“Lexie, this one tree caused about a mile of leaves!” her brother snapped, losing his patience.  At 14, Colton had far more important things to do than argue with his 8 year old sister.  Especially when there was money involved and his birthday was seven months away.   And seven months was a long time to wait for certain things, like the newest video game system or a new skateboard.  “This tree is a freak!  You used to be scared of it, remember?  You wouldn’t climb it for the longest time.  Now you won’t let me take it’s leaves?”

“It needs them,” Lexie protested, avoiding her brother’s heated stare.  “Especially the acorns.”  She had been scared of the tree, that was true.  But that was before…

“You do understand I’m not going not going to pull the leaves off the branches, right?”  Colton’s cheeks were turning a bright pink, a sure sign he was about to blow.  “I’m simply going to get the leaves off the ground–the leaves the tree doesn’t want anymore–and rake them up and put them in a bag.”

“But they’re the most important ones!” Lexie implored, rushing over and flinging herself on a pile of red and gold leaves as if they might scurry away at any moment.  “The tree needs these the most!”

“And what would a tree need a bunch of dead leaves and old acorns for?” Colton said scornfully, leaning on his rake.

“For the Fall Frolic!” Lexie shouted.  As soon as the words left her lips, she clamped her hand over her mouth.  She wasn’t supposed to talk about that.  She had promised she wouldn’t say a word…

Luckily, her brother seemed too annoyed to notice.  Rolling his eyes,  he clutched his rake like a weapon and pointed it at her.  “I know what this is about,” he snarled, jabbing the rake to punctuate every word.  “You’ve been reading a bunch of fairy tales again with Mrs. Henry again, haven’t you?  I bet she told you this tree was magical or something.  That’s why you’re being so weird!”

“She didn’t tell me anything about the tree!” Lexie protested, crossing her fingers on one hand behind her back.  She wasn’t lying–technically.  Mrs. Henry hadn’t told her anything about the tree–just about who lived in the tree.

“Lexie,” Colton drew up and used his booming, most commanding big-brother voice.  “Go home right now or else you’ll be in serious trouble.”

Lexie stood, raising her chin and jamming her tiny hands on her hips.  “No.”

Colton hissed, throwing the rake on the ground.  “I’m going to get Mom and Dad.  You’ll be sorry.”

“Fine.  Go.”  Lexie glared at him, tucking her trembling chin into her shoulder so he wouldn’t see.  With a final huff of rage, her brother stormed down the street towards their house.

As soon as his figure faded into a shadow on the sidewalk, Lexie dropped to her knees and crawled to the base of the tree.  Brushing away a group of leaves, she knocked softly on the gnarled trunk.  A tiny door between two thick roots cracked open.  A tiny head poked out and peered up at her.  “Is it safe?”

“Yes.  He’s gone now.”  An excited thrill raced down Lexie’s spine as the tiny fairy crept out.  Her rich auburn hair was wrapped in curls of intricate tiny braids, making it look like she was wearing a crown.  Her golden eyes gleamed as she beat her leaf-like golden and red wings, her rich mahongony dress fluttering around her knees.

“Good.   We have much to prepare for!  The Fall Frolic is tomorrow night!”  The fairy landed on Lexie’s shoulder, crossing her legs.

“Is it really going to be how you described?”  Lexie stared at the leaves, visions dancing in her head as she tried to imagine it.  “Fairies and trolls dancing with elves and other magical beings under a canopy of leaves?”

“With all sorts of feasts and games and leaf jumping!  Oh, it’ll be such fun!”  Concern flickered in the fairies’ eyes.  “You’re coming, aren’t you?”

Lexie nodded.  “I told my mom I’ll be spending the night at Stephanie’s house, and she told her mom she was spending the night at mine.  Then we’ll come here.”

The fall fairy frowned.  “Normally, I don’t approve of deceit, but the Fall Frolic is not to be missed…”  As Lexie squirmed, she grinned.  “Did Mrs. Henry finish your gown?  She used to love coming.”

“Almost.”  Lexie glowed, her smile fading before she glanced down the street.  “He may be back soon.  I don’t know how much time we have.  My brother’s really stubborn.”

“Then we must hurry.  Shall we?”  The fairy held out her hand, and Lexie touched her pinkie to it.  Together, they leapt into a pile of gold and red leaves.

And together, they disappeared into a magical world of wonder.   All under Old Man Whitmore’s tall oak tree under a pile of simple leaves.

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends!  We have more whimsical fun, stories and recipes coming up!

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