Memory Submission

Age 6: Winter Wander 
7th image: winter park scene

It was supposed to have been a treat. A special day out with his Dad while Mamma was stuck working nights.

And it had started that way. It really had! His Dad had taken him to a Winter Wonderland and Oscar had been having the time of his life!

He’d explored the fun house and had been allowed to go down the ice slide with his dad. He had won a new friend to keep Tuffy company while he was at school - a stuffed reindeer that he was pretty sure was called Buttons. They’d even gotten to explore the winter market where he had found a present for Mamma.

It had all been tons of fun and that was even before they got to the ice skating part. His Dad had booked them tickets and even though Oscar normally preferred his water unfrozen, and had fallen over several times, he had loved trying to learn from his Dad.

It was after they were done with the skating that things went downhill though.

Dad had been busy counting out money - the paper and small coins that he had learned to count in school, rather than the big shiny coins that he had seen his Nonni handle.

He had spoken about getting a hot chocolate each, one last treat before they headed home.

Oscar had been walking alongside him. Though to be honest he was paying more attention to making Buttons fly through the air like in the stories, than he was to his Dad or where he was going.

Maybe that was why, when a large crowd had rushed out of a big wooden building right as they were passing, Oscar (who had paused to perform a particularly impressive trick with Buttons) had gotten caught up in the crowd.

The crowd that did not seem to notice the six year old in their midst. The six year old that was too confused and shocked to speak up.

It was very unfortunate indeed that said crowd had made a beeline for an exit, apparently intent on reaching their next destination.

When Oscar finally untangled himself from the taller people and was able to look around, it was to find that he did not know where he was, nor could he spot the Wonderland through the trees.

Even worse.. He had dropped Buttons at some point.

“Buttons?” he called out, his voice wobbling slightly as he realised that he could not actually see anyone anymore - even the crowd that hadn’t noticed him had disappeared! “Dad?”

There was no reply. Oscar was alone and cold.

“Buttons?” he tried again as he attempted to find the reindeer. Other than his own voice, all he could hear was the crunch of snow under his boots.

And there was still no sign of Buttons. Just a blanket of cold white everywhere that made everything look the same - even the trees looked frozen!

He was so cold without all of the people from the Wonderland around. Tired too, from the long day out.

He just wanted to go home. He wanted his Dad and Mamma. And maybe Tuffy and some of Mamma’s special hot chocolate too.

As he grew increasingly upset, Oscar was scared that he would never see his Dad again. Was he going to be lost in the cold snow forever?

But then he couldn’t give Mamma her present!

Oscar sniffled and shuffled his way over to the base of a tree where the snow seemed to have melted. It really was so cold. He crouched down by the tree in an attempt to warm up, too tired to walk around any longer.

“Oscar!” he heard a shout an unknown amount of time later - it felt like forever to the child. The shout was quickly followed up by the fast crunch-crunch-crunch as someone ran over the snowy ground.

By the time Oscar’s head had risen from where it was hidden against his arms, he was being scooped up into a tight hug.

“Dad!” he cried as he buried his head against the man’s scarf, seeking the warmth and comfort that was a dad hug.. “You found me!”

“I’ll always find you, Oscar.” Dad swore as he attempted to squeeze his son to death, his face pressed into the green beanie that thankfully Oscar had not managed to lose. “Always, I promise.”

Oscar sniffled. Neither of them took any notice when the boy's snotty nose wiped against his Dad’s scarf. He was safe, that was all that mattered.

“C’mon, Kiddo,” Dad whispered as he stood up, Oscar still in his arms. He was already debating ways to prevent a repeat disappearing act. Maybe a set of bracelets charmed within an inch of their life to do.. something. He’d bring it up with his wife. “Let’s go home. Maybe Mamma saved us some chocolate there.”

“‘Kay,” he mumbled, feeling very close to sleep now that he was safe. He just had one very important thing to say first. “Dad? I don’t like the cold.”