Wonderland

The woman who lives on Wonderland Hill lost her mind. Legend said she’d been like that for years. Not even the elders remember her any differently. She was always young, beautiful, and crazy. 

“You really are getting more handsome…” the woman said, looking me up and down. “They must be putting something in the water down there.” Her sparkly ball gown caught the light whenever she moved. She rested her arm against the frame of the door. She was beautiful like the legend said. Her hair was the color of straw and her eyes were emeralds which were just as hard as the gem. 

“You look familiar. Have they sent you up here before?” she asked. 

“No, I think you’re thinking of my grandfather, Ernest.” 

The woman smiled and looked up at the sky. 

“Ah yes, Ernie. I was the first to call him that you know. He was such a lovely man. I assume he’s still alive?” 

“No, he died a year ago.” 

The woman bit her lip and shifted her gaze downward. 

“He was a good man. No one ever tells me these things, I would’ve loved to attend his funeral. Do you mind if I call you Ernie? In his memory?” 

“Call me what you like.” 

The woman smiled. Lipstick stained her teeth but yet somehow she still managed to be beautiful. 

“Well Ernie, welcome to Wonderland.”