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“I’m not going back.”
Four elves stared at Smarti’s crossed arms as he glared back at them.
“Just because a giraffalope ruined your Lego cottage?” Nim asked incredulously.
Lil huffed. “You would abandon poor Eric during the holidays?”
Flaky sighed. “I figured this would happen.”
“Oh Smarti,” said Pepper. “Don’t give up! It’s one setback.”
“One setback? ONE setback!? Harold has done nothing but interfere since day 1!”
“Look,” said Nim. “I know they are a little…”.
“Overbearing? Nosy? A menace??”
“I was going to say eager,” said Nim. “But I really do think they are just trying to help.”
Lil nodded. “It’s almost as if they were sent to…assist.”
“More like sabotage,” grumbled Smarti.
“You should give it another night,” said Flaky. “We’re only at Day 9. Not even halfway through the season.”
The others nodded in agreement.
Smarti groaned. “Fine. One more night. Two at most. But if Harold doesn’t shape up, I’m leaving and going back to the elflings.”
Pepper cleared her throat. “So, what has everyone got planned for tonight? I’m doing another Christmas Craft. Lucile loved the snowmen donuts.”
“Green milk,” said Flaky.
“Gingerbread house,” said Nim.
“Veggie Santas,” added Smarti.
“Er,” Lil eyed Smarti sideways. “Guacamole! The girls are making tacos for dinner. Their mom LOVES guacamole. I thought I’d help.”
“Do you even know how to make guacamole, Lil?” Nim asked.
Lil shrugged. “How hard could it be? You just mash the avocado and add garlic and sugar, right?”
***
“Uh, Mildred? Wh-what have you done?”
When Lil landed on the kitchen counter, everything. Every. Single. Thing. Was covered in green. Avocado peels were littered over the countertops and floors and there was a big pasty green smear on the fridge handle. The walls looked as though Mildred had redecorated with green paint.
“Peeling avocado is a messy job, Lil. I thought I’d get started early to surprise you.”
Lil gaped. Mildred was covered from antler to hoof in avocado. “How? How did–how?”
“I tried all the different methods. Even found this fancy tool designed specifically for the job. But…it’s just a mess no matter how you go at them, so I figured…why not use this?” Mildred held up a big rubber mallet and gave Lil a big goofy smile.
“Oh Mildred, what are we going to do about all…this?” Lil gestured to the bits and pieces of avocado peels, pits, and parts scattered across the kitchen.
Mildred swiped at an avocado peel stuck to her antlers. “Oh don’t worry. I’m sure they will be way too excited about the tacos to notice the mess.”
Lil looked uncertainly at Mildred. Somehow, she didn’t think so.
The Book: “Do help with meal prep. Don’t redecorate the kitchen with the ingredients!”*
*Note, powdered sugar should never, EVER be put in guacamole.
a pinch of homestead 