They walked through the park under cherry trees dripping with fluffy blooms Yellow daffodils poked through the green grass A robin pulled a worm from the earth And a gopher pushed its head out of its hole Maddy loved spring Everything felt fresh and new Finally they reached the end of the park That’s where the farmers market set up every Sunday Mom pulled scrunched-up shopping bags and a list from her purse Then she opened her wallet
Okay guys here’s five dollars She handed the bill to Drew That should be enough to buy two cheese rolls Bring me the change okay Thanks Mom Drew grabbed the bill and sprinted past the produce stands Maddy I’ll get you one Mom strode off to shop for veggies leaving Maddy to stroll on her own Maddy waved to a few neighbors but didn’t feel like stopping to talk She paused at the Lopez Farm stand They sold baby zucchini Her mom sometimes fried it in olive oil
At the Three Crows Ranch stand she skirted a line ten people-long They were waiting for strawberries One basket cost five dollars But most people thought they were worth it At Clover Valley’s booth a farmer stood holding a platter It had slices of avocado on toothpicks sprinkled with sea salt Free sample the farmer asked Maddy took one letting the buttery flesh melt in her mouth Makes great guacamole the farmer added
Maddy loved guacamole Suddenly she felt another pang in her stomach Hunger yes but mixed with something else too Panic If bees disappeared she realized then would these yummy foods disappear too Including guacamole She turned back to the farmer She’d better stock up Um can I have ten avocados Or maybe twenty I’ll be right back with money And she ran off to find her mom
