“Oh, wow,” said Sal. “We’ve been a commune for a full year.”
“Yep,” Luna said. “I bought the land a year ago yesterday.”
“We need to do a big celebration,” said Grace. “Do you think we could do something special this weekend?”
“I can make a big, fruity anniversary cake,” Nancy said.
“And we still have the stage,” Blue Sky said. “We could bring some of the bands back.”
“My faery friends have a camp not far from here,” Darren said. “The band Fae Whispers comes from there. I’m sure they’d be glad to come for our party.”
“They were great,” Cat said. “But they should definitely play last in the evening again. Otherwise they’ll put everyone to sleep before it’s time for bed.”
“I betcha I could get The Green Mountain Boys on short notice,” Ken said. “They’re also right around here.”
“I’m sure I could persuade my Sweet As Syrup friends to play as well,” Luna said. “Three bands would be plenty for our celebration.”
“Three bands and a gigantic cake,” Dan said. “Sounds great. What else do we need for an anniversary?”
“We’ve got to invite Ed and Ralph,” Marge said.
“And Peter and George and Fred,” added Viv.
“Can we invite the Troll and the Trollwork Team?” asked Dandelion.
“Of course,” Nancy said. “We should invite lots of folks. We should just make up a list and send out invitations.”
“I think we should have a small committee to work on the invites,” Strange Brew said. “I’m certainly up for being part of that.”
“Me, also,” said Broc.
“I’d like to help with designing the invitations,” Paul G said. “In fact, I’d be up for any job I can do sitting down.” He looked at the crutches next to his chair. “I’ll be so glad when I don’t need to use these anymore.”
“Okay, folks,” Sal said. “We got a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it. Let’s get going. We’re gonna really celebrate this weekend!”
*
Ed and Ralph arrived on Friday night. They spent most of the evening saying congratulations to everyone.
“Hey,” Luna said. “We wouldn’t have this place if it wasn’t for you two. This celebration is about the two of you as well.”
“Well, we certainly feel like we’re auxiliary members of the commune,” Ed said.
“In that case, we should be saying congratulations to you,” said Sal.
Just as folks were getting ready for bed, Amanda and Steve arrived.
“You didn’t think we’d miss this big occasion,” Amanda said.
“Hey, what have you folks been up to?” Nancy said.
Amanda giggled. “Ask Steve,” she said.
“We’ve got a little schoolbus now,” Steve said. “We’re traveling around the country in it--and we’ve got it to run on vegetable oil.”
“Wow, cool,” said Sowbug, who overheard the conversation.
Saturday morning was the morning of the mothers. Luna’s mother, Cat's mother, Ken’s mother, and even Blue Sky’s mother showed up.
“My mother wanted to come,” Dandelion said. “But she couldn’t make it.”
“Mine neither,” said Broc sadly. “She almost never leaves South America.”
The lawyer brigade, Peter, George, and Fred, arrived just before noon. The first band, Sweet as Syrup, showed up shortly after that. And just as they began to play, the Trollwork Team arrived with The Troll in tow.
“You’ve done so well with this commune,” Luna’s mother said to her. “I tried to bring your father but I think he’s permanently glued to the couch.”
Dandelion was dancing with Purslane, Sowbug was dancing with Sorrel, Thistle was dancing with Roly-poly, and Earthworm and Nematode were engaged in a long, intense conversation. Sal and Nancy were dancing, Ed and Ralph were dancing, Grace and Will were dancing, Steve and Amanda were dancing, Marge and Viv were dancing, Darren and Chuck were dancing, and Cat was dancing with Blue Sky. The Troll was just sitting back and watching the whole thing.
Paul G, still on crutches was having a conversation with Broc. The four mothers sat in a circle talking. Patsy kept trying to persuade Ken to dance with her. And Strange Brew seemed to be busy taking care of the chickens, the goats, and the cow.
Finally, Luna grabbed Dan. “This is all your fault,” she said. “If you hadn’t agreed to be in my commune and then left to find new members, I don’t think this commune would have really happened. The least you can do is dance with me.”
By the time The Green Mountain Boys showed up, things were in full swing. The two bands knew each other and just started jamming together. Finally the music stopped long enough to have Nancy’s giant cake brought out.
“Don’t worry,” Cat said. “There’s also lots of nutritious fruit for those that don’t want to eat cake.”
“I just want to say thank you to all of you,” Luna said. “This has been the best year of my life.”
“And, hey,” Dan said. “This is just the beginning.”
The two bands started up again just as the third band, Fae Whispers, showed up. And they brought a surprise guest.
“Don’t worry!” Stan said. “I’m not staying! Honest!”
