Plus One

IN THE PARK, tucked under a soaring maple tree, Walt sits alone at a picnic table. He’s waiting for his friends. And boy, is he ready for them. He’s decked out the table with a wild and wonderful collection of ice cream treats and toppings. Bowls of hot fudge, caramel, freshly whipped cream, cookie dough pieces, hand-rolled spiral cones, and more and more. At the end of the table is an old-fashioned hand-crank ice cream maker.

Walt bounces on the bench, anxious and excited to see his friends.

He spots them! “Over here!” Walt yells to Whitty and PB. He runs up to them and hugs them, and they hug him back. “Close your eyes, close your eyes! Don’t look!”