After a light hearted chiding from her lover, she took a moment to soak in the last bit of warm comfort with a long stretch and some lazy rolling about. Really, did he expect early sleep and an early morning after so long a separation? Ending the stretching session with a sigh she took an armful of covers and hugged them, toes wiggling with delight at their escape together, thrilled to be in their own blossoming world again.

Quickly sharing in their morning rituals, as comfortable as though they'd spent a life time together, they were soon ready to face the world. Reaching the front porch she donned her favorite hat. Its wide black brim was just over the top enough to be stylishly whimsical, and she was fully enamored with it. Like a costume piece, it set the internal stage for a midsummer's dream.

Already behind schedule before the first step had been taken, which felt perfectly natural for her, they strolled out the door hand in hand to a quaint beach town eatery. It was a comfortable place located in an old house, understandably packed even during the off season. A hand written sign inside the door told patrons to seat themselves at a clean table. It took wandering onto the patio to find a place that wasn't cluttered in used dishes and cups, where a picnic table awaited. She admired the comfortable weight and thick handle of the sturdy coffee mug, eager for her first boost of caffeine. Opening a little grape jelly packet to lap away at until her meal arrived, she silently smiled at him, contented at being able to start a day together. The first day was always uniquely delightful, they both sparkled and radiating from the delight of reunion.

Their waitress was a thin older woman with short hair and skin wrinkled by years of living in sunny climes. She was the sort of woman you expected to find in a diner or truck stop: pleasant, forward, no formal manners. Between refilling drinks and fetching trays, she stamped her feet and yelled "Git, Git!" at the birds that came fluttering down to clean the wooden deck of crumbs. She ordered eggs over-easy and got them scrambled, and asked for orange juice that never came. His meal arrived in perfect order, which was just as well, he had a greater appreciation for order. Most people are maddened by that sort of service, but she secretly love it. The friendly disorderliness and good cheap meals felt as comfortable as home. She could kick off her shoes and curl her feet under her, eat with her fingers without attracting attention, or lap away at a jam packet.

Bellies full they took the slow walk towards the car, ready to leave. Good byes had already been made to the quiet shell covered beach the day before. With sand seeping between toes and warm waters kissing their farewell, she was reminded of the same natural embrace alone on a beach far away. It felt better with familiar fingers wrapped around her hand. The touch of sadness was easy to leave behind, knowing they were literally taking their next steps together.

"Goodbye little lizard," she whispered internally as one scattered by launching itself into a bush. Though the sun was already thickening the air with heat, a breeze came dancing through, nearly taking her lovely hat away with it.

"The weather will be just like this, without the breeze," he warned with an ironic smile.

The first leg of their journey provided little visual stimulation. Bushes, unkept patches of grass and scattered trees. She scanned the horizon looking for something that might catch her attention.

"Wait, I see a... no... no... just more scruffy bushes."

She turned her attention to memories of princesses, witches and animals blazing with character. The beautiful drawings made her want to sit in a room with blank paper for hours, remembering how she loved carefully redrawing her favorite characters. Endless afternoons spent repeatedly immersing in the cartoon antics until her parents could take no more, was punctuated by hours of playing their games in the theater of her mind as she redrew them. Recreating each line felt like a connection to the creators, she wanted to understand the feel of their curves, the physical emotion in the movements that created their structure. "Goofy!" She declared, "He's my favorite. If I see him, I'm going to tackle hug him." Meditating on the buoyant absent mindedness was particularly well suited to the long curves of drawing him in predicaments. She wanted to kiss his oversized fuzzy muzzle.

"I'm not sure how it'll affect your experience, but I think it's more likely to be women in the costumes," he mused.

"Mmmmmm, even better," the giggled reply.

Between long periods of daydreaming and blankly watching the world float by the first signs of the Magic Kingdom came into view - ostentatious billboards! She squealed with delight, clutching his arm as he cooed along. The car was parked in the Goofy section, which they took as a most excellent good omen. Jumping the train that would take them to the front gates, she easedropped on all the excited children. It wasn't easy becoming accustom to the grand scale of all things American.

After entering the gate they boarded the ferry boat towards Cinderella's pink castle. Energetic children giggled and fussed about, thrilled to have their dream coming true. She wished those tales were still real for her, remembering how dazzling it was to believe in things so grand and beautiful. Pretending she did was almost as pleasing, so a Disney movie rarely went unwatched, suspension of disbelief being a relaxing mental massage.

"Everyone's got a child," he observed, unspoken words ending in a grin. A mischievous urge to give into taboo play sizzled and she fought to suppress it, but he caught the devil's smile make a brief appearance.

Finally the gates to the Magic Kingdom were ahead. After a quick digital fingerprinting, which they found highly unusual and somewhat unsettling, the wonderful world of Disney was sprawled out in all its animated splendor! The air wafted by, syruped in the smell of coconut sunscreen and processed sugar. Children ran down the main street, dragging parents into stores, already spending their money before the first ride had come into sight.

Glowing like a pixie dusted pumpkin, she was thrilled to revisit the innocent joys and wonderment of childhood with a lover who abandoned himself to her fanciful diversions with enthusiasm! Her eyes rolled over the ornate buildings and endless window displays of main street, wondering what their first adventure would be.

"Our first step has to be a trip on 'It's A Small World After All,'" he carefully explained. She smiled, pleased he always had a plan. Taking her by the hand and they weaved through the crowd. The ride attendent gave an amused smile to the odd pair as they cheerfully joined the long line.

Her eyes traveled over the cut-out towers, dazzelious gold lighting up domes framed by geometric designs. The playful lines gave her eyes something to trace, a giant smiling clock nodding in approval. "Sparklies," her internal voice gurgled with pleasure. She privately simmered in her child-like glee.

"You'll notice no matter how long you wait, they always keep you moving," he piped in as they were ushered periodically down the winding slope. Finally reaching the famed little river, they climbed into the boat. "Front row seats, oh boy!" he chirped. She clutched his arm and bounced excitedly in her seat as they slowly lunged forward along the tracks.

The ride opperator watched from above, giving a broad smile and cheerful wave. "What a miserable job," she commented, "Having to force that smile and sugary pleasantness, day in and day out." He nodded a sympathetic agreement as they disappeared into the dark tunnel.

Immediately, recorded angelic voices of children began caroling, "It's a small world afterall, It's a small world afterall," more young voices belting along behind them in out-of-tune excitement.

What a pleasant suprise it was to be greeted first by the familiar white lace blouses and flowered long skirts of her eastern european roots! Puttering along she examined the make up of the set pieces, and the cloned faces of the animatronics that sang the mindless chant. Past Europe's can-can girls and Asia's ornimental women, into Africa's jungles, through rain forests, past murmaides, genies and brides they sedatidley chugged along.

Passing over 400 little robots she decided the animals had more character, and peered through the kolidascope of activity seeking the scattered creatures. In the midst of the little game of eye-spy she found the repeating song echoing inside her head. "It's a small world after all."

"Great, the song has taken nest in my mind," she quietly grumbled with furrowed eyebrows. He smiled at her, amused, kissing her forehead smooth.

Disembarking they made their way back into the heat of the day. "Well my dear, now you've experienced a classic. One less thing you have to do in life." She clutched at his hand, delighted as much by his urge to lead her on a journey of experiences as she was by the adventures themselves.

Next was something similar and yet very different, Pirates of the Caribbean. Carefully picking their way past sugar-high children scattering to and fore, they joined yet another long winding line up. This time littered with little tableaus along the path to keep children amused and distract adults from the passage of time.

"I'd have to say it was the hippo I loved most after seeing Disney's view of the entire world." The big glowing eyes, flicking ears and feathered companion had tickled her fancy quite a bit. The mamoth snorting animals seemed particularly quarky, if intelligent design were a reality the creator had a sense of humour and charming asthetic. "Yes," she mused to herself, "they make wonderful ballerinas."

After the long stop and go traffic, moving passed men digging for treasure, skeletons, canons and pits, the end of the line came into view. "Don't get your hopes up. They make you go through that maze and then give you a peek at the end of the line just to get your hopes up." His finger traced the path of the line up, winding in a circular fashion.

And so they took a few steps and waited. Another little trot forward and more waiting. Turn a corner. Wait. Cross a bridge. Wait. Wait. Wait.

"It's a small world after....Damnit!"

From world peace to "Dead Men Tell No Tails!" From the perfect innocent children of the world to ghostly faces in water, drunk men sleeping in pig slop, women chasing men with rolling pins, buildings on fire and madames auctioning wives. This chaotic scene of amusing human flaw suited her better. These animatronic robots were quite a different piece of work as well, their movements at times incerdibly lifelike with eyes that glistened in the dark ambiance of the canal. She wanted to slice their faces open and see their metalic muscles.

Back into the heat of day, the next stop was her choice. "Terror Mountain!" They were due for a roller coaster. The two hour wait posted above the entrance encouraged the couple to study the "Fast Track" machines. Inserting their tickets into the little silver box, it spat out an additional ticket announcing they could return in an hour to get on the ride. Past burger joints and over priced franchises they found themselves at Liberty Square dining at the Liberty Tree.

Sitting at the wooden table, surrounded by the theatrical attempt at Colonial America, she tried to suppress a smile. How darling that the gentle spirit in her nature hermit lover would be attracted to a rustic atmosphere even in the most manufactured of places. Waitresses scuttled about in their white bonnets, surving simple meals that immitated hearty dishes of roast turkey, mash potatoes, cornbread, and apple pie. Mulling over memories of apple pie baking experiments they shared, she waited for the food to arrive, knowing the moment he would put the fork in his mouth a look disappointed would wash over his face.

"And there it is," she murmered affectionately in her mind.

They picked through their somewhat bland meals looking to pass the time.

"It's a small world after all," she paused and frowned at her pasta.

"Amazing system, this 'Fast Track' concept," she tought aloud, seeking a new track for her thoughts,"They can log each person in the park, and shuffle the traffic through the rides to keep wait times down. Too bad they won't let you Fast Track more then one at a time. If the database can access that you've already signed up for one ride to reject you, then it should be able to calculate a reasonable time for you to climb onto the next one. With long enough pauses in between it forces you to do things like shop and eat so you spend a whole day here."

"They could keep track of what rides you like to go on. On your next visit you could get an itinerary," he mused.

"Oh he does love order," she giggled, her hand reaching over to stroke his arm, needing to satiate a sudden urge to kiss him.

Making their way back outside, she was suprised to see the street had changed so quickly. Rope herded the crowd to the sides making way for what she expected was the daily marching band. She wondered if a Disney employee had ever committed suicide.

They moved passed the main streets of Liberty Square to the boardwalk skirting Tom Sawyer Island toward Terror Mountain. Taking the pathway set aside for Fast Track users, they quickly skirted passed the long lineup of visitors intent on waiting the time out. Boarding the "U.B. Bold" train, she noted it was a ride that felt as old and rickety as the mines the scenery emulated. They rumbled past rocks and rushed through tunnels. The speed, turns and falls were elementary, but the thrill was meant to be of a whole different nature. The shaking structure and loose bars gave no sense of security, even on the mildest of drops. Any sudden change in direction and she'd lift off her sit, or slide into the sides, practically flying through the air. She half expected children to fly out of their seats like freshly heated popcorn kernals. Despite years of flesh thickening coaster riding, her hands instinctively reach for him, the only thing that felt secure in that precarious box.

Past quarreling children coming down off sugar rushes, and frustrated parents panting under heat exhaustion and the weight of their children's luggage. Even for them the place was loosing its whimsy and she began to regard is as the naval of hell that was reality. Still they had one last stop and made their way towards another famed classic: The Mad Tea Party.

In honour of every unbirthday party she had ever thrown, and every white rabbit she had chased, they would have to visit the dizzying tea cup! This line was long, but quick. Sprinkled about were little girls in blue and yellow princess dresses, wearing too much makeup and sporting identical hair styles. Sashes sat across their bodies reading: Little Princess Boutique. Stepford wives in training.

"It's a small world - stop it!"

The ride attendant counted out heads, ushering them into the pen, attributing children to the couple that weren't theirs. The moment it was ready for loading, everyone dashed for a teacup like hungry dogs after a meal.

Seated, gears bucked into motion and soon everyone was whirling. They looked across each other, smiles acknowledging an unspoken agreement: make it spin as fast as possible. They turned the wheel between them with as much speed as it would allow, and soon the world was a blur around them. She focused carefully on him, the only steady object in her line of sight. Sensing a bland meal would taste equally as terrible coming up, she let go of the wheel and they both sat back, enjoying the slight breeze.

"Leave?" he asked when the mouse announced the ride's end. She nodded in agreement. Steading her equilibrium as they strode back into the amusement park, they sought the way out, this time opting for the speed of the monorail.

The exiting crowed was politely shuffled along, from one platform, to another line, to the train that would bring them to their car. "Feels a bit like a herd of sheep doesn't it? Takes all the spontaneityy out of going to an amusement park," he mused.

"Spontaneity?" she chuckled, "You want an itinerary when you arrive."

Soon they were back on the highway, watching a monstrous amount of nothing pass by.

"It's a small world after - Bastards! What demonic subconscious message is Disney programming me with."

Fidgeting in her seat she reached for the radio. Station after station played corporation approved music, with long periods of commercials breaks in between. Kill poison with poison. Listening, till the mind numbed and she could take no more, the radio was turned off and pleasant silence restored.

"The song out of your head now?" he knowingly smiled at her.

"Don't even say the title, it'll creep back like a dormant disease."

The scruffy bushes had been gradually replaced with sturdy trees lining the road. Soon they were turning into the old city, along streets that had been traveled since the 1500's. The beautiful Spanish colonial architecture and peaceful atmosphere gave no indication that a history of blood had been witnessed by the giant trees.

Putting bags down in their room, they climbed into the shower together and were surpised to see it was a shower made for two. They nearly always bathed together, sharing the same shower head. Here they had two, one on each opposing wall of the spacious stall. Still, as she let the water run down her face, he began to tenderly wash her back, his soapy fingers soothing after a long hot day.

After toweling each other off they slipped into evening wear and made their way down to the hotel restaurant, both too relaxed after their shower to exert energy in finding and going to a restaurant. Seated in a back room, near a tiny decorative fountain, she was pleased that they were nearly alone.

He opened up the menu, and smiled immediately. "Have you ever seen the movie Fried Green Tomatoes?"

"No, why do you ask?" distracted from the menu by names on little plaques on a large decorative wine rack covering the entire back wall, indicating reserved bottles.

"They have it on the menu."

"I must have it! I've heard about it a million times over but haven't seen it on a menu."

"I knew you'd enjoy that! You really should see the movie."

They ate their first pleasurable meal of the day in near silence, enjoying the bursting flavours after a day of common fare. Leaning back in her chair, cupping her third glass of wine between two hands, she sipped the red liquid, letting it travel across the landscape of her tongue, noting the different flavours on each set of taste buds.

"You're beautiful," he whispered across the table. Surpised she looked up, to see his hazy eyes twinkling with a new sort of loving glow. Smiling, her eyes fell to her glass, completely lost for words.

By the time they finished their meal and made their way back to the room, both were lightened with intoxication. Arm in arm, they stumbled down the hall, giggling at themselves. The moment the door closed behind them, their mouths found each other, hands peeled away clothes, falling into hungry embraces. Clear minds gave into love without thinking, as leaves dance recklessly with the wind. Rising and falling, until taken by the little death, and then by the peaceful death of sleep, arms still locked in embrace.