beatrix bobbit and the holidays maze

Beatrix Bobbit's Witch Hat blew off her head, revealing a striped red beanie below. She was working at the Holidays Maze, Mr. Bobbit's latest endeavor. After what happened with the pumpkins, no one was particularly eager to allow a maze. What if the maze trapped their patrons within? But Mr. Bobbit had grunted assurances that nothing would go awry, and so here they all were.

Beatrix had lost track of Sybil nearly an hour ago. They parted ways at the Cider Booth with plans to meet before the Holidays Maze Grand Finale. Sybil left for a Reindeer Dance performance on the North Pole Central Stage, while Beatrix was off in search of wayward maze goers to help them find their way.

"I thought it was a u-turn at the gingerbread hedge..." Beatrix mumbled, spinning around as she looked for her Witch Hat.

"No, it was a right at the gingerbread, followed by an immediate left," a voice said.

Beatrix snatched her Witch Hat from the wind and held her wand aloft, "Who's there?"

A very gangly black haired boy appeared from behind a giant pumpkin covered in twinkle lights. "Callum of the Holidays Maze, here." Callum walked crookedly over towards Beatrix in too long corduroy pants that covered his feet.

Beatrix blinked, but said nothing.

"I'm only joking, my name is Callum though. And you're Beatrix. I live down the street, Mrs. Bobbit gives me piano lessons every other week."

"My mom gives piano lessons?" Beatrix asked. Mrs. Bobbit had never mentioned such a thing, though, Beatrix had never asked. Whenever Mrs. Bobbit left the house, the remaining Bobbits shouted requests for various items they needed or wanted from the store.

No one had known Mrs. Bobbit went elsewhere!

"She's amazing, she talks about you and your sister a lot. I wanted to come meet you, and the maze seemed like a perfect opportunity to stage such a meeting."

"Um, rright. Are you lost or...?"

"No, I found just what I was looking for. Come with me," Callum shouted before hoisting up his pants and taking off at a galloping pace.

Beatrix looked longingly back towards where she thought the Cider Booth was before following Callum through the winding paths lined with Christmas trees, inflatable animals and thousands of string lights.

"Where are we going?" Beatrix shouted.

"Keep up!" was all Callum replied in the wind.

They passed Mrs. Bobbit's game of Musical Mittens. "Beatrix, dear, you need mittens!" Mrs. Bobbit shouted before tossing, rather adeptly, a green pair at her. "You too, Callum, dear!" Mrs. Bobbit bunched up a pair of brown mittens and launched them like a football at Callum who turned and grinned before catching them.

"Thanks, Mrs. B!" Callum didn't let up a moment before taking off again.

"Mrs. B?" Beatrix whispered to herself.

After zig zagging down Pine Cone Lane, they spotted Mr. Bobbit roasting marshmallows over a white birch tree fire. The marshmallows were being half-eaten and half-used to assemble gingerbread houses. Even Penny had a small twig stuffed with marshmallows.

"BEATRIX, GOOD. CAN YOU HELP PENNY TAKE THE MARSHMALLOWS OFF HER STI--" Mr. Bobbit shouted.

Beatrix came to an abrupt halt, swapped Penny's marshmallow twig for a fresh one, and then took off once more.

"Faster! Hurry!" Callum's voice carried to her ears.

With the dizzying amount of twinkle lights and icy wind, Beatrix found herself quite enjoying the moment. She closed her eyes and lifted her arms wide, before colliding with Callum. They both tumbled to the ground in a pile of glitter.

"Oops, sorry," Beatrix giggled as puffs of glitter rained down on them, coating their faces and clothes.

"It's more festive this way. We're here!"

"Where exactly is here?" Beatrix asked, looking around at their surroundings. Thick pine needles covered the ground which was illuminated by rows of twinkle lights. A misshapen tree stood at the entrance to a long rectangular space lined with bushes carved into various reindeer. Under the tree was a beautiful broomstick with a smooth chestnut handle inlayed with bright blue and purple stones. The bristles were pure white, as if dusted by snow. A red bow was tied perfectly at the top of the handle.

"Mrs. B says you lost yours, and I'm kinda handy so I thought maybe...do you like it?" Callum was holding up his too large pants with one hand, and brushing glitter out of his eyes with the other.

"You made this? For me? But you've never met me."

Callum shrugged, which sent the glitter flying once more. "I hoped we could be friends. If you want. Since we live so close together and we're both homeschooled."

"You're homeschooled too?" Beatrix said before she got a grip on her excitement. "Sorry, I'll stop repeating everything you say. I'd love to be friends."

Callum grinned, "Good then, as my friend, maybe you can teach me how to ride a broomstick."

Beatrix looked once more to where her beautiful broomstick was propped, and noticed a much plainer one behind it. The wind swirled suddenly around them, sending a mixture of pine needles and silver glitter flying.

Beatrix licked her finger and held it out with a serious look on her face, "Well all you need is a good wind. How prone are you to bruising? Broken bones?"

Callum flinched before regaining his composure. "Mildly to both. Can we fly to the Cider Booth?"

Beatrix squinted at this thoughtful, strange boy. Glitter was stuck in her eyelashes, dotting her vision with sparkles. "Ride with me to the Cider Booth, then we'll find the Marshmallow Pit to practice."

Callum seemed poised to argue, before grabbing both of the broomsticks, and handing Beatrix hers. She ran her hands down the handle, admiring the beautiful stones within. "How about a compromise. You can ride your own broomstick, but you must hold onto mine until we get to the Marshmallow Pit."

"Deal!" Callum leapt up and swung his leg enthusiastically over his broomstick. Beatrix did the same, and instructed Callum to grab hold of the back of her broomstick.

On the count of one, two, three...

Beatrix gently pushed off the ground; Callum was with her, gripping the back of her broom with his long fingers. Once they flew several feet into the air, Beatrix asked, "Ready?" before they shot off in search of the Cider Booth.

At first, the only sound was the wind in their ears. Then, "WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I'M FLYING WOOOOOOOO!"

That was from Callum. Beatrix nearly chided him to calm down, but when she snuck a glance back, Callum's face was plastered with the most glittery and gleeful expression. Beatrix softened, remembering her desperate longing to learn broomstick flying. And the many times she'd failed while Broomstick Betsy had encouraged her.

As if summonsed, a broomstick covered in red bows zipped past them, then did several loops before coming to a steady hover. Donning a red and black tartan hat and aviators with antlers on the sides was Broomstick Betsy.

"Hello, Beatrix! Teaching a friend the art of broomstick flying I see. How wondrous!"

Beatrix laughed after seeing Callum's wide open mouth. "I was just remembering all your help while I learned. Thought I should pass it along for the holidays. What are you doing here??"

"I've come to carol with your mom for the Holidays Maze Grand Finale, do you know where she is?"

"We're all supposed to meet at the Cider Booth."

"Excellent! Onward then!"

Broomstick Betsy took off with Beatrix at her side, and Callum trailing just behind. When they spotted the hastily painted red Cider Booth, they dipped below the tallest trees in the maze to touchdown.

"Thanks goodness, Broomstick Betsy, dear! You're here!" Mrs. Bobbit tottered over in pointed elf shoes. "Do you need any cider to warm your vocal cords?"

Broomstick Betsy couldn't answer before Sybil had pranced over with a steaming snowflake mug.

"Do you think we should practice it again?" Mr. Bobbit was attaching antlers to Penny's twitching ears. "Penny could fall if the timing is off."

"Jack, dear, it'll be fine. Callum, are you ready to play, dear?"

Callum leapt forward with a toothy grin. "You bet, Mrs. B." He stretched his fingers, flashed Beatrix a timid smile, then followed Mrs. Bobbit, Broomstick Betsy, Mr. Bobbit and Penny to the wood slatted platform stage.

Beatrix and Sybil walked behind. But when they arrived, the fold out chairs were filled with neighbors and friends sipping from steaming mugs. Beatrix's Witch Camp friends and their parents. Sybil's dance friends and teachers. Everyone from their street was here. It seemed like the pumpkin disaster hadn't been a deterrent, but a draw.

The Bobbits along with Callum and Broomstick Betsy climbed the platform and took their positions. Callum sat behind a tiny keyboard. Sybil stood completely still on her big toes for the dance. Mrs. Bobbit and Broomstick Betsy huddled together with sheets of lyrics. And, Mr. Bobbit now donned a Santa Suit, with a reindeer Penny nestled in his arms.

Beatrix stood behind the stage, with her wand extended, ready to conduct. After some shushing from Mrs. Bobbit, Callum began playing on the keyboard. Mrs. Bobbit and Broomstick Betsy began singing while Sybil danced and Mr. Bobbit tried to show Reindeer Penny how to fly. Right on time, Beatrix used her wand to lift Penny into the air, sending her soaring across the stage while Mr. Bobbit followed along with arms outstretched. When Sybil hit her final leap and Broomstick Betsy and Mrs. Bobbit their final note, Callum's keyboard melody faded and Penny drifted lazily into Mr. Bobbit's arms.

They received fervent applause, and whilst everyone was chatting merrily, Beatrix pulled Callum aside. He yelped joyously as she handed him his broomstick and took off running towards the Marshmallow Pit. The large oval pit was filled with pillow fuzz, fake snow and white foam blocks. A rope along the side allowed you to climb to the small launching platform. Once Beatrix and Callum were both on the platform, broomsticks in hand, she began to instruct Callum on the secrets Broomstick Betsy had once imparted on her.

Callum nodded solemnly, extending his finger to feel for the nearly non-existent wind in the air. "What if the wind's not right?"

"It will be, just wait." Beatrix looked to the sky, stretched out her fingers and waited till she felt a breezy chill.

"You're really a witch, aren't you?" Callum asked suddenly.

Beatrix's reply was cut off as giant snowflakes started falling on a gentle wind. "Now, Callum!" she called, launching herself off the platform while snowflakes sprinkled her wool cloak. Beatrix was giddy with the snow and cold and thrill of flying, until she saw Callum frozen on the platform.

At once, she flew to him.

"What if I fall," he mumbled, looking at Beatrix as snow and glitter shone in his black hair.

"Then you'll fall in a fluffy pit. I won't let anything happen to you. That's what friends do," Beatrix said, extending her pinky towards him. He smiled and hooked his pinky around hers in a jolt that launched them both off of the platform.

"GOOOO BEATRIX!" Broomstick Betsy shouted from behind the pit.

"That's it Callum, dear!" Mrs. Bobbit cheered.

Callum whooped and made it a few feet before toppling into the fluffy pit below. Beatrix gasped and dove after him. When his head emerged he was laughing, "Again, friend?"

"I've got all night," Beatrix said.

When they climbed out of the pit, though, Mr. Bobbit was waiting with his hand extended to their broomsticks.

"Could I try?" he asked gruffly.

Before Beatrix could respond, Callum had shouted, "Of course, Mr. B!" and thrust his broomstick over.

Mr. Bobbit fumbled up to the platform, stood on the edge and shouted, "Ho ho ho!" before diving off.

He crashed immediately into the Marshmallow Pit. "At least Penny didn't see me," he grumbled with a small grin beneath his snow covered mustache.