THE JABBERWOCK CAME WHIFFLING
by Mel Gilden

For all who go down the rabbit hole

Part 1: TWAS BRILLIG

Chapter 1: Lost!

          The family was on vacation, an unusual occurrence because Albert's father rarely took a day off. Albert and his little sister Lily were sitting in the back seat of the family car, ignoring each other as best they could.

          Albert's mother had expressed a desire to "see San Francisco" before they settled in at the Valley of Enchantment campground of Redwoods National Park.  Expressing such a desire wasn't so much a mistake as it was pointless. Albert's father liked to "make good time." This meant he liked to drive from one place to another as quickly as possible without caring much about seeing anything in between. At the moment he was driving up and down the hills of San Francisco. Albert had no idea where they were or what the significance was of the buildings they were passing.

          Lily yanked earbuds from her ears and threw them into her lap. A song from a late sequel to High School Musical squeaked out of the earbuds as if the music were played by insects. "Mom," Lily cried, "Albert's hand is on my side."

          "You're such a child," Albert said.  "I'm nowhere near your side."

          "Give it a rest, Albert," his mother said.

          Albert sighed.  His parents were always on him about something. Meanwhile, Lily got away with murder.

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