Lucy was busy cleaning up after a day of baking when the door opened. Thinking it might be Ozog, she turned to greet him… but it wasn’t Ozog. The small goblin smiled shyly and said, “Mees heer yoos nedin a gerdner. Mees be gud wif flours." Lucy smiled. “What’s your name?” she asked. “Icky Rotblossom.” The goblin smiled back, exposing a mouthful of pointy little teeth. Lucy raised her eyebrows. “Icky Rotblossom?” “Yerg.” “Are you sure you’re good with flowers?” asked Lucy, looking concerned. “Mees da bes,” declared the goblin. “Mees lik flours en flours lik mees.” “Well, I do need a gardener,” said Lucy. “If you think you can handle the job, I’ll welcome the help.” “Tankee miz Lucy. Mees kin tart rite now.” Lucy watched from a window as Icky Rotblossom watered each new planting. The little goblin looked happy in the garden. Maybe she would work out, in spite of her name.
Eyes brimming with tears, Icky walked into the Deli and tugged on Lucy's skirt to get her attention. "Why, Icky... whatever is the matter?!" asked Lucy. Icky wiped her nose on Lucy's hem and sobbed, "Sumbuddie beins meens ta mees." Lucy sighed. "Everything will be alright, Icky. Just give it time. Now, how about some nice ice cream?" "YAY!" cried Icky, doing a little dance around the floor of the Deli, her misery apparently forgotten for the time being. "Mees lubs ice creams!"
Icky pays noes neber mind to dat Ashlynn. herz just jealious cuase wees beee so purdy and knows how to makes goos ice creams and flafers grows. Hugs ozog
Lucy rose early and stoked the oven in preparation for a morning of baking. Pausing to look out the window, she noticed Icky standing on the steps talking with Ozog. Smiling, she turned back to her work. A few minutes later, Icky ran in holding something in her hands. "Lookeeze!" she said. "Ozog gib mees nilla seedz! Mees gon ta plantz dem!" "We can definitely make good use of them," replied Lucy. "When we have enough, we can make candies and more ice creams. Would you like that, Icky?" "Ice creams! YAY!" Icky paused, a confused look on her face. "Watz kandeez?" she asked. Lucy laughed. "You'll find out," she said. "And I think you'll like them." Icky said, "Mees goez plantz seedz now." She hesitated, then added, "Sumthin elze Miz Lucy..." "Yes, Icky?" "Ozog sez mees purdy!" Blushing, she skipped happily out the door.
It had been a productive day. Although she was very tired, Lucy could not sleep. Her dreams of late were of her sisters... Lulu, whose demise still haunted her... Lora, who had vanished soon after the tragedy that took Lulu... Luann, who had left to make her own way in the world as a traveling tinker. She hadn't heard from either of them since their departure. It's time, thought Lucy... time to search for her missing sisters. Lulu was gone forever, but perhaps she could find Lora and Luann and bring them home. They could be a family again. I'm glad Icky's here, thought Lucy. I can trust her to tend the garden and mind the Deli until I return. Hope stirred within her as she made her way quietly back up to the bedroom. She would tell Icky of her plans in the morning.
Ozog lebes a missive fer lucy to give to icky, well picture missive. It shows Pitmuck goblins hepin Icky out around da deli. Yawns and opens 1 peeper, noes to early to gets up. Pulls himz fur ober himz head tries togo back to sweep.
