Toby and I went out into the woods. We talked as we walked, hoping for all our problems to drown away. Toby stopped in his tracks. I was confused until I looked forward, seeing a wooden tavern on the water. Was this here last time? I grabbed Toby by the hand, rushing to the building. Toby insisted we didn’t go inside since we’ve never seen this place before, but I was curious.

There weren’t many people inside. There was a bartender and an old couple sitting in a booth in the corner. We sat down at the bar, looking at the neatly lined drinks on shelves. The bartender let out a small chuckle. “I’ve never seen you before. Here, on the house, the bartender said as he slid Toby and I glasses of what seemed to be red wine.

Toby reluctantly took a sip of the drink. I copied his motions. It was sweet yet sour. We both drank the remaining of our drinks, thanking the bartender. Toby and I walked out hand-in-hand, laying in the grass beside the water. We did not want to leave each other just yet. The flowing waters and the woods made us both drift to sleep.

The next morning, Toby lightly shook me awake. He did not want my parents to worry. We got up, walking back out of the woods, when I turned around to see the tavern was no longer there. It had gone as quickly as it had shown up, like it had other places to be. I just wish that Toby and I can someday stumble upon it again.