When Lindiwe bent over to perform CPR, Mary-Anne’s arm suddenly sprang to life and pulled on Mark’s jeans. As they all wondered what was happening, her hand pulled Mark and gripped his arm. It pulled him closer to her lips.

As he performed CPR, her body seemed to levitate off the ground. He breathed again into her and she suddenly regained consciousness. A small crowd had gathered around them. They were in awe. “I’ve never seen anything like this before!” One of the crowd members screamed.

It was as if she had had a sip of the elixir. She was rejuvenated. Her face’s soft features had been enhanced. The glimmer on her caramel skin had returned. Mark helped her to her feet. Lindiwe and Siphiwe were star-struck. Mary-Anne smiled gently, her cheeks, red like strawberries, she revealed her perfect teeth. Then whispered thank you to Mark. The crowd cheered and applauded.

At noon, the sun was scorching at its peak, but there was still dew on the grass. The audience’s shadows stretched all the way to the gate. The parent’s laughter could be heard from behind the crowd of children, as their glasses clinked together. The puppet show on stage had ended and the children rested above their towels on lush grass. They enjoying cold drinks and some treats as they watched the stage.

Next was a magic show.

Mark was opening his lucky packet when the magician was introduced on stage. The magician’s lanky body was covered by a purple robe, and a tapestry with stars on it. His straw-like hair protruded from his cone hat.

Siphiwe had been sweating profusely and sloshing down tumblers of slushies next to Mary-Anne. Mark was seated next to Lindiwe, his hand wrapped around her. He looked over his shoulder and saw his parent’s enjoying a brief, yet friendly, chat with Brother Boswell.

The magician performed many acts: He pulled a rabbit out of his hat. Some card acts were thrown in as well. And pulled out balloons which he twisted and turned into different shapes of animals before giving some to the kids in the audience.

“And now for my final act!” He finaly announced.

The audience went silent. The magician covered a dove with a cloth. Then made it disappear. And waved his palms around a few times, and brought it back. All the children clapped but one in particular was not happy with it.

Mary-Anne stood up and yelled, “That’s it? Why don’t you make something bigger disappear?”

The magician adjusted his hat and gulped. “No, no, just hold on child.”

“Then that means you can’t,” Mary-Anne said.

“Boo! Boo!” The children in the audience jeered. “Boo! Boo!”

Siphiwe threw his empty cup on stage.

“Ok, ok, hush now, children. Ok, ok, let’s see.”

He reached down the sleeves of his robe and retrieved a chain of cloths. He danced and pranced with that cloth, which angered the children even more. And some of the parents joined in.

“What is going on here?” One of the rowdy crowd members’ words slurred as he screamed and spat, holding a drink in his hand. “Do something better! Every magician does this act. I mean where on earth is this Brother Boswell anyway? I want my refund.”