Dreams often serve as a reflection of our subconscious thoughts, emotions, and experiences. The elements in your dream, such as the party, the ice cream man, and the interactions with Melinda and Earl, can be examined for deeper meanings.

1. The Party: This setting can represent social interactions and relationships in your life. It may suggest feelings of connection or disconnection with those around you.
2. The Ice Cream Man: Ice cream often symbolizes pleasure, indulgence, or childhood memories. However, in this case, the act of spilling ice cream on Melinda's car might indicate a disruption of joy or a mess in a situation that was supposed to be enjoyable.
3. Melinda: Since you don’t know her well, she might represent a part of your life that is unfamiliar or a new social circle. Your involvement in helping her could signify your desire to support others or to navigate new relationships.
4. Earl's Anger: Your ex-husband's presence and his violent reaction could reflect unresolved feelings about your past relationship or anxiety over conflict. His behavior might symbolize fears about how anger and unresolved issues can lead to negative consequences.
5. The Altercation: The ice cream man beating up Earl could represent a desire for justice or a resolution to conflict. It could also symbolize your feelings of helplessness in situations where you see anger escalating. The concern about Earl's wellbeing might reflect your own worries about the impact of anger on relationships.

Overall, this dream could be processing your feelings about social dynamics, unresolved issues from your past, and concerns about how anger affects people you care about. It might be worthwhile to reflect on your current relationships and any lingering feelings from your past, particularly regarding Earl. Consider how you can find resolution or closure in those areas.