It had been a setup. Each of Mabel’s friends pulled out a cell phone. They didn’t just pull them out; they did it in a sequence. This was another well-rehearsed routine for them. I couldn’t help but chuckle. Mabel wouldn’t waste an opportunity for a dramatic reveal.
Fingernails clacked against screens at lightning speed. Mabel raised their phone, clicking a single button. Holding it to their ear, I couldn’t help but smile as their lips pursed. Between the attitude and mannerisms, there was no doubt who I watched. Mabel wasn’t the alter-ego. This was their authentic self.
“Ivy, it’s Mabel. Yes, that Mabel! How many Mabels do you know, girl?” I could hear screeching on the other end. “Remember when I did that thing for you that time?” I wish I could hear the other side of this conversation. “Ivy, I’m calling in my favor.” There were drag shows throughout Portland, and the performers were well-connected. I didn’t expect our Mabel to have pull.
“Thank you,” I mouthed.
“Do the Ladies of Misfortune still have their Halloweencostumes from 2017?” Not only was Mabel connected, but they knew the wardrobe of them all. “Good. I’ll text you the details. Consider it a favor repaid.”
When Mabel lowered their phone, each of the Glitterati Guild followed suit. Had they sat around and practiced this? Or were they so tight-knit that they intuitively knew how to put on a performance?
“Girls?” Mabel said.
Phones vibrated and dinged. None of them spoke, instead leaning forward on the bar with smiles stretched across their faces. Mabel waved their hand about as if they held a wand. It ended with them holding my chin.
“Never doubt your fairy godmothers.”
It might have been an act of goodwill on their behalf, but it left me choking on my feelings. Yay, we saved the carnival, but it was Patrick’s words that struck a nerve. I had been worried that moving to Firefly would uproot my life and leave something behind. Mabel proved that the good things in my life would follow. I couldn’t speak my thanks, so I slid off my stool, throwing my arms around their neck.
“Girl, don’t spill my drink!”
I didn’t care. After a moment, Mabel returned the hug. Seconds later, I could feel arms all over me as the Glitterati closed their ranks. The last bit of hesitation melted away. Icouldhave it all. Those I called family would meet me halfway, and when I needed them to go the distance, they’d do it.
“Okay. Okay. Okay.” Mabel pushed everybody away. “Patrick, get our Cinderella a drink. Group hugs are over. We need to talk logistics.”
It was going to be a long but fabulous night.
Tyler: I found your drawing.
Tyler: It’s amazing.
Tyler: You’re amazing.
“You did it,” I whispered.
Standing on the porch, I let out a long sigh. The anxiety had vanished, leaving me almost euphoric. I bit my lips as the smile formed. Firefly, a tight-knit community, came together when one of their own needed it. However, I existed on the fringe, and Mabel and the Glitterati Guild made it clear that my tribe continued to expand. These friends… thisfamily, would follow no matter where I called home.
I opened the door, careful to avoid a loud groan. At two in the morning, I didn’t want to wake Evie. I needed to avoid steps two, six, seven, nine… and maybe twelve. A house this old came with its own security system and it’d take a skilled cat burglar to make it out undetected.
As I stepped inside, my arm caught on the coat rack. As it fell, I tried catching it. My foot hit the door, slamming it shut, and the rack smacked against the floor. All attempts at discretion were dashed, and I’m certain I had woken up the neighbors.
“Jonny?”
Peeking into the living room, I found Evie sitting on the couch, her screen lit up from her laptop screen. At least I didn’t have to worry about waking her.
“Mister, do you know what time it is?”
“Past your bedtime,” I shot back.
She folded her legs, patting the cushion next to her. Since she admitted to wanting to turn Mimi’s house into a bed-and-breakfast, it seemed as if she had shaken a weight from her shoulders. I couldn’t be happier for her… for us. Knowing Mimi had brought us together warmed my heart.
I took the seat on the far end of the couch, legs folded underneath me so I could face her. Reaching behind her head, she flipped the switch on the light, and we both winced at the brightness.
“I’ve been making a list of all the things I need to do for the house.” She turned her computer around. Scrolling, her list had reached the fourth page. “This is going to be a lot.”
“I believe in you.” It was the truth. She held the hotel together at her previous job. At least here, she wouldn’t have bosses telling her no. If anybody could make this work, it’d be Evie.
“I’m glad one of us thinks so.”
