“You’re such a sap.” She chucked a throw pillow at my head. “I’m proud of you, Jonny. It’s about time you spiced up your life.”
“Did you ever think we’d wind up here? ThatFirefly Valleywould be ourspicy?”
“Oh, that reminds me—” She spun about on the couch, grabbing a sheet of paper off the coffee table. “—a handsome gentleman dropped this off for you.”
Evie handed me the page, and I flipped it over. It took a moment to process the scratchy marks. Stick figures? Were they hugging? Wrestling? “Oh.” They were kissing while sitting on a table. Above them, there were bursts… fireworks. There was no point in holding back the tears. When I spotted the little hearts around the figure’s heads, I didn’t need an explanation. Tyler’s intention far surpassed his horrible artistry. Maybe he was more than a little responsible for my wanting to stay.
“He’s a keeper,” she said.
Staring at the drawing, I couldn’t help but wonder if the thumping in my chest was what others felt when they found my drawings. Was this the result of radical love? More importantly, were these stickers from twenty years ago, or were they a prophecy yet to come true?
Both. Definitely both.
“So what’s this about a Glitter Gang?”
I chuckled. “Okay, it started with the carnival committee…”
WELCOME KINGS & QUEENS
Gladys: Are yousureyou’ve got it covered?
Shelia: Why are you being secretive?
Harvey: Leave the boy alone. We trust him.
Walter: I hope he got carnies!
Laurel: I smell a grand reveal.
Gladys: Remember, our reputation is at stake.
I hadn’t slept a wink. If not for Patty putting out a coffee Kraft for volunteers, I’d be a rambling zombie. Mabel had been waiting for me at the committee table. I could only describe her outfit as clown couture. The multicolored jumpsuit, red spot over her eye, and fire engine red wig were visible from space.
For a few days, we talked about the vendors, layouts, and volunteer opportunities. When she sent me a spreadsheetwith locations, shifts, and tasks, I was impressed. Seeing every slot filled with the name of a drag queen filled my heart. The Glitterati Guild called in every favor, and now Firefly was filled with queens and kings sporting their best carnival outfits.
As I took a seat, Mabel had a clipboard, reviewing notes while a drag queen with a full beard awaited instructions. “The cotton candy station is in zone three. Remember, one ticket per serving. The supplier said the machine is temperamental. Feel free to kick it.”
“And scuff my boots?” The queen scoffed. “I’ve got this. We had a cotton candy machine as my nephew’s birthday.”
Mabel handed her a lanyard, and as she skipped down the path, I noticed the pink, fluffy hair. Not only had she come to support Mabel and Firefly, but she had turned herself into a giant cone of pink cotton candy. She did it fashionably as well!
“I’m glad to see you dragged yourself out of bed.” Mabel handed me the clipboard. “Amanda Go is running late. She has a flat and refuses to ruin a perfectly good manicure. Can’t blame her, really. So we have Sister Mary covering the face painting, and Anita Cocktail is pulling double duty at the petting zoo and pony rides.”
My mouth gaped as I scanned the clipboard. I assumed it’d be a haphazard attempt to cover everything. It’d be fun but chaotic, and later, the whole town would talk about it. Mabel ran a tight ship.
“How did you pull this off?”
Mabel laughed, at first breathy, and then almost buckled over. “Oh, you’re serious.” She pulled a multi-colored handkerchief from her pocket, dabbing the corners of her eyes. “You know how hard it is to get a room full of queens to memorize the choreographing for Madonna’s “Vogue”? Oh, and don’t even get me started on Queen Bey’s “All the Single Ladies”?”
Before I could respond, my phone vibrated.
Tyler: Getting ready to head over. Got my swim trunks ready.
Tyler: Need anything?
Jon: Just your hunky self.
“Oh!” Mabel clapped her hands. “He doesn’t know, does he?”
