Free FAE-ted by Linda Palmer Page A

eyes
with difficulty, I focused on Anna, who wore a white leotard and
tights under her silver tulle tutu. I slipped her wings into place. "Is
this your...uncle?"
    She shook her head. "My big brother. For always and always,
happily ever after."
    Nate playfully tugged one of her curls. " Step brother,
actually, as of this morning. My dad and her mom just left for their
honeymoon in Branson."
    "That's so cool. Congrats. Now you'd better come with me,
Faerie Rose." I glanced at Nate. "That's f-a-e-r-i-e, by the way. We're
old school here." Since Anna was the last guest, I ushered her into the
party room via the mirror, enjoying her gasp when she saw herself
and then again when she took in the gorgeous sights and sounds of
the Faerie Garden at Christmastime.
    I especially loved her reaction to the filigreed gazebo with
its twinkling lights, miniature chairs and a table that held all the
makings of a tea party. Leaving Nate to handle the present and
Sparky, I got busy with the task at hand--celebrating! He could find
his own way to the parents' bench lining the east wall. If he was
staying, that is. I wasn't sure I wanted him to since it might cramp
my style.
    Some of the people who brought kids to parties sat quietly
and played with their smart phones. Others merely dropped off and
picked up, especially lately since it meant they could get in some
secret shopping. Still others hovered, often underfoot in their
eagerness to take photos or be involved in everything their children
did. I didn't fault anyone for that. In fact, I planned to be just like
them when I had kids of my own.
    With a backward peek that revealed Nate had stayed, I
    self-consciously began the usual games, one after the other--pin the ears
on the pixie, faerie chairs, and who's got the magic wand? I soon got
lost in the fun and led them in a freeform hop, skip, and jump to a
piece from the Peter Pan soundtrack appropriately named
"Fairy Dance" while Mom blew bubbles into the air.
    Our guests were hilarious, from the ones who could barely
wiggle their butts to the wannabe Beyoncés that went all out.
When they'd had enough of that, my mom served them a fancy cake
and fruit punch. Then came the presents. Since the birthday girl's
mother stood up to supervise, I stole a moment to lean against the
wall and catch my breath.
    "Hey."
    I turned and found Nate standing right beside me with
Sparky tucked under his arm. "Hey."
    "I just wanted to say that you're very good at this. As in
really. You should do it for a living."
    I looked at him in disbelief. "I do."
    "Oh yeah. Duh." He laughed heartily at himself, so it took
him a second to realize that Anna had left the presents and
approached us.
    "I need to poop."
    That got him. "Oh, um, sure. The bathroom is--" Red-faced,
he looked all around.
    "Over there," I said, pointing to the little girl's room.
    Anna never took her eyes off Nate. "I need help with my
leotard, sil-ly." She dragged out the word. "And you have to wipe
me."
    Nate choked and sputtered a reply that didn't make sense.
So I jumped in. "May I do it this time?"
    "Uh-huh."
    With brand new big bro sagging in relief, I led her to the
bathroom, where she did what had to be done. After washing and
drying our hands, we returned to the fun. But she hung back a little
before joining the others.
    "Do you have one of these for Nate?" She pointed to her
tiara. Her stepbrother's eyes widened in horror.
    "Actually, those are only for girl faeries. Boys don't get
them."
    "'Cause we're specialer?"
    "You've got it, sister."
    "What color of faerie are you?" she next asked.
    "Indigo. That means blue."
    With a solemn nod, she ran back to the party.
    Nate sighed. "Thanks for saving me. That's twice now. I
definitely owe you."
    Didn't I just wish? "I'll remember you said that."
    He gave me the oddest look and another of those grins.
"Looking forward to it."
    Flustered, I tried to think of something clever to say but
never got the chance before a wail of dismay made every