Page 114 of Fairy Godmothers Aren't Cheap

“Looks like your mom has a new career if she wants it,” I told James.

“She looked into opening a bakery once.”

“Really? Why didn’t she?”

He shrugged. “I was born.”

“You ruined her dreams.” I sighed dramatically.

“I’m better than a bakery,” James pointed out playfully.

“Well…”

He bumped me with an elbow. “Meanie.”

I giggled and bumped him back.

Avery returned, feet dragging, head down.

“What’s wrong, Avery?”

“I have to go home now. My mom says it’s too hot out.”

“You know what?” James leaned over as though he had a secret to share with Avery. “Char’s trying to buy trees for the park, so there’ll be shade for the moms and babies to sit in. Then kids like you will be able to play longer.”

Avery’s eyes lit up, and I nodded when he looked at me for confirmation.

He took off across the bare dirt to where his mom was sitting in a lawn chair. He was back in seconds.

“Here.” He laid a nickel on my palm.

“What’s this?”

“For a tree.” He watched me expectantly. “Or a cookie.”

“That’s very sweet. But I think you should keep it.” I tried returning it to him.

He shook his head, hands locked behind his back. “I want to play longer.”

“Right.” I studied the nickel, aware that the truth about the cost of trees might break his heart. That and the fact that I couldn’t get one here in the next minute. “I’ll, uh. I’ll get a tree here as soon as I can, okay?”

“Today?” He rubbed his cheek, leaving a smudge behind. His shorts were dirty and so was he. We all were. Every kid playing here was going to need a bath. I needed to get them some grass.

“I can’t today, but soon. Okay? And in the meantime, you hold on to this.” I took his hand and placed the warm nickel against his grubby palm. “When I have a tree, then you can pay your share. Or buy a cookie.”

“Okay.” Avery turned, hollering at everyone at the playground. “I just bought a tree! We’re going to have shade here tomorrow! And Sally’s bringing cookies. Bring your money tomorrow!”

“Oh, no,” I mumbled to James.

He chuckled. “The kid’s adorable.”

“You bought a tree?” a kid asked Avery.

“And you can’t climb it!” Avery yelled back.

“Hey!” I hollered. This was turning dark quickly.

“The park is for everyone,” James said, standing up as though worried he’d have to break up a fight. “Nobody owns anything. Not even the trees. We’re all working together to make this park so everyone can share it. Understand?”

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