Page 17 of Fairy Godmothers Aren't Cheap

Biting my bottom lip, I slowly scanned the detailed list. A wish for a pet—so I’d have a friend no matter where we moved to. I’m sure a million kids made wishes like that. For Trevor to notice me—in a girlfriend kind of way. Then another wish to get him to quit smothering me with affection. That one sent chills down my spine with its accuracy. Vehicular repairs listed on the same snowy day I got stranded on a mountain logging road south of home when I was sixteen. My car had been kaput for over an hour and I was beginning to panic when all of a sudden it started again. On its own. You didn’t forget weird stuff like that.

I closed the folder, my skin clammy, my heart pounding and vision narrowing. How did they know all of this? My brain refused to accept the possible implications of this new information, and I realized vaguely that I was nearing panic.

“Any questions?” Estelle asked.

“How do you know all of this?” I asked hoarsely. The papers were trembling in my grip and I set them down, locking my digits under my thighs, willing myself to pull it together. “This is so invasive! A complete and utter breach of privacy.”

Estelle blinked at my tone. “Well, I…”

“This is an outrage!” My skin flashed with heat, my brain too big for my skull.

“But I’m your fairy godmother.”

“You are not!” I blinked back the wetness in my eyes.

Estelle glanced at the window as my voice rose higher.

“But I am. I was assigned to you.” Her voice remained low.

“Trish said you’re a trainee.”

Estelle’s shoulders softened, as did her expression. “Yes. And my evaluations are at the end of the quarter along with hers, so if you have any questions about the wishes or fees before you clear up your bill we can?—”

“Prove it.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Prove you’re a wish-granting fairy.”

“Oh.” Estelle sat back, then brightened. “I’d be happy to. What would you like to wish for today?”

“World peace.”

Estelle blinked rapidly and her mouth moved, but no words came out.

“You can’t do that?” I felt a whisper of smugness. I could feel myself one step closer to running home and forgetting all of this—except for the massive privacy breach. I’d still have to take action on that.

“Why don’t we start with something a little less complicated, and with results that are a bit more expedient?” She was swaying in her chair, her breathing shaky.

“Fine.” I shared the first thought that came to mind. “Make James cancel his date tonight.”

“Sure!” Estelle said brightly. “Make a wish!”

“I just did.”

“No, you need to wish it.”

“Yeah?” I crossed my arms, my heart still thundering in my chest. “How?”

“Concentrate on what you want. Feel it. And start with ‘I wish’.” Her tone was oddly soothing.

I sighed. “Fine.” I closed my eyes, playing along even though I knew there was no way she could jump over into James’s mind and make him do something just because I wished it. That would be pure evil, and our world would be a very different place if that kind of stuff was allowed.

With my hands clasped in front of my chest, I said in a syrupy voice, “I wish I may, I wish I might, that James will cancel his date tonight.”

I opened one eye. Estelle was leaning forward, nodding eagerly. “And?”

“And what?”

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