Page 46 of Bring me Back

Her eyebrows rose as she circled the booth, taking notice of everything. Sharon Campbell was exhausting. I never met her before this, and if I never saw her again, it would have been too soon. She was demanding and so difficult to please. I couldn’t help but to feel bad for her children.

I waited patiently for Sharon’s verdict while I regarded the booth as well. Hallie categorized the costumes in a way it was impossible for me to screw it. We agreed I was going to take the first shift, and Hallie was on the phone with me until odd hours again, trying to guide me through her costumes. Plus, the wands, swords and hats Helen took from the theater’s trunk to be used as props.

Yes, I did my best to keep Hallie on the phone for the longest time. But I actually needed the help.

The only part I didn’t struggle with was to put together the six feet tall white backdrop so the parents could take pictures of the kids all dressed up.

Right across from us, was a cotton candy stand and now that I thought about it, it couldn’t be more perfect. The kids in line would have the perfect view of Hallie’s dresses.

Sharon nodded to herself, taking a costume and feeling the fabric between her fingers. She wrinkled her nose like there was shit under it. What the hell did she expect? School play costumes weren’t made from silk. Of course, some of them were rough to the touch. They were made to last and weren’t tailored perfectly to just one person.

“I hope it works,” Sharon said but didn’t really mean it.

I managed to dip my chin in acknowledgement and she finally left me alone.

My phone beeped with a voice message from Mark, telling me they were already en route. I heard the girls singing happily as he talked, Abby’s voice the loudest in the background. I pocketed my phone and turned my attention to the families arriving. I knew none of them were coming to our booth. The school never had something like that before, but I hoped the backdrop would pique their curiosity.

It took an hour of people just watching at a distance with mild interest until a little girl ran straight toward a pink puffy dress displayed on the biggest rack.

“Would you like to try it on?” I asked with a smile.

The mother rushed after her, taking the girl by the arm with an apologetic smile. The little girl was younger than April, maybe about seven or six. She was completely ignoring her mother, her little sticky fingers clutched on the pink dress. I did my best not to wince.

“I’m sorry…” the mother said to me. “Anna, what did I say about running off?”

“Look, mommy!”

“She can try it on and you can take a picture.” I pointed to the backdrop. “And maybe get some props from the trunk?” I offered, trying my best to be a smooth seller.

I never sold anything before. Even with my furniture, I simply made them. Kelly was the one who put up a website and dealt with customers. She was a people person.

The mother blinked at me, and then down to her daughter. I kept going. “We are trying to fund the drama department. This is all Mrs. Carr’s idea.”

No, it wasn’t, but Mrs. Carr was known and liked in Bluehaven, it was good to have her endorsement. The mother opened a smile and nodded. She took two tickets from her purse, which I stuffed into our little money box by the side.

I left them alone to decide on a dress and props, only offering my assistance when the kid wanted the mother to be in a picture with her. After them, a line formed. Soon all costumes were requested, and I even got a couple of parents to try one thing or another. An older couple requested a picture together dressed like 70s hippies. And another wanted as Daenerys and Jon Snow fromGame of Thrones.

Time flew by. I distracted myself by dealing with the tickets and keeping Hallie’s costumes intact. Almost at the end of my shift, I saw Mark’s big head above the crowd and five seconds later I heard the children’s shriek as two little things threw themselves on my legs.

“Uncle Dan!” They yelled.

I chuckled and crouched down, giving a hug to April and then Rose, who was much tamer than her younger sister.

“How was the trip, kid?” I asked Rose as I stood up. April kept her arms around my neck, so I scooped her up in my arms.

Rose shrugged. “It was ok. Dad wouldn’t let us stop.”

I gaped at them in fake outrage. “Are you kidding me?”

“And he knows the stops are my favorite!” April whined.

“They are her favorite because she wants candy and a soda from each stop. And then she wants to go to the toilet and…” Mark said, coming closer to us, Abby just beside him, smiling brightly.

I gave Abby a one-armed hug since I had her kid in the other. She patted my chest with familiarity and then stepped back to look at the booth better.

“What do you think?” I asked.

“I think I’m a genius,” she replied.