Page 22 of Making A Mess of Things

“Oh sure, sign him up and leave me alone with him.”

Joann said, with a wink, “You are more capable than you think. I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

“Did you hide the glue bottles and glitter?”

“Unfortunately, you’re making fairy gardens today that require both.” Joann slowly backed away. “I would say have fun, but the word survive comes to mind instead. See you later.”

Joann waved and made her escape before little Billy showed up. Suzy usually loved children, but this one was challenging, to say the least.

Joann was right, though. When he smiled, he had the cutest dimples, which made him endearing for a moment or two. Then disaster would strike, and he was always the reason for it.

It took seven washes to get the sticky, yucky glue out of her hair. Not to mention she found glitter for weeks after Billy got his hands on the bottles.

Fairy gardens today, Lord help her.

***

Daniel took a deep breath as he stared at the small art studio Joann Mitchell owned. He hadn’t seen the elderly woman in years. She decided not to pursue selling her art but to open thisstudio. From what he heard, it had been a huge hit with the community. She taught all ages, from children to adults.

Suzy was inside finishing up her morning class. This could have waited until Tuesday. There was absolutely no reason for him to be here except he desperately wanted to see her.

The door opened. Happy, chattering children swarmed out in search of their parents, eager to show off their masterpieces.

A boy with messy hair covered in glue and blue glitter pounced outside. “Hey, Mom.”

The boy held up what looked to be some sort of garden. With all the blue glitter, it was hard to tell.

“Oh, Billy,” said a pretty woman who looked hassled. “It’s simply wonderful. Let’s put it on the mantle as soon as we get home. You were good today, weren’t you?”

“Sure, Mom.” He gave her a lopsided grin, which showed off his dimples. “Good as gold.”

She gazed at him as if she didn’t believe him. Then she glanced at the door nervously. “Okay, then let’s go.”

She grabbed his hand and quickly dodged through the crowd, heading to the parking lot.

The front door opened again. “Billy, Mrs. Jones, I need to talk with you,” said Suzy, scanning the crowd.

Daniel was speechless. If he thought the kid looked messy, Suzy was a complete disaster. Sticky glue was in her hair and smeared all over her apron. Blue glitter drifted through the air, almost dancing around her. Her face was streaked with bright yellow and forest green paint.

She noticed him and went bright red, looking a bit ill.

“Daniel, it’s not a good time," she muttered.

She shrunk back inside, pulling the door behind her as she flipped the open sign to close. He yanked the door open and stepped inside.

“What happened?” he asked, still reeling from her looks.

He glanced around the studio. It looked like a war zone between trolls and fairies. He guessed Billy was the main troll in the chaos of the fairies.

“Good grief,” he said, running his hand through his hair. “What happened?”

“Billy.” Suzy sat on an old stool in defeat. “I told Joann that kid was awful, just awful, but she said every child deserved a second chance and to create something—”

“That kid certainly did create something, a horrible mess.” He placed his hand on her shoulder. “When is your next class?”

“An hour,” she said with a groan. “How can I clean up in time? I’ll have to cancel.”

“We can’t let Billy win.” He rolled up his sleeves and grabbed an apron off the hook. “We got this, don’t give up the war yet.”

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