Page 2 of Tempting God

After taping my sign to the front of my door, I run into my closet and put on my fairy wings. I mean, I can’t very well be the President of Greer’s Fairy Club if I’m not wearing wings! The wings are blue with lots of glitter that catch the light and look so pretty when they sparkle. It doesn’t match my pink dress, but I don’t think Momma will mind. She’ll be too busy talking to all of Dad’s friends to even notice me. Sometimes I catch her smiling at one of the men. He likes to smile back at her and sometimes comes over when Dad is at work just to see Momma. They must be good friends.

I can hear loud laughter and people talking as I go downstairs. It smells so good down here that I pick up my pace. We have the best Chef in the world. My stomach growls as I peek around the corner. Everyone is eating, and there’s not a seat for me between Momma and Dad. I frown.

Did they forget about me?

There’s a funny feeling deep inside of my chest, and I move before I can think. Dad says I don’t think enough before I act. Maybe he’s right.

A man calls out, “Blanc, it looks like someone is up past their bedtime.”

Dad’s steely gaze lands on me, making me pause for a moment.

“Young lady, what are you doing out of bed?”

“Momma was supposed to get me for dinner.”

Momma’s laugh rings out like little bells. “Greer, you already had your dinner. Remember?”

“No, I didn’t.”

Momma stands. “Please excuse me while I take this little one to bed. She has quite the appetite and likes to sneak food after bedtime.”

There are chuckles throughout the room, which makes my face feel hot. She’s acting like I’m a baby, and I’m not. And I know I didn’t have dinner!

“I didn’t eat, Momma.”

The vein on Momma’s forehead is back, but she doesn’t hit me. She never does when there are other people around, but I have a feeling I’m going to be in trouble later.

The smile is still on her face. “Greer, return to your room. I’ll have Nanny bring you a snack.”

But I don’t want a snack. I’m hungry and want to eat in here.

“Momma, please, can I stay?”

“No.”

Hot tears fill my eyes as I look around. No one is paying us any attention. Don’t they know that I won’t get to eat if I leave?

“Momma, please…”

A deep voice from the other side of the room says, “Come now, Blanc. Let the girl stay up and have a bit of food. Why, there’s even a spot next to me.”

Dad laughs. “You’re a good man, Carter.” To me, Dad says, “You may sit next to Mr. Carter until your dessert is gone. Then off to bed. Understand?”

I nod, backing away from the two before Momma can say no. She has that mean look in her eyes. The one that scares me. I bump into the table and mumble my apology as I get away from her as fast as I can.

A tall man stands. “Over here, little one.”

I round the table, going to the empty seat at the end of the table. The man helps me scoot in my chair.

“Nice wings. Are you a bird?”

I shake my head as I put my napkin in my lap. “A fairy.”

“Ah, I see. Do you like fairies?”

“They’re the best! One day I’m going to become one and fly away from here.”

“You are? Won’t you miss your parents?”

---