Page 28 of The Snuggle is Real
“Oh, yeah. I saw a couple. I didn’t know that was Marguerite’s work.”
“Yep. I’m so damn proud of her. Those sales get us through Christmas and then some.”
I nodded. If only I were crafty, it might have been an option. I didn’t have the wood-carving skills of Murphy, the guy whomade gnomes. And I didn’t have the eye for ribbon, ornaments, and color schemes that Marguerite must. Nor did I bake or sew or fucking…sculpt ice.
I was just an average Joe who made a living by shingling roofs, cleaning gutters, weather-stripping windows, and shoveling snow. Whatever I could find.
Charlie turned in her seat and held up the little baggie of Grinch M&Ms all the kids had received.
I flashed her a thumbs-up.
“I guess you’re joining the dad brigade this year,” Tony said. “How’s that going?”
“Charlie’s great.”
“Can’t be easy though,” Tony said. “You don’t have a Marguerite.”
“Well, that’s a fact. You’re a lucky man.”
“I am,” he said with a nod. “These guys keep me busy while their mamá is over at that craft fair, though. Being a single dad is no joke, even temporarily.”
“Yeah.” I hesitated. “Got any tips?”
“Just put your niña first.”
I nodded. “I will.”
“Nothing humbles you quite like being at the mercy of a little one.” He grinned as I wiggled my fingers in Charlie’s direction. “But then, I’m guessing you know that.”
“I’m a sucker for this girl.”
He laughed outright. “I see it.” He nudged me. “You hear that old Mr. Jones might hang up his ladder?”
“No. Really?”
The old guy had been the on-call handyman for the festival for years.
“Apparently, his son just moved out to California. He’s thinking of moving to be with his grandkids.”
“Makes sense,” I murmured.
“Could be your opening.” He raised his eyebrows. “Get in with him now. Help out on a few jobs. Maybe he passes the mantle.”
I hummed. “I’m sure the city has their sights set on someone already.”
“Well, then I guess you better get in there and get your hat in the ring.” He paused. “If you want, that is. I’m not trying to be pushy.”
“No, I appreciate the heads-up.”
Getting a regular gig with the festival could go a long way to providing more stability over the whole year. Not only would it fill the gaps during the slow months of November through February, but it’d give me the connections to pick up other jobs year-round.
Maybe I could leave roofing behind. Run my own business.
But that was putting the cartwaybefore the horse. And even if it panned out, it didn’t solve my problems this season, while old Mr. Jones was still here.
How was I supposed to get in tight with him and the festival organizers and do the grunt work that might lead to a future job when Charlie needed me?
The kids erupted into applause as Eddie closed the storybook and took a showy bow. Then he had the stuffed dog take a bow as well, inspiring titters of laughter.
