A Cinderella Story

by E K Woodcock

  The drive home is short and sweet with laughter and random questions about how each other’s day was and what she did at daycare. The answer never changes. “I played with my friends,” but today she also adds, “And learned to count to ten, Daddy.”

  “Oooohhhh, that’s awesome, Ev. Why don’t you count for me then?”

  “Ok, Daddy. Ready?”

  “Yes, honey, I’m ready.”

  “Here we go,” she says with a smile on her angelic face and starts to count. “One, two, three, ten—see, I can count to ten.”

  I look at her with wide eyes through the rear-view mirror. “What happened to the numbers in between three and ten?” I can’t hide my amusement as a little chuckle escapes me.

  “Ugh… They all got sick, Daddy, that’s why they had to be left behind.” Her logic makes me laugh, and this time she joins, too.

  When we come home, she takes her hat, mittens, boots, and jacket off and runs to her room. She goes rummaging in her princess bookcase and finds The Willow Tree and its Fairies for me to read. We do our nightly routine of bathroom duties, brush teeth, brush hair, change into pajamas, and settle into her double bed with the princess sheets for story time.

  The Willow Tree and its Fairies

  Once upon a time, in a faraway forest where all creatures lived happily and harmoniously with each other, there were three good fairies. These fairies each had a little cove in an ancient Willow Tree. This tree was so old that its long green branches almost touched the ground.

  Every springtime, little white flowers bloomed on the branches, and the fairies came out to play on them. They would jump from one branch to another, and giggle and giggle endlessly when the little white flowers tickle their noses….

  Page 1

  Before I can even turn the page, I realize Ev’s already fallen fast asleep, so I give her a feather-light kiss on her temple, cover her up in her favorite blanket, and turn the light off behind me.

  I settle on the couch in the living room for a few minutes to relax and reflect on the day’s events. Even though I had the best time with Ev tonight, I still can’t seem to be able to get her “fairy godmother” out of my mind.

  The funny thing is, the boys and I usually don’t go to that specific Starbucks. It’s too far from our worksite. We’re frequent attendees of the Tim Horton’s a stone’s throw away from where we work. However, this morning Jake informed us we had to go to Starbucks because the new barista is hot and he “would like to charm the pants off her.” His words, not mine. After many discussions and bribing on his part, we all agreed to follow his lead and take a shorter coffee break. Let me tell you, I was thankful we decided to go out of our way when I saw her come out of the bathroom.

  Those jade green eyes first stared at me in annoyance because my crew and I pushed her stuff away and made ourselves comfortable at her table. The cascade of blonde curly hair fell onto her shoulders as she mentally readied herself to tell us off. And then recognition and wonder in her eyes bloomed because she couldn’t place where she knew me from. Then finally the shock on her face, her small pink lips parted halfway in a soft “oh” when I finally revealed myself to her by calling her “fairy godmother.” I could almost hear her thoughts buzz in her mind when we left the coffee shop.

  I hoped she would come racing out the door and demand answers and introduce herself in the process, but there’s always tomorrow…

  Now that I know where she goes for her coffee, I’ll be a frequent flyer there.

  Since I no longer have any adult responsibilities, whether it’d be to wake up early to get ready for a nine-to-five job or to show up to said job on time, I decide to stay in bed as long as I can. When I can’t bear it one more minute, I make my way out and get ready for my day of well-organized stalking.

  I take my time in the steaming hot shower and decide to check social media while air drying on my bed. When my body temperature returns to normal and I start feeling the slight chill, I pick out a pair of skinny jeans and a long-sleeved black shirt and get dressed. After putting on a minimal amount of makeup, which consists of pink lip balm and mascara, I deal with my bird’s nest of curls, tying them top of my head in a messy bun with the promise of turning it into a frizz ball later on.

  I go in front of my full body length mirror and take a look at the final product. Casual and cute with a hint of playfulness. I love the effect of pink lip balm and the subtleness of it, along with black mascara that brings out my big green eyes even more. It’s almost always the hair that gives me the most trouble, but today, even that has a fun flair to it…so far, anyway.

  I pack my laptop, my notes from the day before, and my agenda full of to-do lists into my oversized pink purse, grab my light coat and put it on, sling the world’s heaviest purse known to mankind over my shoulder, and head out the door to the coffee shop. The walk to Starbucks is short but since the weather has started to turn, it’s crisp. I make a mental note to put my mittens by the door when I get home so my hands will be nice and toasty on my walk tomorrow.

  Even though I want to drop my bag and set up right away so I get the same table, my frozen hands have other plans. I order my regular black coffee and while they’re getting it ready, I (luckily) set my supplies up on the same table.

  With my coffee in hand, I get back to my table and open my agenda to itemize today’s to-do list.

  Make sure all the available tables in the coffee shop are filled up

  If necessary, grab people from the street to fill those tables

  Make reserved signs and put them on the table I’m sitting at

  Make sure Monty sits next to you

  I look at my to-do list and hang my head in shame. I’ve actually turned into a world-class stalker, and I immediately need to burn this page before anyone else sees the level of craziness. I’m so stuck in my own head and its craziness that I don’t hear the ding sound the door makes when someone enters. The only thing that takes me out of my rambling thoughts is the sound of a full, deep, boisterous laugh coming from somewhere near me.

  I looked up to see him and his friends have come in and ordered their coffees. One of them is chatting up the barista. I realize the laughter is on his friend’s behalf as the barista doesn’t give him the time of day and goes on her business. A small smile makes its way onto my lips, and I can’t stop staring at this marvelous creature of a man. Oh, man, I’m a stalker crazy lady with a staring problem now… What’s happening to me?

  As I try my hardest to avert my eyes and focus on destroying my to-do list, they make their way to my table and ask if they can join me again. Stumbling over my words, I manage to get out a, “Yes, of course,” and make sure to close the top of my laptop to hide the nonsense within it.

  With smiles on their faces, they all start to introduce themselves as if it’s a part of an elaborate plan to get me to introduce myself. The first one thrusts his hand at me and says, “Well, this is two days in a row now. We might as well become friendlier. I’m Jake.”

  He’s tall with blond hair and a goatee he probably hasn’t groomed for at least three weeks. It makes him look a little like a caveman and supports a mischievous glint in his eyes. He’s cute if you’re into the I’m a bad boy and I know it look.

  I realize I’ve just been studying him rather than shaking his hand, so I smile and grab his hand in a gentle shake. “Hi, Jake, I’m Skylar, currently unemployed, dreamer and entrepreneur extraordinaire.”

  My introduction gets a laugh out of him and a few chuckles from the other two at the table. I look at Monty expectedly for him to introduce himself, but his other friend beats him to it.

  “Hi, Skylar, I’m Colton. I work with these two dingoes. Well, I suppose I shouldn’t call my boss a dingo if I want to continue to work for him.”

  I chuckle as Monty claps him on the back and smiles. “Yeah, Colt, you really shouldn’t call your boss names when he’s around.” He thrusts his hand out to me with a smile. “Well, we final
ly get to officially meet. Skylar, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Carter, but these dingoes call me Monty.”

  I laugh at him and shake his hand. He motions for Jake and Colt to get lost with his chin and makes himself more comfortable at the table. “Hey, how’s your coffee? Would you like a refreshment?”

  My coffee is still full. I haven’t even touched it, but I’m sure it’s ice-cold at this point. “Sure, Carter, thank you. Just a drip coffee, black please.”

  He looked confused as if he was expecting me to order something with a million shots of vanilla, caramel, and sprinkles on it. I smile at his confused expression and shrug. “I like the strong and bitter taste of a good coffee.”

  He nods with understanding. “Touché.”

  While he leaves to get us our fresh coffees, I appreciate the tall figure, wide shoulders, and best-looking ass I've ever seen in a pair of overalls. Oh, man, this guy's got muscles for days. When he makes his way back to the table with our drinks, I realize I just got caught ogling him. As I turn a lovely shade of red, his ocean-blue eyes light up in amusement and that dimpled smirk shows up again. Ladies and gentlemen, I’m pretty sure I'm drooling at this point.

  Carter sits down and hands me my coffee, still smiling over me very openly checking out his backside but doesn't say anything. We take our first sips of delicious drip coffee in silence. I’m the first to break it.

  “Soooo, Carter… It’s so nice to finally have a name for Cinderella’s father. How old is she, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  “My little Everly, she’s three years old. She’s my everything.”

  His declaration of love for his daughter makes me smile. There is nothing sexier than a good father who’s not afraid to declare his love for his daughter.

  He smirks as if he knows the thoughts that went through my mind. “Ummm… did I just say something out loud?”

  He gives me a little smile. “No, you didn’t, but your face can’t hide your emotions as well as you think,” he says with a wink.

  The beginning of a hot blush creeps onto my cheeks. I didn’t want to be this transparent, but if I’m going down for my thoughts, I’ll go down blazing. I open my mouth to say, “You know,” and to my surprise, he also says the same thing at the same time, and we burst out laughing at the familiar oddness of the moment. He motions for me to go ahead.

  “I was just going to say that I really enjoyed meeting you for the second time and would really like to see you again.”

  With a smile and a wink, he teases, “You stole my line, Skylar.”

  I have no response other than a small giggle that escapes my lips. Oh, God, now I’m giggling like a schoolgirl over this guy. Before I can finish giving myself a mental lashing for gushing so hard for him, he looks at his watch.

  “Time flies when you’re having fun. I need to get back to work but,” he slides a piece of paper across the table, “here’s my number. Call me sometime, if you want.”

  The men soon shuffle out. With a victorious smile on my face and the searing blue eyes in my mind, I opened my laptop once again and get back to creating an actual to-do list to start my workday.

  1. Create a business plan

  2. Make an appointment with the bank for investment opportunities

  3. Talk to a real estate agent to learn more about the property

  4. Talk to a lawyer about starting a business

  5. Talk to the library to see who their supplier is and where they get their products

  6. Go to IKEA.

  7. Grocery shop.

  I can't just live off coffee and dreams… Hmmm, speaking of dreams. Carter Monty and those piercing blue eyes. Ugh! Get a grip, woman…

  I walk through the door to our basement suite and fling myself onto the couch. This day may have started good with meeting Skylar, but the rest of it was frustrating. The windows in the apartment building my crew and I are building were scheduled to arrive by noon, but they were three hours late in delivery. Rumor has it, they got held up at customs. Whatever… Worst of all, the genius who took the measurements for the windows took them wrong, so the delivery had to be sent back, and now the project is being held up for at least two weeks by windows.

  While sulking on the couch and thinking nothing could restore my good mood, a ding comes from my phone.

  –Hi Carter, its Sky. Just dropping a line to see how your day was.—

  I immediately add her number on my phone under Fairy Godmother/Skyler and respond to her text.

  Hey there. Let’s just say I preferred the beginning of the day to the rest of it, but it is what it is. I’m currently sitting on the couch and sulking before I have to pick Everly up from daycare.

  Not even a minute passes before she responds.

  –Oh no! ☹ What happened? Hope you didn’t get in trouble for taking a longer coffee break…—

  I shift on the couch, getting comfortable.

  Haha. You’re forgetting I’m the boss… So, no worries there. ☺ Just a delivery problem that’s all, going to put my project 2 weeks behind. Enough about me and my sulkiness, how was your day—and to see how she feels about the nickname, I try it out—Fairy Godmother?

  —Gotcha! LOL good one. ☺ My day was well. I’ve finally took the first steps to set up my own business and am ready to take on the world, one book and beer at a time. ☺—

  Hmmm… That sounds interesting, what’s your business about?

  I watch the three dots moving across the screen while she types her answer and grab the tv remote to turn the news on for a few minutes.

  —Well… Maybe another coffee date, and I’ll tell you all about it. What do you say? ;)—

  I find myself grinning like a schoolboy texting the girl he likes.

  You did it again and stole my line. :-) But yes, I’d love another coffee date, that being said…. How about a longer date next week, and we’ll have some dinner?

  Do you like tacos?

  I regret the text and the way I asked her out by text message immediately after I hit send. Why don’t phones have a recall button for premature text messages? I wait anxiously for her response; the three dots keep appearing and disappearing on the screen… As I nervously start typing another text message, my phone finally dings with her reply.

  —I love tacos, and this idea. I'll bring the wine and sparkling juice for Miss Everly. :-) Send me the details.—

  I release the breath I’ve been holding since I hit send on that message.

  I’ll tell you the details over coffee tomorrow. ;)

  —Hah ☺ perfect. See you then.—

  Now in a better mood, I check the clock on the cable box and decide I have time for a quick shower and change of clothes. Once ready, I hop into my Toyota Tacoma and head over to daycare. The windows of Ev’s room face the parking lot, and they keep the blinds open for natural light. I take my usual spot in the parking lot facing right into Everly's classroom and see her smiling, round face. She's still got that baby chub going on in her cheeks. With those big brown eyes and brown curls, she belongs in a toddler magazine. My pretty girl.

  I get out of my truck, shut the door behind me, and tap on the glass of the window to earn another smile from her. I catch a glimpse of her bouncing around in excitement while I walk to the main entrance to swipe my keycard and pick her up.

  On the way home, we decide it should be a make your own pizza and movie night tonight. After a stop at the library and one at the grocery store, we make our way home. Ev is still animatedly telling me about her day while I get the groceries unloaded and pull out our individual-size round stone pizza cookers.

  "...so I told April, and she wouldn't believe me forever, and then we had a fight, and I was sent to the naughty girls’ corner…"

  Now that catches my attention. "Excuse me, did you just say you got into a fight in school and got sent to the naughty girls’ corner?”

  Her response is ready before I can even get another word in. "But, Daddy, she wouldn
't believe me about the fairy godmother, and I told her and told her that she is real. She called me a liar, so I pushed her."

  I look at my daughter in shock. "Everly, that's not how we resolve conflict. If someone says or does something you don’t like, you use your words, not your fists."

  She averts her eyes and looks to the ground, knowing she's about to be in big trouble. "I'm sorry, Daddy. I'll do better next time." And with that, she gives me a big smile and adds, "Let's make some pizza."

  I laugh at her enthusiasm and inform her there'll be a punishment for her behavior later in the form of no story time before bed tonight, as that’s one of her favorite things to do. But for now, we can have fun and make our pizzas. I turn on YouTube and search Taylor Swift, and we get to making our pizzas while dancing to “Shake It Off.”

  After we assemble and cook our pizzas, it's finally time to set our movie up in the living room and dive into our food. Everly decided to get out of her comfort zone of plain cheese pizza and added some pepperoni and pineapple to her pizza, and I decided to do a BBQ chicken pizza with a hint of hot sauce.

  Ev brings the TV trays out as I slice the pizzas and put two slices on each plate then grab glasses of water for both of us. We get settled with Frozen. At this point, I'm sure both Ev and I can recite this movie from memory, but she likes it so we watch it. Halfway through the movie, Ev's lost all interest in the movie and is just playing with her food now, so I tell her about my day.

  "Hey, Ev, guess what happened today?"

  She looks at me with a bored expression on her face. "What, Daddy?"

  "Well, I went to the coffee shop with the boys and saw someone…" I'm being specifically vague because I don't know how she's going to react to the news that I've invited Skylar to dinner with us. She looks at me with expectant eyes and does a hand gesture for me to continue. "Well, remember that lady who found yo—"