by Linda Dawley
“Each family has a specialty; healing, singing, storytelling, weaving, every kind of activity there is. My family has always had a talent for tooth gathering. We are able to get in and out quickly, quietly, and leave the TEG.”
She paused and smiled at Molly’s puzzled expression, “Tooth Exchange Gift. We didn’t always use money as the exchange. Before money there were other gifts, gifts that made the child feel important and special.”
Molly’s eyes widened. Her mouth formed a small O.
“From as early as I can remember my great-grandmother began teaching me. Some of my family have to be taught most of their lives until they learn how to use their gifts. It seems every few thousand years one of us is born with The Knowing and our lives are dedicated to Teething.”
A soft pink flooded Annabelle’s face and she cast her eyes down, “I am one of those. I’m considered a prodigy. From the first flutter of my baby wings I could retrieve and catalogue teeth.”
She looked up at Molly, the hint of a smile on her face. “My great-grandmother always said I taught her, she didn’t teach me.” She sighed and slumped forward, “And in all these thousands of years, I’ve never heard of a mistake.”
“Look, fairy dear, I had some part in this too.” Molly squirmed, trying to get more comfortable sitting on the grass. “I wasn’t exactly truthful with you. I wanted to come and see what this was all about. It isn’t all your fault.”
“Well, the Grand Fairy knows now. We have to give her time to work on it. I really have to rest before I go out tonight.”
Annabelle nestled down into the base of the tree and closed her eyes, inhaling the warm sweet smell of grass. In seconds, her breathing was even and her body relaxed.
Molly, her brow creased, watched Annabelle as she slept. She churned over the things the fairy had told her. Some questions were answered, but now she had more. Like, how long did fairies live, for heaven sake? If Annabelle was a hundred now, how old was her great-grandmother?
Why wasn’t Granny doing this if she had done it before Annabelle showed up? If Annabelle’s family was in charge of teeth, why didn’t one of them help her if Granny was too old? Where did they get the money to leave as the Tooth Exchange Gift?
The most important question of all was, how could she become a Tooth Gatherer? That sounded like a great job, no matter what Annabelle said.
CHAPTER 8
Annabelle opened her eyes. She felt calm and rested. Stretching out an arm, her hand touched the soft green grass that had been supporting and protecting her as she slept. She looked up at the canopy of leaves above her. Molly was sitting cross-legged on one of the highest tree branches, looking out over Fairyland.
Oh no! “What are you doing up there, Molly?”
“Just seeing what daily life is like. Looks pretty good to me. Maybe I’ll stay a while.”
Sighing, Annabelle stretched again, did a few ankle circles and with ballerina-like grace, stood up.
“You won’t be able to stay awhile, Molly. Now, behave and come down. I have to go to work. I’ll take you home on the way.”
“That’s not fair. I haven’t even been able to talk to Her Grandness about helping you.” Molly descended, monkey-like, until she was back on the ground in front of Annabelle. “It’ll be really cool to fly again. This time I’ll keep my eyes open.”
“Molly, you can’t help me. When will you accept that?”
“Annabelle,” Molly paused, then said, “I. Can. See. You. All of you fairies. And hear you. I can live very well here and I can keep up with you flying. When will you accept that?”
Standing with her hands on her hips, Molly tried to out-stare the fairy. She sucked in her breath, and whispered: “Annabelle, I’m the same size as you.”
It was true. Molly was now fairy-sized.
“Oh my,” breathed Annabelle.
“My back feels funny, just at the bottom of my shoulder blades. Like something is trying to get out.”
“Turn around.”
Molly turned.
“Oh my.”
“What’s the matter? What do you see? Why do you keep saying, ‘oh my’ in that breathy fairy voice of yours?”
“I don’t want to alarm you, but we have to find my friend Sara immediately. Come on.”
“What did you see? Do I have a cut or something on my back?”
“Molly,” Annabelle said, with a steel edge to her voice, “Come. Now.”
Startled, Molly started to follow Annabelle. “This is kind of cool. Being this size I mean. Everything looks different from this angle.”
Taking Molly by the hand, Annabelle flew through Fairyland looking for Sara. They finally found her with a group of elves. Sara and the elves were dipping strawberries in a large cauldron of chocolate.
“What are you doing?” asked Molly.
“Just helping the elves. They are a bit short-handed, so to speak,” Sara giggled, shrugged, then continued, “They end up falling in the chocolate because the pot is so big. Thought I would make them a few treats.”
“Sara, could I have a word?”
“Yeah, yeah,” Molly said, “off you go. Have your secret confab. I’ll help the elves.”
Molly stepped over where Sara had been and picked up a strawberry. The three elves standing by the cauldron kept their eyes on the strawberry going into the chocolate, but said nothing. Several others who had been lounging on the grass stood up and moved closer.
Eddie, the stowaway elf, walked towards the fairies, hoping to talk to Sara.
Annabelle pulled Sara away from the chocolate pot and said, “We have a problem. A big problem.”
“Sweetie, are you just twigging to that little fact? You brought a human child here. That is a problem. A big problem.”
“Not that one. She’s become fairy-sized and I think she’s sprouting wings.”
Annabelle’s face muscles twitched.
“Oh, goodness. I never even noticed her size. But I don’t see any wings.”
“She says her back feels funny. I can see a couple little bumps, which flutter now and then. Remember when our wings first started to show? They did the same thing.”
“I’ve never come across anything like this. Maybe Aunt Gertrude would know,” said Sara, her brow furrowed. “There might be something in the archives. But I doubt it. No one would record it if they did something like this. Cover ups happen all the time.”
“If we go to the Grand Fairy again I am afraid she’ll strike me from the list forever. How will my family bear the shame of it all?”
“First off, Annabelle, if you don’t stop screwing up your face and wringing your hands you will have nothing left of either of them. Your wings are so low they’re dragging on the ground—the tips will wear off. Pull yourself together before we have to ask the Patchwork Fairies to mend you.”
“I’m so sorry, Sara. Really. I just can’t help it.”
“Annabelle.” Exasperation leaked into Sara’s words as she rolled her eyes, “Saying you’re sorry doesn’t help either. We have a situation here and have to deal with it. Now let’s think.”
They were both quiet for a minute then Sara said, “I know! How about going to The Gnome of the Forest?”
“Sara, do you think things are that bad? He’s ‘The Last Resort’ consultant.”
“I’d say we have few options and those we do have won’t work.” Sara raised her eyebrows and using her fingers counted, “For example: one, erasing her parents’ memory so they think they never had a child. Two, erasing her memory so she never was a child. Or three, adding her to the fairy numbers as if she had always been here. Can you think of anything that would not be a Last Resort?”
“But that seems so drastic. I heard he ate one of the elves for annoying him. And whatever the poor elf did wasn’t even that bad.”
“What rubbish. Who told you that?” She flapped her hand at Annabelle. “Never mind, it doesn’t matter. We have to do something and that’s what I can think of to do. Look at that
child,” she exclaimed.
She and Annabelle glanced over at Molly laughing and joking with the elves. Chocolate-covered strawberries were piled on one side of the cauldron.
“She is really quite good, isn’t she? The elves seem to be having a good time. Maybe Eddie will stop trying to follow you around if she’s here.”
“Could be.”
“They’re even laughing. It takes a lot to win their trust, especially with chocolate involved.”
Sara watched them, remembering how long it had taken her to be accepted by the elves. And she’d known them all her life.
“She does appear better than she did when I first met her. There’s something quite sweet about her when she wants to show her true self.”
They stood silent, watching.
“She does seem to understand them, and almost have some sort of connection to them.” Head tilted to one side Annabelle gazed into the distance. “I wonder...”
“Oh, come on Annabelle,” Sara broke in, “we have to hurry if we’re going to see The Gnome of the Forest. He has short office hours and we’re not even sure of seeing him when we do get there.”
“We better get moving then. We don’t want to be caught in the forest at night.”
Raising her voice Annabelle called, “Molly, we have to go now.”
“Pierce my heart with a dragon’s tooth! Will you look at that?”
Open-mouthed, Sara and Annabelle watched as one by one the elves shook Molly’s hand then bowed to her. One of them presented her with a chocolate-dipped strawberry.
Round-eyed the two fairies looked at each other.
“They gave her chocolate,” whispered Sara.
“They recognize something we’ve missed for sure.”
Molly skipped over to the fairies and said, “Are all the elves here so sweet? Look, they even gave me some of their chocolate. Where’re we going?”
“They are sweet, aren’t they?” said Sara watching the elves, “When they want to be,” she added under her breath. She looked at Molly. “They must like you, Molly.”
Annabelle watched Molly. What did the elves see that she didn’t?
“We’re going to the forest to meet a wise man. Maybe he can tell us something about this situation.”
“What situation, fairy dear? Everything’s ‘duck soup’, as my Dad says.” Molly twirled around the fairies while she spoke. “I’m having a good time, the elves like me, Her Grandness isn’t bothered. Time isn’t a problem for me being away from home so my parents won’t worry.” She stopped in front of Annabelle. “Don’t know what you’re getting your wings in a tizzy about.”
Annabelle’s eyes narrowed, her body on high alert. Molly could be sweet when it suited her, and the child was still a major pain in the neck. Annabelle’s neck to be specific.
Afraid Annabelle might explode, Sara grasped Molly’s hand. “Come on, let’s get going. It’s not far but we have to get started.” She dragged Molly behind her as she scooted along the path.
“Why not just fly?” Molly asked.
Oh, for Heaven’s sake, thought Annabelle. Throwing her hands in the air, she followed them.
CHAPTER 9
The forest was dark. Tall leafy trees, close and watchful, chatted quietly together.
Most fairies didn’t relish going into the forest. The muted colours created by the filtered sunlight were too indistinct for the sun worshiping entities. Time in the forest could spark dark thoughts or fears believed long ago resolved.
Fairies, sensitive creatures, walked a fine line between worlds. They preferred a place with open spaces and few shadows. Lots of sun was best.
“We’re here,” whispered Sara
They stopped before an imposing tree with what looked like an archway hollowed out of the centre, and a massive wooden throne in the middle of the space. The high back of the chair showed ornate carved faces of people and animals jutting out as if they would come to life when necessary.
Annabelle thought one or two of the faces were interested in them. She took a step closer to Sara.
The arms of the chair were broad and glowing. The seat was worn, almost white, from centuries of being sat upon. The curved legs were short, the chair almost sat on the ground.
“What a great chair,” said Molly, smiling, “but why are the legs so short?”
“Shush, Molly...” began Annabelle
“The legs are short, because I am built close to the ground.”
A disembodied voice came from the back of the chair. All three jumped, taking an involuntary step backward. Annabelle saw first a hand then an arm and then a small wizened man appear at the side of the chair. Shuffling to the front, he lifted up a hip, and swivelled to a satisfactory position on the seat. A sigh emerged from his full lips. His eyes half-closed for a second.
He looked like the Dalai Lama without the robes, and was covered with grey-streaked, curly hair.
“What can I do for you three?”
Opening his ancient watery eyes, he scanned their faces.
Fear stuck in Annabelle’s throat and forced her to swallow repeatedly. She was dizzy and worried she would actually de-materialize on the spot.
Sara was just as discombobulated. She stood stock-still, her gaze locked on the man before them.
“Well!” Molly stood legs apart, hands on hips. She was staring at him and demanded, “Who are you?”
“It would appear I am the one you have come to see, as you did the traveling not me.”
“Are you a Wise Man? Because Annabelle said we were going to see a Wise Man. Is that like the ones that showed up when Jesus was born?”
A slow rumble started in the belly of the tiny figure on the throne. It grew louder and became a choking, sputtering cough. He was shaking and they glimpsed white teeth in his bushy grey beard. Could he be laughing?
Humiliation over-riding fear, Annabelle, her voice trembling, said, “Please, sir, she doesn’t mean to be rude.” She stepped forward and pulled Molly back behind her. “I think it is just her way. Molly’s human and should not really be here at all.”
“Ah well, should any of us be here?” He sighed and shook himself. “There seems to be a muddle here. Humans in fairy country, fairies and a human in gnome country, a Tooth Fairy in a distressed state... You’d better tell me the story.”
The three little people exchanged glances. “Go on, Annabelle, it really is your story,” encouraged Sara.
Annabelle sucked in a deep breath, gulped, turned back to The Gnome and explained why she’d brought a child to Fairyland.
She paused, then said, “I know. That was the worst decision I have ever made in my life. It was a huge mistake. I will be a disgrace to the Tooth Fairy family for eternity.”
Throughout Annabelle’s explanation Molly had been hopping from one foot to the other, Sara’s hand clapped over her mouth. She broke away from Sara and words exploded from her mouth.
“I had something to do with this as well. Everyone seems to forget that. Why is it all her responsibility?” She shook her head and stamped her foot. “It’s not fair. Maybe I have very good eyesight and can see what others can’t. Did anybody ever think of that?”
In her now familiar stance, hands on hips with her chin thrust forward, Molly shot defiant looks at the two fairies and The Gnome of the Forest. Her breathing was sharp and erratic.
The Gnome cleared his throat, and in a voice that seemed suspiciously merry for so grave a situation said, “Yes, you have a tricky situation here. You do both have some part in it.”
He seemed to sink into himself while staring at the forest floor.
Silence fell. Even Molly sensed it was time to be quiet.
After a few minutes, The Gnome raised his head and looked at the three standing before him.
“Why don’t you sit down and get comfortable? Then we can talk about this. If you think of the particular kind of seating you would like we shall see what we can do.”
Annabelle’s mind shot to a hammock slu
ng between two trees, Sara’s to a wicker basket suspended from a tree branch and Molly’s mind went straight to a wooden rocking chair with a high back. Before they could think again, the seat they wanted was beside them.
“How did that happen?” Molly’s voice was hushed with wonder.
“Sit, sit.” The Gnome waved them into their chosen seat, “Now. What makes you think this was a bad decision, Annabelle?”
Annabelle stared at him. She hadn’t told him her name.
“Humans don’t belong in fairyland,” she said. “They can’t fly and have no powers of magic.”
“Hmmm.” He turned to look at Molly. “And why did you think you didn’t have to let the Tooth Fairy have your tooth, but could do what you want?”
“They’re my teeth, I grew them, so shouldn’t I get a say in what happens to them? Besides there’s a lot more research done nowadays. The stem cells in baby teeth could be useful to me one day. They don’t give you much money for them.”
“What about you, Sara, just along for the ride, hey?”
“I’m curious as well as wanting to support my friend and the, uh, new girl.”
The Gnome of the Forest gazed into the distance and said, “What would make these circumstances come about? Annabelle, you think you have made a bad decision. Molly, you are excited and eager to learn. Sara, you want to help.” He looked at them. “I would say that sums you all up pretty well.”
They looked at each other, then at The Gnome. All nodded their heads.
“First, no decision is ever bad. Same as food, no food is bad food. Like ice cream, has a lot of good in it and tastes different than Brussels sprouts. Brussels sprouts have more antioxidant power. Then you have different meats and...”
He broke off, aware of their surprised faces.
“Harrumph. Well yes. Decisions. All the decisions we have ever made have led us to this moment. Your grandmother taught you that, Annabelle. Didn’t she?”
“Yes, but I didn’t really know what she meant.”
“Now you do. A decision is a road we choose. By choosing one thing, we reject another. The main obstacle is that you didn’t really think it through. But I dare say the same situation would have resulted.”
