Page 42 of Finding My Charming

“Girls!”

Ari turned and made a face at me before facing my mother.

“I need your help! We had a few no-shows at the balloon-dart station. You two are running it.”

My normally pristine mother whose hair was always perfectly in place and was the picture of calm was standing before us wiping sweat from her forehead, and her hair was pulled into a bun. The last time I’d seen her this unkempt was the day before Beth’s wedding when a random thunderstorm hit and destroyed the location of her outdoor wedding.

“Sure, Mom. We’ll head over.” I looped my arm through Ari’s and led her away.

She took one last look before whipping her head around. “Geez. Your mom looks close to losing it.”

“You know she takes these things too seriously. She’s obviously past the point of thinking clearly. When do you think she’ll realize what she’s done to me?” I shivered.

Ari tugged her arm and pulled me close. “I’ll keep you safe and sound from the balloons. Don’t worry your sweet little head.”

“It’s not a joke! Globophobia is a real struggle for lots of people.”

“Yeah, sure. You’ll be in charge of picking up the darts and dealing with the people, and I’ll blow up and reattach balloons. See? No big deal.”

“You’re a good friend.”

“I know.”

The booth was covered, completely overtaken with disgusting little inflated balls of terror. Once things clicked with Mom, she would be running over here begging for forgiveness. Well, at least she should if she has a heart and loves me at all.

The backboard was already overloaded with balloons ready to have darts thrown at them and make the most disturbing noises in the world. I instinctively shivered again. Maybe I can trade with someone.

“Come on, Elle. I’ll protect you.”

I groaned and walked through the back of the booth. It was finally time for crowds to start rolling in. Hopefully people would skip this area. There were plenty of better attractions for people to see. Food trucks, a bake sale, even the chili cook-off would be more entertaining than throwing sharp objects at fragile, squeaky globes of doom.

Thirty minutes later, we had gathered quite a crowd, and the line was at least ten deep. What was wrong with these people? A nice bean bag toss just across the way, but no. Men, women, and children alike wanted their chance at making my life worse.

A particular shriek — I mean, laugh — drew closer, and I groaned as I handed the allotted four darts to the next guy in exchange for his dollar.

“Hey, sis! Having fun?” April strutted up in heels and a short dress, surrounded by a mini-mob of her followers. Heels? Really? We were in the middle of a park. On grass. Who did she think she was impressing?

“Hi, April.” I checked her hands then looked at her posse. None of them looked like they were working. “Why aren’t you helping Mom?”

“I am! We’re directing people to you.” Her evil smile grew. “She wanted to make sure the booths stayed busy, and I thought you could use the most help. Plus, the more customers that come, the more balloons that get blown up and stapled and popped just feet from you.”

The crowd grew behind her.

The next little boy stepped up and offered his dollar. I handed him darts and turned back to April with a glare.

“You did this?”

She cackled and turned to take in the throng. “Yes. I wanted to make sure you stayed busy.” She blew a kiss and led her group away. “I’ll keep them coming!”

I watched her disappear and looked down at the darts in my hand. If only—

“Not worth the arrest by Officer Lennon, Elle.”

“That’s debatable.”

“Hey! We’re ready,” said the next contestant.

I almost growled.