Page 26 of What Maple Heard

“I have always told you to go easy on the glitter,” I said.

“Yeah—“

“Not today.”

A pause. Then the room erupted.

“WAIT—“

“ARE YOU SERIOUS—“

“ALL OF IT?”

“As much as you want,” I said. “Every inch.”

I had never seen those kids move that fast in my life. Three weeks of trying to get them to hit their marks on time and today they were at that table in approximately four seconds.

Nancy appeared at my elbow.

She looked at the kids. She looked at the costume. She looked at me sideways.

“Why are you doing this to that poor man?”

“He deserves it.”

Nancy was quiet for a moment. She watched Devon and Marcus fighting over the gold glitter versus the orange glitter. Then she patted my shoulder.

“I don’t know what he did,” she said. “But Maple — if a man is willing to wear that thing in front of the entire town of Chestnut Ridge? I’d give him a second chance. I’m just saying.”

“Nancy—“

“You’re choosing not to see it.” She shrugged. “Everyone else can. He loves you. It’s very obvious.” She paused. “Unless he cheated on you, in which case, glitter away, go nuts, I support you fully.”

“He didn’t cheat on me.”

“Then—“

The door opened.

Cade came in. He was in a good jacket today, which I noted with some satisfaction given what was about to happen to his morning.

“Good morning, Nancy.” He smiled.

He had a beautiful smile, if I were being honest.

Then he looked at me. “Good morning, Maple.” His voice dropped slightly, the way it did when he was talking to just me. “You look beautiful today.”

I looked at him flatly. “Thank you. You’ll look beautiful too.” I gestured toward the table where eleven children were absolutely losing their minds over a pile of craft glitter. “We’re putting the final touches on Aurelia’s costume.”

He looked over. “Aurelia who?”

I looked at him. “You forgot already? Maybe you were too caught up in the moment when you volunteered. Maybe the words just came out.” I paused. “Maybe you didn’t mean what you said. Again.”

He held my gaze. “I meant it. I didn’t know the name was Aurelia. Nice name.”

“Right.” I nodded toward the table. “Then go and say hello to your costume.”

He walked over. I watched his face.