It's a Love Thing by Cindy C Bennett Page B

aside. She took a hesitant step closer,
put her hands on the side of the box, took a deep breath, and
peered inside.
    Her eyes shot to me instantly. "It's a
mirror."
    I laughed. "Yes, I know."
    "You want to go out with . . . me?"
She looked puzzled.
    "Yes. But I realize it means you'd
have to spend your Dag som—Day as a Human with me so if you'd
rather not, I under—"
    "Yes. I accept."
    "Really? Because I don't want to take
that away from you if you had other plans," I explained.
    "No. I can't think of a better way to
spend my Dag som en människa than with you." She beamed, and added,
"Thank you, Pete. I'm flattered."
    "Thank you, Tink, for everything." I
picked up the discarded ribbon and twisted it nervously around my
fingers. "Is tomorrow too soon?"
    "No, not at all. I'll have to talk to
Jaxton, but that should be fine. What are we going to
do?"
    "Bowling, for one," I suggested. She
laughed. "And definitely not a movie, for two. It's your one and
only day as a human, Tink. I want to make this special for you. We
can do everything you want to do." She started to protest, but I
cut her off.
    "I'll have plenty of time to go on
other dates, but you only get one day as a human. We are doing what
you want."
    "Oh, Pete, you are the sweetest." She
flew to my shoulder and gave me a kiss on the cheek. "I better get
going. I'll have Jaxton bring me here in the morning. I get a full
day, clear up until midnight. What time do you want me
here?"
    "Depends on what you want to do," I
pointed out.
    "A million different things." Giddy
with excitement, she flew around the kitchen aimlessly.
    "Nine a.m.?"
    "How about eight. I want to enjoy
every second."
    "Eight it is. See you tomorrow," I
laughed.
    She waved and disappeared.
    *****
    At seven fifty-eight the next morning,
Tink, along with a male faery, appeared in my bedroom. Dressed in a
tiny green business suit, I almost laughed at him. If it weren't
for the stern look on his face, I would have. For a little guy, he
was formidable. I didn't dare say a word as he sized me up. Tink,
of course, looked beautiful in her pink shimmery dress.
    "Good Morning, Mr. Pancerella," he
said sternly. "I'm Jaxton Williams. I'm here to discuss the
contract."
    "You can call me—contract?"
    "Yes. Since Tinkanova is barely
eighteen, a contract between the two of you is necessary." He waved
his wand. I noted it to be longer and thicker than Tink's and
wondered if it wielded more power. Remembering the painful zaps I
received from her wand, I didn't dare asked Mr. Williams in case he
decided to demonstrate.
    He flicked his wand and a small, yet
never-the-less menacing, document appeared on the dresser. I picked
it up with my thumb and first finger, noting the calligraphy-like
writing. Jaxton flew over next to my ear to review it with
me.
    "You'll need to initial each
statement."
    A pen with silver sparkles on it
appeared in my hand as he began reading.
    "I agree to abide by the following
rules in regards to Tinkanova-Marie Bellitoinski while she is on
her Dag som en människa. I will not encourage Ms. Bellitoinski to
disregard these rules and will do everything in my power to make
sure she abides by them.
    "'Number one: No alcohol.' She’s only
eighteen as I've already stated so it is illegal for her to consume
alcohol." He pointed to the little box for me to
initial.
    "I'm only eighteen too. It's not like
I can walk into a store and buy it," I said. He ignored me and
again tapped on the little square.
    Writing as small as I possibly could,
I squeezed my initials into the box. Jaxton spouted off the next
rule before the ink dried.
    "'Number Two: No illegal activities of
any kind. This includes but is not limited to: stealing, breaking
and entering, purchasing and/or ingesting illegal
substances.'"
    "I'm not a criminal, and I don't do
drugs," I barked. This stupid imp managed to get on my last nerve
in a very short period of time.
    "Sign, please." He tapped on the box.
I looked over at Tink. She shrugged her