Page 93

READING IS A DRAG

Jason: Carl is in.

Bobby: Logan is in.

Chris: Which one?

Bobby: Junior and Senior.

Chris: Things are getting weird.

Amanda: Four more.

Bobby: Laurel’s boyfriend.

Amanda: Three.

Amanda: …

Amanda: Patrick agreed. Two more.

Jon: He doesn’t even live here.

Amanda: Technicality.

In only a few days, our plan had come together.

What started as a way to make a couple of bucks had snowballed.

When Chris’s agent heard about our efforts, she offered to leak the story to the press.

Amanda had already contacted a local reporter to cover the shoot itself.

Now, we just had to finish gathering the barrel-chested men of Firefly.

“And then she lived her gorgeous life, happily ever after.”

I had been so engrossed in our progress that I had missed half the story. I sat with the parents in the corner of the loft while the children sat cross-legged, hanging on Mabel’s every word.

“Let’s say thank you to Mabel Syrup,” Tyler said. His eyes darted from the children to Mabel and then to the half-dozen parents. He hid it well, but he was nervous about hosting his first drag story time. Mabel, on the other hand, she fluttered lengthy lashes, not giving a damn.

A boy raised his hand, grunting as he reached for the ceiling. Tyler eyed Mabel, unsure of how to proceed.

“Darling, do you have a question?”

The boy in his tiny overalls hugged a bright orange pillow as he nodded. “Are you a boy or a girl?”

Tyler stiffened and started to stand. Mabel put a hand on his shoulder, pushing him back to the floor. I looked at the boy’s mom, her face a mixture of horror and curiosity. The possible closing of the library had emboldened Tyler, but this was his fear come to life.

Mabel feared nothing.

“Honey, that’s a delicious question.” She rested her chin on her hand, a bright pink fingernail tapping her jeweled lips.

“Why decide? Some days, I feel like a boy. Sometimes I feel like a girl. Why choose?” She leaned forward in her rocking chair, hand held to the side of her mouth. “Today… I feel like a queen.”

She stood slowly, striking a pose. I eyed the parents. I could see the smiles breaking out on their faces. “Are you going to strike a pose with me?”

The dozen children jumped to their feet, copying her sass. She pointed past the kids to the parents in the back. “Kings and Queens, to your feet!” There was no point in arguing. Mabel Syrup had spoken. As she tossed her luscious locks back and forth, I got to my feet, mirroring her pose.

“It’s easier to give in,” I said to the parents. The moms found it amusing, but the three dads surprised me as they stood. “Look at your fierce self,” I said, giving one of them an elbow to the side.

“Will you read us another story?” asked a girl.

“Mabel has to make sure the unicorns in her kingdom are behaving,” she said.

“But if Mr. Bailey says it’s okay, I bet I can make time to come back.

” Tyler smiled at me before nodding. Seeing Tyler light up made me realize how much he needed this win.

“Well then, all we have left to do is pick out some books to go home.”

The kids scattered to the bookshelves, eagerly hunting for their next bedtime story. The gentleman standing next to me shook his head. “I wasn’t sure what to expect. This was not it.”

While Tyler and Mabel followed the kids, dragged by the hand, I was left to take the temperature of the parents. “Mabel has that effect on people. You think, here’s a queen wielding sass like a weapon. How could she entertain children?”

He nodded. “Something like that. The body suit with glitter was a bold choice.”

I laughed. “Bold? That’s her conservative business attire.”

The women on the other side were whispering far too loud.

“I wish I could walk in heels like that.” And then, “Think she’ll give me the name of her hairdresser?

” Mabel had won them over. Tyler would be glad to know ‘The Queen’s Reading Hour’ had been a success.

In any other town, this might have been a risk. In Firefly, it was an expected triumph.

The man held out his hand. “Tony. You’re one of Jason’s friends?”

I shook his hand. “Yeah. I’m in town?—”

“Hazel,” he said. “Good woman.”

He wasn’t a man of many words, but they still carried weight. “You come to the library often?”

Tony nodded. “Jason convinced me. You can say he helped me learn to love books.” He watched as his daughter held up a book to Mabel, who put on her best-shocked face.

“I didn’t know what to think when Tyler told us Mabel would be here.

Erika would never have let me say no. Unlike her dad, she loves reading. ” Tyler's work made this possible.

When I glanced at him, he had that stoic, fatherly pride face. He also had biceps that threatened to rip the sleeves of his t-shirt. I took a deep breath, trying to channel Amanda’s unbridled bravery. “Did you know the library might close?”

He frowned. “It’s a shame. Firefly doesn’t have much for the kids… or the adults.”

I rolled my fingers into fists, dreading the awkwardness. I leaned closer, whispering. “We have a plan to keep the doors open.”

“Why are we whispering?”

“I want to surprise Tyler.”

He scoffed. “Yup. Definitely Hazel’s grandchild.” I’d file away that conversation for later. “If there’s anything I can do, just say the word.”

“We’re making a calendar.”

He raised an eyebrow, not convinced of the plan.

“An adult calendar.”

It took a second before his eyes widened. Now, it was his turn to whisper. “Like…” He glanced downward. “That kind of adult?”

I nodded. “The sexy men of Firefly.”

He took a moment to process the idea. He glanced from the women back to me. “So I’m one of the sexy men?”

Uh. How did I answer that to a straight man? Especially one I was trying to get naked for a good cause. “Will you hit me if I say yes?”

“Nah,” he said. “But I am gonna go home and tell Nancy one of the gay guys called me hot.” He chuckled, easing the tension in my shoulders. Here I was in a library with a drag queen, children, and envious moms, trying to get a guy to volunteer his nudity, and he focused on my compliment.

“I said sexy,” I whispered back.

“Close enough.” He nodded. “If Nancy’s willing to share her sexy husband—” He shot me a sly grin. “—I’ll do it.”

That was easier than I expected. Go figure, I had game with a straight man, but not with the librarian complimenting a boy’s book selection. Tyler’s face was nothing but pure joy as he did a victory cheer with two kids. If I could be part of keeping that expression on his face, I’d try.

“I’ll have Jason text you the details.”

Tony walked up to his daughter, lifting her up in a bear hug.

She flailed as she tried to show off the picture book.

It was one thing to help Tyler keep his job, but seeing the delight on Tony’s face, I understood why this was important.

Watching Erika hold up her book like a trophy, I realized this wasn’t just about keeping the library open.

It was about keeping moments like this alive.

“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.” A woman scooted closer. “That’s a lie. I was

totally eavesdropping. Did I hear you’re doing a calendar for the library?” Before I could respond, she gave me a playful slap on the shoulder. I should have known it’d be impossible to keep our plan a secret. “How can we help?”

I turned, eyebrow raised. The other women were all nodding in agreement. “Is Mabel involved?” As usual, Mabel had won the hearts of everybody in the room.

“We’ll need help getting the word out.” No, we didn’t. It might be the only thing we didn’t need. The moment we leaked the information to Gladys, all of Firefly would know about the burly men bearing all.

“I’ll contact the PTA. Oh, and the bridge club.”

“I’ll let the gardener’s guild know,” added her friend.

“Okay,” Tyler said in a booming voice. “Everybody have their books? You know what comes next?”

“Checkout!” the children screamed in unison.

They had books raised over their heads as they followed Tyler down the staircase. Parents trailed behind, whispering their approval. As the noise vanished, I was left in the loft with Mabel. As her heels clacked against the hardwood, she threw an arm around my shoulders, towering like a giant.

“And you were scared.”

I gave a silent nod. I didn’t think Firefly was ready for a personality like Mabel Syrup, and?—

“Darling. Never doubt Mabel." I wish I could bottle her confidence. "Now stop being a coward and go chase your man-friend. If you don’t, I’ll see if he’s willing to climb?—”

“Simmer down, girl. I’ve got a plan.”

“Good boy.”

She lacked the gentle nudging of Firefly’s residents.

They’d have attempted to be coy and kill me with kindness.

Mabel lacked any semblance of subtlety, but she had a point.

Seeing Tyler’s expression as the kids’ faces lit up was priceless.

I wish I had my sketchpad. I knew exactly the portrait I wanted to draw and tuck away on his desk.

Mabel walked toward the stairs, and I— fell.

I had enough time to spot the wrinkle in the rug as I raced toward the floor.

Thud. I listened to the camera on Mabel’s phone as she snapped a photo.

She’d be on the phone with Amanda before the end of the night, commenting that my lack of grace extended beyond men.

I gave up and rested my head on the floor. “You go ahead. I’m just going to lie here and nurse my ego.”

“Better hurry.” She descended the stairs. “I’m not responsible for these wandering hands.”

Rolling onto my side, I checked for broken bones.

I might be a klutz, but at least I wasn’t a danger to myself.

I dug around in my pocket, pulling out my phone and breathing a sigh of relief.

The screen remained intact. Might as well let everybody know I scored a man to fill one of the two remaining spots on the calendar.

Jon: Tony’s in

Jason: Tony?

Jon: If he says I hit on him, he’s lying.

Jason: Well, I’ll be damned.

Amanda: One more.

Amanda: Oh, and I doubt it’s a lie.