Drake Mann, also known by this stage name, The Great Mandrake, works part time as a comic magician. A young father, he also takes care of his older sister’s son, Davy. He goes to school to pick up his nephew, only to have him not walk out the door. Worried, he talks to the teacher, Amalia Capo.
Drake looked for Davy, but he wasn’t out yet. Poking his head in the room, he saw his nephew at his desk, hands folded in front of him.
“Is he in trouble?” Drake asked the teacher. He recognized her as the redhead he’d seen in the office that morning.
“No, he knew I needed to speak to you. He assured me this was the best way to get your attention.”
Drake chuckled, grinning at the young woman as he ruffled Davy’s hair. “I’m all yours. What do you need?”
“As you may know, the winter carnival is tonight.”
“I didn’t know.”
“Well, I was put in charge of organizing it and the main entertainment canceled on me this morning. Davy tells me you’re a magician?”
“Yeah.” He frowned at his nephew. “What did he volunteer me for?”
“Nothing. He said I should ask if you could fill in?” She opened big blue eyes, giving him the best sad puppy look in the world. She had to have practiced, it was too slick.
“Umm….”
“Please? It’s a paying position. Most things are voluntary, but I’d booked a clown for tonight and he insisted on payment. Then he called and canceled.”
“Did you pay him anything in advance?”
“No, thank God. The school won’t pay in advance.”
“Good thing. I’ll have to see if anyone can watch the kids.”
“Oh, bring them. It’s very kid friendly. I will personally watch your daughter while you perform. Then our class is singing some Christmas songs with the other second grades. He didn’t tell you?”
“He could have. I’ve been real busy. Sure. I’d be happy to.”
“Thank you! You’re wonderful!” She flung her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek.
Shelby hugged Miss Capo, kissing her cheek too. They stood in a little cluster, arms around one another, until Miss Capo blushed. She stepped away from Drake.
“I’m so sorry. You don’t know how much I’ve been sweating this. If you hadn’t said yes, I don’t know what I would have done. Probably gotten out my baton and twirled it for twenty minutes. Can you be here ready to go on at seven?”
“Yeah. No problem. I’m happy to help out. See you at six thirty.”
“Thank you again, Mr. Mann. You’re a lifesaver.”
“Call me Drake. You’re very welcome, Miss Capo. What flavor am I?”
“Flavor?”
“Lifesaver.”
She giggled, blushing. “What flavor do you want to be?”
“I dunno, what’s your favorite?”
“I was always partial to butterscotch.”
He nodded. “I like Wint-O-green. They spark in the dark.” He winked, giving her a crooked smile as he walked out the door.
Davy followed closely as they walked back to the car. “Were you flirting with my teacher?”
“What makes you say that?”
“The silly banter and the wink.”
“Banter? Where’d you hear that?”
“On television. Were you?”
“Was I what?”
“Flirting?”
“No, kid, we were just talking. Not every conversation between a man and woman is flirting.”
“I also heard on Discovery Channel, that flirting is a precursor to sexual relations.”
“Dear God! What show was this?”
“Something on human behavior.”
“Davy, that’s a tad mature for you to be watching. No more of that, okay? And don’t ask anyone else these questions.”
“Miss Capo said it’s good to ask questions. That’s how we learn.”
“Yes, but not about that. Don’t even ask Miss Capo.”
“Can I ask her about flirting?”
“No. She’ll think I was hitting on her. Please, don’t mention it.”
“You didn’t hit her.”
“Not gonna explain. When you’re older, I’ll tell you all about it. Not today.”
“Okay.” That seemed to satisfy his nephew.
© 2019 Dellani Oakes
Dellani Oakes 