I Think My Fairy Godmother Drinks

Trust Me

We're so screwed.

The scent of fried chicken and expensive cologne followed Ashe home. While her mind was a thousand miles away, Ashe's feet guided her home. She came to a halt outside the duplex. The late afternoon sun was lowering on the horizon, staining the sky an array of pinks and oranges. She would find it beautiful if she wasn't facing a few ugly truths.

Nice Eddie had come to Happy Chicken just as her shift ended. An echo of her earlier fear clenched her stomach. He and his goons had more or less kidnapped her for a few blocks. Ashe had ridden in his stretch limo feeling like a cornered rabbit. It had occurred to her that she could disappear right now and no one would know where to start looking.

"Do you think I like doing this? I'm a businessman. I do business."

His words echoed in her mind. Businessman? How many businessmen made people who borrowed money from their "organization" disappear?

"Your father owed me money and that debt has fallen to you. I know a woman in your position doesn't have many options."

Ashe had known where he was going before he got there. You didn't need to be a genius to read between the lines.

"There's plenty of business opportunities for a young woman like yourself in my organization."

All she had to do was say "no". One simple monosyllable word. No. But what did she do? Ashe cursed to herself and kicked the base of the mailbox. It made a hollow metallic 'dong'. Instead of simply declining his offer, Ashe's mouth skipped ahead of her brain.

"That won't be necessary. You'll get you money at the end of the month."

What the hell had she been thinking?!?! There was no way to come up with that kind of cash in a month. Well...no legal way. Short of magical intervention, there was no way Ashe was going to be able to pay back Nice Eddie. In a month, she would find herself, her step-sister, and probably her step-mother in some unsavory den of iniquity.

"Where are those wish granting djinn when you need them?" Ashe muttered to herself, a sheen of tears blurring her vision.

"Will you settle for a fairy godmother?" A voice spoke from behind her.

Ashe spun around in surprise. Standing behind her was a small, lean woman with black hair and wearing ripped jeans. She was watching her through a pair of blue lens sunglasses.

"Who are you?"

A mischievous grin curved her lips. "My name is Tynder and I'm here to make all your wishes come true."

Ashe regarded her skeptically. "Uh-huh. And I was born yesterday." She turned around and headed up the driveway.

"Hey! Get back here!" Tynder materialized in front of her, scowl turning the corners of her mouth down. "Look I'm just doing my job. You have a wish and I'm here to grant it."

"What wish? I didn't wish for anything." Ashe retorted. Magic was expensive and the cost wasn't always monetary. She'd been taught to be wary of beings who came bearing gifts. Especially fey. They didn't exactly have a reputation for honesty. Ashe didn't live in a fairy tale where the above-average female lead met her Prince Charming and lived happily ever after because of a benevolent fey.

Tynder shook her head in disgust. "Humans these days. So unwilling to believe in magic."

Ashe snorted. "Oh I do believe in magic. The kind that brings only trouble."

"Is this a racist thing? Do you think just because I'm a few shades darker than light fey that I'm automatically up to no good?" Tynder snapped. "Look, it was one measly dead body that I had nothing to do with! I'm just here to do my job."

Ashe stared in open-mouthed shock. She'd gotten hung up on the 'dead body' comment. "What dead body?"

Tynder winced. "Yeah...that wasn't supposed to come out. Forget about the dead body, okay?" She waved her hands. "My job as your fairy godmother is to make your life better. Don't you want that?"

Ashe looked over her shoulder at the duplex she shared with her stepmother and stepsister. It's not that she didn't care about them, but honestly, she just wanted a break. She was tired of working. Tired of being the only breadwinner. Tired of shouldering the entire burden of paying back her father's debts. Tired of sleepless nights worrying about their future. Her own hopes and dreams had taken a backseat.

Helpless frustration built in her chest, tightening her throat. Tears burned in her eyes and threatened to course down her cheeks. She balled her hands into fists and forced the tears down. She took a deep shaky breath and looked back at her 'fairy godmother'...who looked more like a teenager on the way to a rave.

Tynder removed her sunglasses and favored Ashe with a sympathetic glance. The kid looked desperate and strung out. Full Cinderella? Tynder wasn't so sure. Remember...stick to the recommendation page, dear. Alcyone's chipper voice trilled through Tynder's mind. She scowled sourly. She really needed to find a better line of work. But for now...

"Hey," She pressed, softening her voice. "Look, I know things are rough, but I can help. I can give you a better life. Trust me. What's the worse that could happen?"

Ashe chewed her lip. Crippling debt to a mobster or deal with a mysterious wish granting faerie. Certain doom versus uncertain doom. It didn't take her long to make up her mind. Things could not stay as they were.

"Screw it." Ashe held out her arms. "Do what you have to do."