The Tooth Fairy's Mistake Read online

  “I’m trying to, but this numbskull won’t oblige. At! All!”

  Her voice shook as she glared at the Presiding Elf.

  “You have to follow the rules, that’s all.”

  The elf continued to move papers around on his desk, looking down his nose as if they weren’t there. “No forms, no ID, no appointment, no see no-body!”

  He waggled a finger at the two fairies to illustrate his point.

  “I’m closing now. You can come back another time.”

  The elf put a ‘Closed Until Further Notice’ sign on the counter, turned his back on them and disappeared through a door behind the desk.

  The two fairies stared at the closed door.

  “Now what?”

  Round-eyed, Annabelle looked at Sara.

  “Look, we will arrange an appointment, but now you have to rest. You have another shift tonight, don’t you?”

  “Yes, I do,” said Annabelle. Flat, sad words plopped on the floor. “I have a shift every night. You know that.”

  Sara led Annabelle from the building. They walked across the road to a grove of trees. Hopping up, pulling Annabelle with her, Sara landed on a tree branch with a tangle of leaves piled together to form a bed.

  She pushed Annabelle down on the leaves and began to hum a lullaby. Annabelle was fast asleep in an instant. While she slept Sara, the Healer Fairy, wove a spell with words and music to restore her friend.

  CHAPTER 4

  Annabelle, sighed, stretched and looked around.

  Sara had left a bowl of Angel Soup waiting with a note: Sip this and think of all the children you have made so happy with your TEGs.

  She picked up the bowl, smiling, and sipped the nectar. Yes, she had made children happy with her Tooth Exchange Gifts. They never missed their teeth and some decided it was a good way to become rich.

  One enterprising young sir even tried to take credit for his little brother’s teeth by putting them under his own pillow. There were children who tried to forcibly remove their brother or sister’s teeth at the first sign of a wiggle.

  But Annabelle knew which tooth belonged to which child. That’s one thing that made a Tooth Fairy not merely good, but great.

  Annabelle’s mind flitted to Eddie. She must talk to him. Eddie was somehow involved whenever something went wrong. He wanted to help but he managed to be unhelpful most of the time.

  Annabelle found him in the glade.

  “Eddie, that is not the way to help me.”

  The little elf, his head hanging down, his throat tight and hard, couldn’t answer.

  “You must never, never go back to the Recording Room. And never get in the Collection Bag. Do you understand?”

  He nodded.

  “Eddie, you have to promise me. Anything could have happened last night. No one would even know where you were.”

  Eddie sniffed.

  “Promise me Eddie.”

  “Promise,” he whispered, studying his toes.

  Annabelle felt her heart soften toward him. He really meant well.

  “Oh Eddie,” she sighed. “If you would think first, maybe you wouldn’t get in so much trouble.”

  Eddie still refused to look at Annabelle. He used his sleeve to wipe his nose and sniffed.

  “Okay,” she sighed. “Better get moving. More teeth to collect!”

  Last night’s encounter with Molly Andrews was haunting Annabelle.

  How could she see me? And hear me, too? That isn’t right. I wonder if it’s because I’m so tired, or perhaps Molly has some special gift?

  Maybe she could help somehow.

  Annabelle decided to drop in on Molly to think it through. She hovered over the house. Curiosity got the better of her. She swooped down toward Molly’s bedroom window and, flattening herself, slid under the sill.

  Molly was asleep in her bed, exactly as Annabelle had left her the night before.

  With a soft fluttering of her wings, Annabelle settled on the pillow to watch the sleeping girl.

  “Gotcha!”

  CHAPTER 5

  Molly’s hand shot out from under the covers. Her fingers closed around Annabelle.

  “Eeek!” squealed Annabelle, “what are you doing?”

  “You won’t get away tonight. And you still won’t get my tooth!”

  Annabelle gasped for air. Her heart was beating so fast and with such force it was hard to believe that Molly couldn’t feel it pulsing.

  “You can keep your tooth.” Annabelle squeezed the words out. “I just came to talk to you.”

  “How can you be a Tooth Fairy and a liar?” Molly loosened her grip on the wriggling fairy. “You did not come to talk.”

  “All right, all right, I didn’t come to talk. I didn’t come to take your tooth either. I was wondering about you, that’s all. I mean, how can you see and hear me? You are human, aren’t you?”

  “Of course I am. Why is it so strange that I can see you?”

  “Nobody else can. Last night I sprinkled you with TDD and you still remembered. Will you please put me down?”

  “What’s TDD?”

  Molly tightened her grip on Annabelle.

  “Total Dis-remember Dust. It’s actually a combination of Forgetful Flakes and Slumber Slivers. You shouldn’t have remembered me at all.”

  “I’ll put you down, but you have to promise no funny business. No TDD when I’m not looking.”

  “What kind of Tooth Fairy do you think I am? If I give my word, I honour it. Put me down and we can talk.”

  Molly set Annabelle on the pillow, then sat cross-legged in front of her.

  “Did you tell your parents about last night?”

  “Hmmm, no.”

  “Why not?”

  “Just ‘cause.” Molly shrugged her shoulders and tossed her head. “I told you last night I could help you. This proves it.” Arms crossed in front of her, Molly sat up straighter. “Your dust doesn’t work on me. Why don’t you take me with you? I could help.”

  “Oh, I don’t think… Hmm. Well. It would certainly get their attention.”

  Annabelle, her chin tucked in her hand, thought for a moment then slid down from the pillow. She walked around Molly. After a few moments of indecision she said, “If you come with me you have to agree to do as I say. No funny stuff.”

  “Of course. Anything you say, fairy dear.”

  “Now how can we do this? Hmm,” she said, “you’re not too big, and I didn’t pick up many teeth tonight. I should have enough Triple F to get us both back.”

  “What’s Triple F?’

  “Flying Fairy Flakes. First, we have to open the window. I don’t know how good you would be flattened. I’m not sure if you can reinflate.”

  “Snap. Not sure I like the sound of reinflating anyway.”

  Molly scooted out of bed to open the window.

  “Okay. Let’s go!”

  A flick of Annabelle’s wrist and Molly was hovering over the bed. Annabelle grasped her hand, holding tight as they flew out the window and up into the starry sky.

  Chapter 6

  In the blink of an eye, they stood together at the entrance to the Hall of Information.

  “Gosh. That was great, Annabelle. Can I come with you all the time?”

  Eyes wide, Molly jumped up and down.

  “No! You may not! You’re not even supposed to see me.”

  Now that she’d had time to think, Annabelle worried she had made a mistake. A human child might not give the right impression in Fairyland. Writing a stern letter could have been a better idea.

  “Molly, you be quiet and do as I tell you or I’ll make all your teeth fall out right now, and keep them.”

  Annabelle delivered this threat with more fear for herself than any intention of carrying it out. A Tooth Fairy was supposed to bring happiness. It was in the rule book. It was the first rule in the rule book.

  “How about you let me handle the situation, Annabelle?”

  Molly was half-smiling with one eyebrow raise
d.

  “You keep quiet, let me do the talking. I won’t tell anyone you fell asleep on my bed and I woke you up.”

  “You little liar,” sputtered Annabelle, “I did no such thing.”

  She made a dive to grab Molly. At that moment, the door opened and the Grand Fairy herself came out into the sunshine.

  “Good morning, Annabelle. Who is this person, and why is she here?”

  “M-m-morning, Grand Fairy,” stuttered Annabelle a lump of fear in her tummy. Not pausing for breath, her words tumbled out.

  “This is Molly Andrews. She didn’t want to give me her tooth. I think I am losing my powers because she can see me. I am just so tired all the time. It seemed like a good idea for her to come and talk to you.”

  Wringing her hands, she tried to hold back tears. Her wings drooped.

  “Oh dear. You probably have TGF. I should have been more alert to it.

  “What is TGF?” said Annabelle and Molly simultaneously.

  “Tooth-Gathering Fatigue. And you are just the age to get it.” The Grand Fairy shook her head. “But what about this child? You simply can not bring humans here.”

  “Excuse me. Maybe I could help?” said Molly. “Not everyone wants to give their teeth away or even sell them. You should have some system to find out who wants to keep their teeth and who wants the cash.” She shrugged her shoulders. “The Tooth Fairy wouldn’t get so tired and everyone would be happy.”

  Both fairies looked at Molly, too surprised to say anything at all.

  “Besides that doesn’t work for everyone anyway, does it?” Molly said. “Grownups can lose teeth, but nobody gives them money. They have to pay the dentist to take them out and he keeps them. Unless,” she paused and looked at Annabelle, then the Grand Fairy, “do you collect from him, too, and give him money?”

  Her brow furrowed as she looked back and forth between the fairies.

  “Oh, Molly,” whispered Annabelle, feeling her insides sag. “Dentists make more than enough money. They are not interested in money from us. Please be quiet,” begged Annabelle. “Don’t be bold.”

  “You sneak into my room, to steal my teeth, and I’m bold for refusing to let you. Humph!”

  Molly’s violet-blue eyes were almost black as she glared at Annabelle.

  “This will not do.”

  The Grand Fairy drew herself upright and frowned at Annabelle and Molly.

  “We have a problem here and it must be sorted.”

  “I’m willing to help,” Molly said. “Why can’t I?”

  “Molly, shush, please.”

  A muscle twitched by Annabelle’s right eye.

  “My dear, you are human and humans do not fly…” began the Grand Fairy.

  “I flew here, didn’t I? Annabelle helped, but I got here. Why couldn’t you just give me powers like you have? I could be an RTF?

  “What’s an RTF?” asked Annabelle.

  “Relief Tooth Fairy. You guys like talking in initials so thought I’d throw in a set of my own.”

  Molly sniffed and put her nose a bit higher in the air for a moment. Lowering her chin, she looked at both of them. Her eyes fastened on the Grand Fairy.

  “I won’t sell my teeth, but you could pay me for helping. That way we’d all be happy.”

  “This was a bad idea.” Annabelle murmured. “Really bad.”

  The Grand Fairy stood watching them, a human child and a fairy. Not just any fairy, but a specialist, and now it seemed not just any child. Aloud she said, “I have to think what is to be done.”

  She took a deep breath in. “I will speak with the Grand Council. Annabelle, you may take Molly with you. I will meet with you before you return to work tonight.”

  The Grand Fairy gathered up her shimmering blue diaphanous gown and floated down the steps, vanishing in the nearby greenery.

  Chapter 7

  “She’s very sensible,” said Molly, watching the Grand Fairy disappear from view. She turned to face Annabelle. “I wish I hadn’t closed my eyes when we were flying. I didn’t see much of anything. Can we fly again? And what do you have to learn to be a Tooth Fairy?”

  “You are so annoying. I am sure your parents would be pleased to have you gone for a year or two. They would love the quiet.”

  “Oh. I never thought. What about them? I didn’t even leave a note.”

  Annabelle was surprised. She looked at Molly’s scrunched-up face. Perhaps the child did have some redeeming qualities.

  “Don’t worry. You could be here one of our months and it would only be a few minutes there.”

  “Wow! Amazing! If that’s right there’s really no reason I can’t stay and help you.”

  Molly was pleased with herself for coming up with this idea. “I’d better find a way to make The Grand Airy Fairy agree. It would be best all round.”

  Annabelle felt as if she was flying but suddenly had no wings and was hurtling through space. How could she make Molly understand?

  She led the way down the stairs and into the stand of trees surrounding the Hall of Information. Annabelle headed toward the pool in the meadow where she could relax and ease her tired body. She had more problems today than she’d had yesterday.

  “Wait for me. The Grand Fairy said I’m supposed to go with you.”

  Annabelle, with Molly behind her, pushed through the brush and emerged in a clearing. There was a large pool of clear water surrounded by green plants and hundreds of flowers.

  Fairies were everywhere.

  Some lounged in the low-hanging branches while others sprawled on the green carpet beneath solid-looking oak trees. Fairies brushed each other’s hair or twisted long tresses into braids and curls. Still others played in the pool while elves slid down oak leaves laughing, landing with a splash in the water.

  “Wow. It’s like being in church,” whispered Molly.

  “This is where we come to relax and rejuvenate.” Annabelle explained. Already the natural magic of the place was soothing her. “Fairies don’t sleep much, so we need time to rest.”

  “Annabelle.” Molly looked at the ground and bit her bottom lip, then said, “I know you think I’m a brat, but really couldn’t I help you?” She scuffed the toe of her shoe in the grass. “You’re tired and I am pretty strong.”

  Annabelle smiled at Molly as they wandered through the glade. Maybe the child wasn’t so bad after all.

  “That would be impossible. You are human. Most humans don’t even believe in a Tooth Fairy—especially humans who are older than ten or eleven of your years. Being a Tooth Fairy is an important, specialized job. Not everyone can be a Tooth Fairy.”

  “Why not? Seems pretty cushy to me. All you do is wander around picking up teeth and leaving money.”

  “Ah, but Molly, not everyone is strong enough to do it.”

  “You don’t need to be strong to pick up a tooth. They’re only little.”

  Annabelle moved to stand in the shade of an oak tree.

  “There are more types of ‘strong’ than physical strength that need muscles. It is not just a tooth we take, but also what it represents. The child is no longer a baby. He, or she, has become old enough to leave something personal behind.” She looked at Molly to see if she understood.

  “The tooth represents years of growth and tremendous learning. The innocent words the child tasted and tested all remain as memories in the teeth. Even more importantly, the memories of each race, or clan of people, reside in those tiny teeth. They have to be carefully guarded for those who come after.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  They sat beneath the towering oak tree and, cradled by the lush green grass, Annabelle began to explain.

  “Teeth do more than chew up food. There is great responsibility with this job because humans trace their ancestry, and soul memories through teeth. As well as express the new words each child forms.”

  “What do you mean – ‘soul memories’?”

  “Did you ever go somewhere you have never been and kno
w that place in your heart? Or hear a song and be able to sing along with it, never having heard it before? Or just ‘know’ something is supposed to work the way it does without having seen it before?”

  “Yes, I have. People think it’s strange when I do that, though.”

  “It’s not strange. That’s a soul memory.”

  “But wait a minute. If the soul memory stays in the baby teeth and we lose baby teeth, how do people get soul memories?”

  “Each human baby gets a set of recycled baby teeth. That’s something humans need to learn. Nature never wastes a thing. Anything can be remade to use over and over again.”

  “Hang on. We all sort paper and cans, and glass, and plastic, and bottles. We do recycle.”

  “You have only begun recycling, and then only if it is convenient and obvious. You need to get to the core of it to make a difference.”

  Annabelle’s eyes flashed as she stared at Molly. She took a deep breath, blinked her eyes and continued, “Once the child gets its first teeth the memories are woven into its soul for life. The original stays with the tooth for the next child. Each child must get the teeth of his particular race or clan. Our system has worked for thousands of years. That is how the wisdom of the generations is passed on. No human has ever known about it.”

  “That’s a great way to recycle.”

  “And now, because of my mistake, you’re here.” Annabelle sighed. “My family will be so disappointed.”

  “Why will your family be disappointed? Everyone makes a mistake once in a while. My parents told me that’s what forgiveness is about. Don’t fairies believe in forgiveness?”

  “Forgiveness?”

  That idea was puzzling to Annabelle. She only thought how she had let her family down, not that she might be forgiven.

  “Yeah, forgiveness. There must have been a mistake another time—at least once in all your history. Are all fairies perfect?”

  “Fairies have been around millions and millions of years. I’ve never known of mistakes, or a need for forgiveness.”

  Annabelle sat quietly for a moment letting her eyes wander over the glade, soaking in the healing energy of the green, peaceful surroundings.