Page 104 of Biker Orc Baby Daddy
Cecie arrives pushing Orry's stroller, her apron already glittering in the early light. She's wearing a bandana printed with tiny lipstick tubes. Completely impractical. Somehow perfect.
"Morning," she says.
"Morning."
"Colum's already manic, I see."
"Been here since six."
"Of course he has." She parks the stroller. Orry's awake, gnawing a teething ring shaped like a calculator. I bought it yesterday. Cecie rolled her eyes but she let him keep it.
"Ready for this?" she asks.
"Absolutely not."
"Same."
We start setting up. Cecie arranges sample palettes on one side of the table. I organize pamphlets about tax-advantaged savings accounts on the other. The contrast is absurd. Glitter next to spreadsheets. But it works. Somehow itworks.
"You brought Clarence," Cecie observes.
I glance at my vintage calculator sitting beside the brochures. Cracked screen and all. "For authenticity."
"Or because you're a nerd."
"That too."
She grins. Starts unpacking face paint. "Colum says we're supposed to do a demo at noon."
"What kind of demo?"
"I do someone's makeup. You. I don't know. Calculate something impressive."
"That's not how finance works."
"Make it work. You're the genius."
Orry babbles. Reaches for a palette. Cecie redirects him with a clean brush. He waves it like a wand.
"He's going to be covered in glitter by the end of today," I say.
"He was born covered in glitter. It's his natural state."
The plaza fills up fast. By nine the pathways are crowded with families, tourists, people I recognize from the coffee shop and the grocer. Colum's set up a small stage near the fountain. There's a banner that saysPoplar Springs: Where Community Shines.
Subtle as a brick.
Our first visitor is Mrs. Lee from the herb shop. She peers at Orry with open delight.
"This the baby everyone's talking about?"
Cecie tenses. I feel it. "This is Orry."
"Gorgeous boy. Look at those eyes." Mrs. Lee leans in. "And that dimple. Just like his daddy."
Silence. Cecie's smile goes tight. I clear my throat.
"We're very proud," I say. Carefully.
