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and I raise my eyes. I see a little foot housed in a plastic stiletto heel attached to a shapely leg poking through the slit of a stunning pink evening dress attached to . . . Oh my God . . . I am hallucinating. I blink my eyes and take a deep breath.
    â€œIt’s me. I’m here, really,” the voice says.
    â€œGoodie?” I whisper.
    â€œIn the shrunken flesh. I’m back and better than ever!” Goodie throws his arm over his head and does a hubba-hubba dance. Then he sashays up the keyboard in a bump and grind.
    â€œI’m losing my mind,” I say. “It’s an acid flashback. You always called yourself a fairy, but this is ridiculous.”
    â€œNo, it’s real. Wow, who knew? Who knew heaven was the Barbie department at Toys R Us. I’m living in the dream house. Too much pink but the layout is wonderful.”
    â€œWhat? What are you talking about?” I lean over and put my head between my knees and take deep breaths. I’m afraid I’m going to pass out, or maybe I already have. I’m having a stroke. That’s what it is. Lack of blood to the brain. Randall was right about those light flashes. Oh, Jesus, heart attack.
    â€œMaggie Magnolia, sit up and look at me,” Goodie says. I raise my eyes and Goodie is hovering at eye level.
    â€œGood God, you have wings!”
    â€œYes, aren’t they great? Gossamer with rhinestones. And this outfit—do you recognize it?”
    â€œNo,” I say, trying to steady my breath.
    â€œBarbie’s prom collection,” Goodie says. “I absolutely love the cut.”
    â€œSo you’ve been reincarnated as a flying Barbie doll?”
    â€œWell, not right away. I started off with birthday wishes, and, P.S., it really is true about blowing out all the candles, then Iapprenticed as the tooth fairy for a while. Not bad, but overrated. When I got a promotion to fairy godmother, I put in a request for you. And when they reviewed your paperwork, they put me on the case.”
    â€œAnd who are
they
?” I ask.
    â€œYou never actually see them, so I’m not sure. It’s all computerized,” Goodie says with a sigh. “The old-timers tell me that being a fairy has lost a lot of its charm, but I don’t agree. It doesn’t matter how it’s all done. What matters is why. And you are why, Mags.” Goodie flies closer and whispers in my ear, “They stamped you
urgent
.”
    â€œMe? Urgent? I don’t know why you say that. I am a-okay.”
    â€œMore will be revealed, Maggie,” says Goodie with a knowing wink.
    â€œMore of what?” I ask.
    â€œMaggie,” Sidney says, startling me. He is standing a few feet away, coffee cup in hand. “Are you all right?”
    â€œYeah.” I take a drag off my cigarette. I look at Goodie. He is fluffing his wings. Apparently Sidney is not having the same hallucination I am. Great! So I
am
losing my mind.
    â€œHow about the twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth of next month? It’s a Thursday and Friday at nine. It’s a good slot. We get a nice group of tourists. They’ll love you.”
    â€œCan I get back to you tomorrow?”
    â€œSure, but no later than that. I’ve got to book those dates.” He turns to leave.
    â€œThanks, Sidney.” I put the stool back where I found it.
    Goodie is standing on the piano grinning from ear to ear. “Good girl, Maggie,” he chimes. “I can’t wait!”
    â€œWhy can’t Sidney see you?” I ask.
    â€œBecause I’m
your
fairy godmother,” he says, “and I exist only for you. Isn’t that a hoot? Well technically I’m a guardian angel, but I told them you wouldn’t believe that—that ‘fairy godmother’ was more your speed.” Goodie jumps onto the keyboard and daintily skips up the scale. “I have to get back to Toys R Us. I’m having dinner with G.I. Joe. Can you believe it?