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Mabel looked at the alarm clock, trying to focus her eyes on the time. Her alarm, set for seven, wouldn’t go off for another two hours, but she couldn’t wait. She jumped out of bed and put on her shoes. She was so excited about her new job that…

Oops, shoes on the wrong feet. Her tiny feet slipped out of the pale yellow slippers. She adjusted them to the right locations, and started wiggling her toes back into them correctly.

Oh, no. Oops again. Forgot the clothes. My, this was going to be a long day. Better to start over.

Mabel climbed back into her big bed, pulled the fluffy comforter over her head, and pretended to sleep. She practiced her best snoring sounds, smiled, and then lay still on her back, the soft pillow cradling her long curly hair. Her eyes flickered open, slowly. What was next? Oh, yes, the yawn and stretch.

Her hands came up from her sides, crossed her chest for a brief hug, and then went up over her head. She made a wonderfully loud, and completely fake, stretching noise, followed by something that was a cross between a yawn and a laugh. Ok, she was awake now.

She skipped to the bathroom and got into a wonderfully warm shower. As the water washed away yesterday’s fun, she sang her favorite nursery rhymes at full volume.

A half hour later, thoroughly drenched and voice starting to crack, she switched to humming and returned to the bedroom to piece together an appropriate outfit for the day.

Ok, Mabel. Start at the top. Shirts. Blue? No, not feminine enough for her first day. Green? Maybe, not not today. Pink?

Yes, pretty and girlish. Pink pullover? Pink t-shirt? Pink with buttons? No, not them.

Pink with flowers. And buttons. And ruffles! That was the one.

Pants were easy. Mabel only wore jeans, and all her jeans were the same. After the rigors of picking a shirt each day, she decided it best to have only one selection for pants.

But now she returned to the shoe dilemma. Standard fairy slippers, of course. But what color? Pink would make the most sense with this shirt, but would be really boring. The white ones were her favorite, beautiful and lacy. But with her job, they might get dirty. So black would have to do. They looked nice, too, and made her feel really professional.

Was her job supposed to be professional? Her mom always dressed nicely, so it must be.

Looking at the clock, she realized that it would be hours before the rest of the family would appreciate her excitement, so she quietly went down to the kitchen for some breakfast. She wasn’t very hungry, but Father always said the morning meal was most important, so she decided on some oatmeal. Shiloh and Chloe, her two cats, joined her, and she obliged them each with a bowl of warm milk. She sat on the floor, running her fingers through their soft fur, purring along with them as her oatmeal cooked on the stove.

After their meal, the three of them went outside, playing in the yard until the sun woke the rest of the family for the day.

Saturday Afternoon

Mabel waited all day for Father and Mother to be ready. They had lots of chores and errands, and Mabel wondered where they got the time to get everything finished. She finished her chores hours ago. When would it be time to start her job?
Mother finally came out to the garden, where Mabel had been looking at all the pretty flowers.

“Mabel, dear?”

“Hi, Mother. Is it time yet?”

“No, honey. It’ll be a few hours yet. But I wanted to go over a few of the rules for you, so you have some time to think and ask questions. Do you understand what is going to happen?”

“Oh, yes, Mother!” Mabel was grinning from ear to ear. “I get to be the tooth fairy!”

“Yes, dear. It is a long tradition in our family. We’ve been taking care of young people and their lost teeth for hundreds of years. Every twenty five years, the women in our family have passed this joyous task from mother to daughter. My mother gave it to me when I was about your age. Her mother did the same for her. And so on, for dozens of generations.”
Mabel considered that. She knew her mother and grandmother had been fairies, but didn’t realize it had come from a long line of her family. “Has it always been the girls, Mother?”

“Mostly. In the beginning, the Brownies held the honor, but when they ran out of sons, our line began, and we girls have held the honor for the past three or four hundred years.”

“That’s a long time!”

“Yes it is. It is a very special place that we hold in the hearts of the boys and girls. We help them grow up, a little bit, with each tooth they lose. We help them realize that even in loss, there can be good.”

“How long will I have the job, Mother?”

“Until you pass it on to your daughter.”

“Will you miss it?”

“Oh, yes. “ Mother’s eyes started to tear. “I love those little children. But I am getting older, and it has become more difficult to get through them all in one night.”

“Kinda like Santa, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but he only has to make the trip once a year. We get the privilege of going every night. Of course, we don’t have to go to every house, like he does.”

“That’s good.”

“But there are some things that have changed, that I need to discuss with you.”

“Really? Like what?” Mabel started to fidget. She knew this was important. Not only to her mother and their family, but most specifically to the job she would start today.

Mother sat on the iron bench, and motioned Mabel to join her. “Children are not like they used to be. I don’t mean that in a bad way necessarily, but it does take some additional care now.”

“In what way?” Mabel thought kids were kids. Teeth were teeth. How hard could it be? She tried to sit still, but noticed that her knee was starting to bounce. She hoped the lecture would not be too long.

“Kids have a lot more things than they used to. When I was younger, and especially from your grandmother’s stories, children had one blanket on their bed, and one pillow to sleep on. Their rooms were kept tidy, and it was easy to get in and out without any problems.”

“What’s different now?”

“Oh, my, it is much more difficult. Children sleep with sleeping bags, blankets, sheets, or some of each. Instead of one pillow, they have two to sleep with, and maybe a few more with animals or other pictures on them. Plus, there are lots and lots of stuffed animals on their beds.”

“I don’t see a problem. I sleep that way, too.” Mabel giggled.

“I know, honey. I’ve seen your room.” Mother chuckled, too. The sound helped Mabel to calm down, dissipating the serious air of their discussion.

“But it is more difficult to find the tooth when there are so many places to look. And the worst part is the floors of their rooms.”

“But we don’t put anything on the floor.”

“No, but we have to walk across the floor to get to the beds. Kids just have a lot more things, now, and they aren’t as strict about getting them put away before bed. Sometimes it is like a mine field walking through the toys. Especially the boys’ toys, because there are sharper if you step on one.”

“Ouch!”

“Yes, ouch indeed. I twisted my ankle once, and had to miss a day. There were a lot of children sad that night, although I did make it up the next night. It was sore for a week, though, and the nightly visits were very hard.”

“Okay. So I need to look hard for the teeth, and watch where I’m going. Anything else? What do I leave in place of the teeth?”

“Mostly we leave coins. You will need to use the right coins for each country, of course.”

“No problem. Where do they come from?”

“The Brownies Guild donates them for us. Often, they will get them from the parents, but sometimes they come from people who are well off, and want to make sure the kids are happy.”

“Cool.”

“Yes, it is a grand profession.”

Good, thought Mabel at the sound of the word “profession”. I picked the right shoes, the professional black ones.

“Well, when can I start?”

“In a couple hours.” Mabel’s heart sank. Another delay.

Mother continued, “After dinner, we’ll meet in the library, your Father and I, and send you on your way.. Can you wait until then?”

“Of course, Mother. I’ll help you with dinner.” That should help the time pass more quickly.

Mother took Mabel’s hand. “I know you’re excited, dear. It is a wonderful opportunity, one I know you will come to love and enjoy. Just be patient a little longer. All good things in their time, you know.”

“Thanks, Mother. Can we start dinner now?”

Mother smiled and gave her a quick hug. “Sure, dear. Let’s go.”

Saturday Evening

Mabel had waited for this night her whole life. It was almost time. She sat quietly in the library, listening to Mother and Father talk in the kitchen as they finished the dishes. It was almost time. She could hardly wait. Her legs were swinging in the chair, and she crossed and un-crossed her legs about a hundred times before they finally came it.

“Well, sweetheart,” Father began. “Do you think you’re ready?”

“Oh, yes, Father. Oh, yes.”

“You know that this is something you will be responsible for, by yourself, for a long time, right? No turning back or changing your mind.”

“I know, Father, “ Mabel said soberly.

Mother and Father sat on the love seat next to Mabel’s chair. Mother motioned to Mabel to join them. “Come over here, dear. I have something to give you.”

In her hand, Mother held a fine gold pocket watch. The gold was meticulously engraved with all sorts of swirly designs, in the center of which were two letters, “TF”. The chain was around Mother’s wrist, forming a bracelet so the watch wouldn’t be dropped.

Father explained. “This is the Tooth Fairy’s watch. It is the source of your power, enabling you to enter homes and serve the young children. As long as you treat the watch with care and love, and show the same love and consideration to the children, it will continue to work for you. “

Mother slipped the bracelet over Mabel’s right wrist, and placed the watch tenderly in her hand. “With this watch, I bestow on you the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of the Tooth Fairy, as passed to me by the generations of the family Faerth. Be kind and gentle, and it will guide you in all you do, and help you when you need it most.”

Mother and Father looked at each other, their eyes moist, and squeezed each other’s hands. Mabel wasn’t sure if she would laugh or cry, but for now she was too excited for either. She looked at the watch in her hand, and opened slowly.

It was as beautiful inside as it had been when closed. The hands were carved with swirls and curves, black, set in a brilliant white background. The time read 7:30.

“Is it time?” she asked quietly. For just a moment she dreaded the answer. Was she ready?

But only for an instant, ended by her Father’s pleasant, “Yes, sweetheart. It is time.”

Saturday Night

Mabel’s first stop was one of the houses Mother had warned her about. It was a nice house, not pretentious, and she could tell it was full of loving memories. The little boy who had lost a tooth, Noah, was eight years old, and slept in a bedroom with two of his brothers — William, who was ten and had just lost a tooth a few weeks ago, and Nico, who was six and still had a mouthful to go.

The room was a mess, Mabel thought. I’m going to have to start wearing combat boots if they’re all like this. She started slowly across the room. Noah was in the bottom bunk bed, snoring lightly as he cuddled a handful of stuffed animals. I know why my mom loved this job, she realized.

Suddenly, there was something sharp under her right foot. She tried to plant her left foot to take the pressure off, and stepped on something else sharp. She felt herself falling, and grabbed for the light pole, but it fell with her, tumbling on her as she hit her head on the low chest of drawers. Mabel fell in a heap in front of the closet, out cold.

Sunday Morning

Nico, as always, was the first one up in the morning. Not being totally awake, he was less observant than the others, and stumbed into the hallway with the normal “mommy” cry that woke his parents an hour before their alarm. He would not get another chance to meet the tooth fairy for several months.

But his cry awoke the other two. William sat up in the top bunk, and reached for his glasses on the desk. He was going to read for a while, but stopped as he adjusted his glasses. Someone was in the room. Someone he didn’t know. He climbed down into Noah’s bed.

“Noah!”

“I’m still sleeping. Leave me alone.”

“Noah, someone’s here.” As a bright and inquisitive boy, used to reading fantasies and stories of people he’d never meet, he wasn’t at the age where fear would be an issue. “She’s over by the closet.”

“You’re just dreaming, “ Noah said, amidst a yawn. He was still trying to sleep, but realized it might be a lost cause.

“No, really. I promise. Look!”

Noah rolled over. William was is his way, so he propped himself on an elbow and looked over his big brother. “Who is it?”

“I don’t know.”

Mabel started to wake. Her hands rose above her head, and she stretched lazily, forgetting for the moment where she was. This time, her luxurious stretching sound was real. But when her eyes opened, she sat straight up and looked around. “Oh, hi boys.”

“Who are you, “ asked William.

“I’m Mabel.”

“Why are you here?” asked Noah.

“Um, ‘cuz you lost a tooth. I’m the tooth fairy,” Mabel said calmly.

“Why are you here in the morning?” William asked, knowing the legends, and realizing that the tooth fairy visit was supposed to be at night.

“I fell. Tripped on some of this stuff on the floor. It was really dark last night.”

Will continued. “I didn’t think your name was Mabel. I thought it was Glinda or something.”

“No, she’s my great aunt from Oz. I see her every Tuesday for tea. Should I say hello for you?”

William, amazed, said, “Really?”

“Sure. No problem.”

“Your name should be MayBelle, then,” offered Noah. “It sounds better.”

“You’re right, Noah. Maybe I’ll change it.”

William, still recalling the legends, had another question. “Why aren’t you in fairy clothes? Aren’t you supposed to be in a fluffy dress or something?”

“My Mother told me I should look pretty, and professional. Don’t you think I look professional?”

“I guess,” said William.

“Except for the jeans,” noted Noah. Mabel looked down at her jeans, pleased with how they looked. Her Father wore jeans to work. But before she could respond, Will started talking.

“I think mom will want to meet you” he said; then to Noah. “This is probably an okay reason to wake her up.”

“If Nico didn’t already,” chuckled Noah.

The boys got out of bed, and, still unsure of their guest, walked around the room, as far from the stranger as they could.

“We’ll be right back,” William said.

“Okay, boys.”

They left the room, and Mabel considered her options. She wasn’t supposed to meet people, she was sure. That was against the rules. She didn’t think she could run past them fast enough to get away, especially with her ankle still sore from her plunge last night.

She felt a lump in her pocket. The watch. Her Father had said it would help her. She stood up and clicked her heels together. Take me home.

Nothing happened.

Wait, those aren’t the words. There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home.

Still nothing.

The boys were getting louder down the hall, and new voices entered the commotion. She had to hurry.

She pulled the watch from her pocket, slipped the bracelet around her wrist, and held it in the same manner as her mother had given it to her. She gently opened it. 7:30 again, this time in the morning.

Ok, watch, do your thing. Help me out of here. Still nothing.

But as she walked through the door to the closet, expecting to hide there, she felt it. A slight tingling all over. Then she began to dissolve, and as the boys enter the room he their parents, she was gone.

“She was right there, “ said Noah.

“I don’t see her, boys,” said their mother gently. “Are you sure you weren’t dreaming?”

“No, mom. I promise, “ cried Noah.

“I know I saw her,” shouted William. “I really, really did, mom. She was right there!”

Dad, always the practical one, asked the obvious question. “Did she leave you anything for your tooth, Noah?”

Noah went to his bed, and spent several minutes looking through the myriad of toys and pillows trying to locate the tooth.

“No, here’s the tooth,” he said, a sad look on his face.

“Well, boys, maybe she’ll be back tonight,” said Dad, heading back to the comfort of his own room.

Sunday Night

MayBelle stood in Noah’s room. As she expected, she had spent a good part of the day explaining to her parents why she had been gone all night, but hadn’t returned with even one tooth. In all the excitement, she didn’t even get a chance to swap Noah’s tooth for goodies. She had a lot of catching up to do tonight.

But standing here, she saw the room was totally different. The floor was completely clean, She could even see better, since a candle had been placed in the window. And Noah’s bed, last night a whirlwind of blankets and toys, was now completely changed.

He slept easily on his pillow, a single blanket covering his tiny form. All the stuffed animals were lined up at the foot of the bed, from smallest to largest. His special pillows were placed in a row against the wall. And peeking out from under the corner of his pillow was the plastic bag that held his tooth.

She tiptoed to the side of his bed, pulled out the tooth, and left him a special present, four gold coins. She wasn’t sure of their value, but knew he would appreciate them in the morning. It was more than she would usually deliver, but felt a special obligation to this boy, her first stop.

As she turned and walked to the doorway, she heard a whisper.

“Thanks, MayBelle.”

She looked over her shoulder, and saw Noah’s big brown eyes, barely open, staring at her. She turned back toward him and smiled.

“That’s a pretty dress.”

She had spent hours looking for new clothes after her discussion with Mother and Father. She now wore a light green dress, with lots of lace and frills. More like a fairy, she thought, smiling to herself.

She winked at him and whispered, “Thanks, “ in appreciation. He tried to wink back, but lost the battle with his sleepy eyelids. He was already asleep.

After a last look at all the boys, she grasped the watch in her hand, and thought, “Next stop, please.” As she walked through the doorway, she dissolved into the room of her next new friend.

She loved this job.