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Magnolia was jealous.  Jealous of a nine year old.

Not just one nine year old.  But a dozen of them.

Fifteen giggling girls in pink and black leotards, their hair hair cascading in renegade wisps from carefully constructed buns, had traded their tights for icing smeared cheeks and ballet slippers for aprons.  Sprinkles, candy and crushed chips crunched as Magnolia carefully stepped across Cici’s tile floor, her mouth hanging open.

“So, my birthday is in August…” she began.  Cici burst out laughing, setting down a tray of perfectly iced chocolate cupcakes.  “Tell me about it.  My daughter and even my son have already placed requests.”  She leaned forward, her eyes glittering.  “And I’ve already got parties booked for ten of the mothers…we’re full for the entire year!”  She squeezed Magnolia’s elbow, her eyes pricking with tears.  “Magnolia, this is amazing.  I was worried I wouldn’t make my rent for the year.  I was worried about how I was going to feed my kids, how I was going to send them to school.”  She turned, her admiring gaze traveling across the room.

“Because of Amaryllis, I’m not worried anymore.”  She fingered her golden friendship heart, sighing.  “I’m not worried at all.”  She turned, heading back to the kitchen for more cupcakes.  Propping her elbows on the register, Magnolia watched as Amaryllis bent down, speaking to a small girl.  The girl pushed her thin silver frames up on her nose, her brown eyes shining behind the thick lenses.  Over the giggling and roar of a dozen small pink mixers, Magnolia could only watch their lips  move.  Amaryllis smoothed back the girl’s hair, silver streaking from her ear to end of her ponytail.  With a wink she rose, her etheral blue gown billowing around her.  Clapping her hands, she turned.

“Girls!” she cried, instantly silencing the chattering crowd.  “Shall we have a birthday parade?”

“A birthday parade?”  The birthday girl, clad in a paper tiara sucked in her breath.  “Really?”

“Why, of course.  A parade of all parades!”  She cocked her head, listening towards the door.  “In fact…I believe they are coming now.”

Everyone turned toward the window.  Mixers hovered over bowls, knives paused on naked cake flesh.  Suddenly, the distinct ring of horses’ hooves rang through the air.  A white carriage pulled up in front of the shop as the sound of trumpets and flutes filled the air.

Bridget blew through the door, her auburn curls flying wildly.  “What is going on?” she shouted, nearly tripping over the trail of shrieking girls rushing out around her.  “The high school band is marching down the street, there’s a pink cadillac with a beauty queen…What is this, the 4th of July?”

“No,” Amaryllis informed her with a smile.  “It’s Wednesday.”  Grabbing trays of cupcakes, she went skipping out into the gathering crowd.  Cici hurried after her, a stack of business cards jutting for her apron.  She caught their glances and shrugged.  “So sue me.  I got three kids to feed.”  Plastering on a smile, she swept outside, her warm voice calling, “Who wants a cupcake?”

Magnolia started forward but Bridget grabbed her arm.  “Come on.  This is our shot.”

“Huh?” Magnolia replied elegantly as Bridget dragged her toward the back of the store.  “Where are we going?”

“The back way.  We’re going to sneak into her shop.  With all this chaos, no one will notice.”

Magnolia rolled her eyes, pulling her arm out of Bridget’s grip.  “That’s ridiculous.  We’ve done that twice and found nothing.  What’s the point?”

“The point is I went to see your uncle about these jewels, and found out a little secret.”  Bridget grinned at Magnolia’s expression.  “And I’ll only tell you if you go with me.”

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends!  We have a new recipe and review manana!  Stay tuned!

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