A
ddi bounced up and down in her seat between Mommy and Daddy. She was eagerly waiting for the ponies to start their chariot race. She’d made a sign that said ‘Greystone’ in rainbow letters and couldn’t wait to wave it for him.
Mommy pulled her into her lap. “We missed you last night. I’m so glad you had a good time. How are you feeling about Damien’s kiss this morning?”
Addi mellowed. “I don’t know. I felt like a princess all night, and it made me feel really good inside. But I never want you or Daddy to think I’m cheating on you, or want something more. You guys are my everything.”
“Addi, it’s okay. We are not offended in the least. And, babygirl, we aren’t going to be able to meet your every single need and desire every single second of every single day. If you said you wanted to leave us to go be with Damien, we’d be hurt, for sure, but a prom fantasy kind of has to end with a kiss from the quarterback—or in your case, the prefect.”
Addi giggled and hugged Mommy’s neck. “Thank you. I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Mommy rubbed her back for a long moment.
“Hey, it looks like everyone’s lining up.” Daddy tapped them on the shoulders.
Addi jumped up and leaned over the rail. “Come on, Greystone! You can do it!”
The gun fired and off they went!
Addi waved her sign and yelled at the top of her lungs. “Greystone! Greystone! Miss Amy! Greystone!”
In the first lap, Greystone was in third, and Addi was worried he wasn’t going to make it, but slowly he gained until he was a whole head in front of the second place pony.
“You did it! You won!” Addi pushed past all of the spectators and ran down to the finish line. She threw her arms around Greystone and hugged him tightly. Then she gave him a cube of sugar she’d stowed away in her pocket. “I’m so proud of you!”
Daddy and Mommy raced after her, poised to scold, but Miss Amy hopped off the cart with a laugh. “I’m so glad we met you, little Penny. You’re good luck for us. And your zeal for life is contagious. I think in my next book, the little heroine will be named Penny, after you, is that all right?”
Addi nodded enthusiastically. “You’ll have to get my address from the people here so you can send me a copy when it’s done!”
“Penny! Don’t be presumptuous,” Daddy scolded.
But again, Miss Amy just laughed. “Why of course I’ll send you a copy. You need to proofread it and make sure everything is acceptable.”
After Greystone and Miss Amy were done with their duties as winners, they joined Addi and her family for a picnic lunch.
The rest of their day was spent in family activities. They were just so happy to all be together. That night, after leaving her personal contact info with the office in case Miss Amy or Cindy… or Damien wanted to keep in touch, Addi went to sleep, wistful that they had to leave the next day, but excited to get back to normal at home.
It had been the best week of Addi’s life, and she hoped they could come back soon.
The End