She hadn't been able to practice her magic tricks, and so she was unable to make any money. She had found it uncomfortable to sleep, her burns either alternately hurt or itched until she thought she would go mad. Even making a simple sandwich had seemed to be beyond her.
She probably would have starved to death if Sonny hadn't taken pity on her and brought her food to eat. Emily stared at her right arm and hand and slowly flexed them. She couldn't even really tell that she had been burned, her arm and hand had healed so well. She was very grateful for that small mercy. "I am terribly bad at this living on my own thing." she muttered to herself.
Just then her phone rang. "Hello?"
"He's back in town this weekend!"
"Who is?"
Sonny scoffed. "As if you didn't know perfectly well WHO I was talking about! Phoenix! You know--the guy who came to your rescue and you fell madly in love with at first sight!"
"I was delusional when I said that." Emily muttered. "Thanks for reminding me though what a thorough idiot I made of myself in front of him. He'll stay clear of the Park, that's for sure!"
"I doubt it!" Sonny said cheerfully. "From what you said, he sounds like a nice guy. I bet he checks on you just to be sure you are alright."
"Humph. Well, as fun as this conversation has been, I need to get to work."
"Go get him Tiger!" Sonny said with a laugh.
Emily shook her head as she hung up the phone. She didn't have time to indulge in such nonsense. She needed money to pay those ever looming bills, and as always, she needed it yesterday.
The day was sunny and warm and Emily felt her spirits rise. Today was going to be a good day. She just knew it. As she walked into the Park she was pleased to see that there was already several people hanging around chatting and playing ball. Hopefully they were in a generous mood. She fixed her hat a little more firmly to her head and set her jar down. Time to make the donuts.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! If I may have your attention please, I, the Divine Emily..."
She was interrupted by a chorus of voices. "Hey! It's that girl that set herself on fire!"
Before she knew it she was surrounded by a small crowd of curious onlookers. Including her friend Sonny. Sonny gave her a little wave and smiled. Emily sighed silently to herself. Well, maybe she could get this notoriety thing to work in her favor. An audience was an audience. And Sonny better tip well!
Emily found that today she was on fire. In a good way. All of her tricks were actually working out! She made a flock of birds appear from nowhere! She got that pesky wand to turn into a bunch of roses! The crowd was clapping and cheering, and best of all, donating to her cause. The Emily must have money to survive cause.
And then, there he was, smiling and cheering with the crowd. She got tunnel vision, and stumbled a bit through her cards trick. What in the world was Mark doing here in the Park?
She glanced at her friend Sonny, who looked the picture of innocence as she dropped some money into Emily's jar. "Tell me what you know and what you did!" Emily hissed at her when Sonny was within earshot.
"I have no idea what you're talking about Em. You're doing fabulous today, by the way!"
"Sonny...." she started to say, but stopped abruptly when Mark approached her.
"How's the arm?" he asked her.
"Er, well, the arm? Oh, my arm, it's great. Well, it's better. You can't tell I ever burnt it." Emily wanted to shoot herself, it might be less painful. Her tongue was all tied up and she was making a fool of herself again.
Just then the crowd seemed to realize who Mark was and he was swarmed by a bunch of people asking for autographs. He smiled and chatted nicely to everyone as he signed autographs. Emily plopped herself down on the ground, it appeared she wasn't going to make any more tips today. Sonny sat down next to her. "I hate you." Emily told her, without any heat. "Not even a warning! You work at Starlight Records, somehow you knew he was going to be here. You should have warned me."
"Well, " Sonny said,"In my defense, I did say he was such a nice guy he would probably come by and see how you were doing."
"That is not the same thing. I thought you were joshing me, joking around. How..."
Sonny moved closer so she could whisper in Emily's ear. "Well, I happen to be passing by when I overheard him talking to the Boss man about this girl who burned herself while doing this magic trick. Naturally I had to get closer and hear what they were saying. I knew they were talking about you. After all, how many girls burn themselves by doing a magic trick in our little Park?"
"Thanks a lot."
Sonny shrugged. "Well, it's the truth. Anyway, he was talking about how he wanted to find out how you were doing, but he thought you might find it kind of creepy if he just showed up at your doorstep. So I might have interrupted and volunteered the information that you would be back in the Park today."
"You did what!?"
"Yep, I did. I put my job in jeopardy for True Love."
Emily narrowed her eyes. "Sonny..." but she stopped short when she realized Mark was standing over her.
"Sorry about that." he said. "It's hard for me to go anywhere without getting stopped. Most times I don't mind talking to fans. Sometimes, it is a pain."
"No problem!" Emily stood up and brushed the grass off of her outfit. Sonny stood up as well.
"Are you busy tonight?"
"Me? No, no, I don't have, well, that is, I'm free." Shut up now Emily! She told her herself silently in her head. She could feel her face flaming up.
"I'm performing tonight at the Binder Clips Center. I was hoping you would agree to come as my guest?"
Sonny shrieked. "She would love too!"
Emily elbowed her. "Thanks Mark, yes, I would love to go."
"Excellent! Here's a pass, just show it at the front gate and they'll let you in." He pulled a pass out of his pocket and handed it to Emily. "Emily, you were terrific today. I'm sorry my presence interrupted your show, I didn't intend for that to happen." He leaned down and put some money in her tip jar. "You are so much fun to watch! I'm looking forward to seeing you tonight!"
Emily blushed bright red. "Thank you! I'm looking forward to seeing you tonight too."
Sonny waited until Mark had left. "See! I told you. He totally likes you!"
Emily pushed her friend and laughed. "You're crazy! He just feels sorry for me."
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