March Writing Challenge – Red Glitter Devil: Vignette 1

This month’s prompt is “He was sure the Devil created red sparkly glitter”. I had some inspiration and have created a series of vignettes related to the prompt. Here’s the first. Enjoy!

Photo from Pexels.com

“Daddy, more around the waist,” my daughter sang in a cheery voice from her pedestal. 

“Okay, just stay still Sammie,” I urged her but she couldn’t keep from swaying while Queen played in the background.

I moved around her, palming handfuls of red glitter along her stomach and back, trying to aim for the double-sided tape I’d found in the kitchen drawer and affixed hastily to an old red leotard. I’d put a tub under the pedestal to catch the glitter that didn’t stick, but a quick glance around the living room revealed red sparkly patches as far away as the kitchen.

“Daddy, do you think people at Vanessa’s party will like my costume?” She was still wiggling, but now looked down at me with wide green eyes and a little grin. Her horns toppled at the movement and the headband they attached to ended up covering her eyes. She looked like a bull ready to strike with her bright red mischievous grin.

I reached up to right the horns, sprinkling red glitter over her head. It settled in her hair, on her eyelashes, and along the tops of her pink cheeks.

“I think you’re going to be the best, most sparkliest, and mischievous devil at the party,” I told her.

Her grin turned into a full smile missing two front teeth. She took my cheeks in her palms and gave me a big kiss on the forehead.

Ten minutes later I had her nestled into a booster seat in my Camry, having given up trying to contain the red glitter to her body. We were already late, but I’d been a good single dad for once and called ahead to tell Vanessa’s mother we were on our way.

When we pulled up to a ranch house with a vegetable garden in the front, Sammie launched herself out of the car and ran up the walkway, a whirlwind of devilish sparkles. By the time I made it to the front door, Vanessa’s mother, Candice, had opened it and was already ushering Sammie into the entryway. 

“Hi,” I said.

Candice turned from the squealing Sammie and Vanessa to face me. Her eyes went wide and she clamped a hand over her mouth to stop the laughter I could see building across her face.

I sighed. I was at the center of every pity party and muffled howl of laughter from the mothers of Sammie’s friends. It happened at birthday parties and park play dates. It even happened once at a PTA meeting. I was the single dad who didn’t know the first thing about raising a 6 year old.

I sighed again. “Good to see you too, Candice. I’ll pick her up at 4.” I started to turn, but Candice grabbed my arm before I could storm off.

“Sorry Nate. It’s not… Just come in for a minute will you.” She was smiling now. It lit up her eyes. Usually she was the one who scowled at me the most, the only other single parent in the group. I got the feeling she thought I gave single parents a bad name and that everyone would lump her in the same category with me. As if that would ever be possible.

“Please,” she urged.

Candice led me through the entryway and into the hallway bathroom. She flipped on the light and closed the door.

“Listen Candice…” I didn’t know where this was going but she was still holding my arm.

Candice smirked. “Don’t get me wrong Nate, you’re very attractive, but a bathroom wouldn’t be my first choice.” She spun me around so I could see myself in the mirror.

I had two sparkly red handprints, one on each cheek, and a set of ruby lip prints on my forehead. I just laughed. What else could I do? The Devil loved red sparkly glitter, and the Devil loved me too.

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