Gracie and the Perfect Painting

Diya laughed. “People will laugh at me if I wear this”, Diya commented. “That’s the whole point,” replied Grace through her smile mask with bright red lips that looked like they were puckered up in a position to whistle. “We’re going to raise funds for smile masks,” stated Grace as she led Diya down the front steps. “Nanny and Nanny Pam are going to sew the masks, and I am going to paint smiles on them,” explained Grace. “We are going to ask the neighbors for some financial support,” Grace continued. “Do you think people will give money?” questioned Diya. “I hope so,” said Grace with a sigh. The first stop was the house of Mr. McCoy. Mr. McCoy owned the house where Kilo and Snowball ran through his pile of leaves. Grace rang the front doorbell and stepped back from the door. Mr. McCoy opened the front door and looked at the two girls wearing their smiling COVID masks. Mr. McCoy let out a thunderous belly laugh that shook his entire body. “Aren’t you girls a little early for Halloween?” questioned Mr. McCoy in between his booming belly laughs. “We aren’t here for Halloween,” responded Grace. “We are here to ask for money to make COVID smile masks so people can wear them and be happy again.” “Please,” injected Diya. Mr. McCoy stepped back, not knowing what to think about this unusual request. Then Mr. McCoy looked at the two girls and started to laugh again. Mr. McCoy reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. Mr. McCoy pulled out two $20.00 bills. “Here you go, girls. Go and make some more of your happy masks,” said Mr. McCoy with his outstretched handshaking with laughter. The two girls looked at each other in amazement.