My Name is Rapunzel(55)

Mr. Jenkins nodded. “I promise.”

“Pull your car down the lane and out of sight. Then meet me back here.” No need to have some fancy car sitting near my mailbox.

John parked his car behind a cluster of bushes. He strode back to me. “So, when do I get to meet the witch or see the dragon?” he asked. Why did he look like a kid on Christmas morning?

Oh, he was good!

“Oh, no, you don’t. You came to hear my story, not meet anyone or see the dragon.”

He looked about to protest, but that wasn’t up for discussion. “We can't stay here. Let's take a walk.” I turned toward the stream. It was well hidden within the forest, so if Gretta returned early, she’d never see us.

“So, you live here? In this castle?” John whistled as he looked over my home from top to bottom. “How many people live here? Where are your parents? How long have you written fairy tales?”

He would kill me with questions if I let him. What had I gotten myself into? “Look, I'm not used to being around people, so let's take this slow. We can take turns asking questions. How’s that?” Maybe that would force him to slow him down a bit and listen.

“Sure. Why not.”

He began with the ancient history. Stuff I’d already written to him about. Maybe he was trying to see if I would change my story? So I told him again of my early years then about how I met Gretta and our friendship. But for all that I told him about my life, I found John's life more interesting.

“I was an only child from a small family. My parents died in a car accident when I was very young. Only six, to be exact.”

“That had to be horrible.” John Jenkins and I had more in common than either of us realized. “What happened to you after your parents died?”

“My aunt Olivia raised me. She also passed away a few years ago.” John didn't have a girlfriend nor had he ever been married. He hadn't found the right person yet and thought he was too young to be tied down anyway. John had a good job that kept him busy and a few friends he called acquaintances. He didn't like crowds, loved the country, and had always wanted to learn to fly. The more I learned about John, the more I felt sorry for him. John was alone, like me.

He tried to get me to laugh several times as I answered his questions about me, but I wanted him to take my story seriously. I wasn't in the mood for laughing.

John climbed up the side of the steep bank, near the stream. He loved hiking and said it cleared his mind to be one with nature.

“Are you coming?” he asked. John stood at the top of the bank looking down at me and waited for my answer.

Had he lost his mind? I wasn't going to climb those rocks. I could fall. But there he was standing at the top with his hands on his hips like Peter Pan. I stifled a giggle.

“Don't worry. You won't fall,” John said. “Just do what I did.” I swear I heard him laugh. That was it!

He wasn't going to make me look bad. I could do this. “Just do what I did,” I mumbled and rolled my eyes. I rubbed my hands together then started my slow and careful climb. This must make me Tinker Bell. Men! Mr. Jenkins would pay for this.

I put my foot on the top of the rocky face and stood upright. I dusted my hands on my pants and considered my next words carefully. Mr. Jenkins was about to get an earful. I turned to face him, my temper at its peak.

“Can I see you tomorrow?” John grinned.

I sighed. “Sure. Same time.”





CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX




“Come on, give me a tour of the castle. What can it hurt? Gretta’s not home.” John’s blue eyes begged as he spoke. It was no wonder he always got his way. He’d been asking every day when we met by the stream. But I couldn’t. I didn't want to take any chances with Gretta.

“It's getting late!” I jumped to my feet. I’d gotten so caught up in my story, I’d forgotten to watch the time. The sun had already begun its descent. How could I have let this happen? This whole thing with Mr. Jenkins had been a mistake.

“It's barely even dark yet. I have no place to be, no plans.” His eyes darkened. “I'm sorry, I've taken up too much of your time. You must have a date.”

Had this guy lost his mind? Had he not listened to anything I’d been saying? “No! I don't have a date.” I stepped onto the path toward the castle. “It's just getting late and I must get home.”

“Oh, that's right. Because of the evil witch and the fierce dragon.” He chuckled.

He was laughing at me again? Too bad he looked so handsome while he did it.

“You don't believe me?” I planted my hands on my hips and stuck my chin out. All I'd told him, all the time we’d spent…wasted.