My Name is Rapunzel(74)

“I forbid you to go outside after dark!” Gretta's voice echoed up the stairway.

“You can't tell me what to do!” I yelled back at her, and continued upward. Ignoring her would be the best option from that point on. I had nothing more to say to her.

“You're going to ruin everything, you spoiled brat. I'll have to do things my way from now on.” Gretta yelled. Her words were nothing but empty threats. What could she possibly do? Kill me? If she did, she would die. Sentence me to an eternity alone? Oh, she’d already done that. There was nothing she could do to upset me tonight. Henry was alive, and I would find a way to be with him in any form. Nothing, not even Gretta, could stop me.

When I reached the tower all I could think about was Henry being alive. It was a miracle. Gretta might have cursed him, but I would rather him be alive and a dragon, than to be lost forever. Rummaging through my things, I wanted to pack and leave this place immediately. I wanted to be with Henry. Oh, how I wished I’d had more time to talk to him. We needed to figure this out. Why had I not listened to him? I should never have forced him to look at me. I was stupid! Maybe he could wear a blindfold when he was with me. Anything so we could be together.

I was too excited to go to bed, so I went to the window and scanned the sky for Henry. He was out there, somewhere, watching me, like he always did. I stood there for what felt like hours, then sleep overcame me and I found my way to the bed. I would surely have a happy dream that night.

“I love you, Henry.” I hugged my pillow as I drifted off.

***

I stretched my arms over my head and yawned. It had been a long time since I slept through the night without a nightmare. It would be a wonderful day. A day of decisions. Empowerment. If only I could see the future and know for sure what the right move was. Any wrong step…

I got ready as fast as I could. I had to go to the mailbox and wait for Henry to appear on the hillside. I might not be able to touch him from that distance, but I could at least see him. Maybe I could go to him, as long as he kept his eyes closed or averted. We’d have to make an agreement on how that could work. My heartbeat sped up as I considered the possibilities.

I stuffed a handkerchief in my pocket, just in case. I didn’t want him to accidentally look at me. I wanted to spend every moment with him that I could. We needed a plan.

I gathered a few things so I’d never have to return to this tower again. I wanted to be with Henry and nothing would stop me.

Wait a minute. Why did I need to leave? This was my home. It was time for Gretta to leave. Henry could live here with me and we would be happy together. We didn’t need to run away. We were home.

I couldn’t wait to tell Henry.

I rushed down the steps and entered the kitchen. The aroma of coffee and bacon pelted me. Gretta kept her back to me.

“Happy birthday, Rapunzel.” Gretta’s voice was low and gravelly.

How could I have forgotten my own birthday?

“Thank you.” I kept a wide berth around her as I reached for a biscuit. I couldn’t put it off any longer. I had to tell her. “Gretta, it’s time for you to leave. I no longer have need of your services. Pack your things and be gone by the time I return.” There, I said it.

Gretta laughed.

Has she lost her mind? What was so funny? “This isn’t a laughing matter, Gretta. It’s time for you to leave. I no longer want you living here. This is my home.”

“I promised your father I would take care of you, so I won’t be leaving. This is my home, too.” Gretta faced me, her jaw set with determination.

“No. This is my home, and it’s time for you to leave.” I spoke in even tones.

“I’m not going anywhere, dear, and you can’t make me.” Gretta laughed again. “Besides, where would I go?”

“I don’t care where you go. I want you gone.” The heat rose from my chest, up my neck, and made it to my ears.

Gretta had returned to her work at the stove. She seemed unfazed by my eviction notice.

“Fine, then I’ll leave.” I made my way to the other side of the kitchen. I needed to get out of there. I needed to talk to Henry. We would figure something out.

“You’ll not be going anywhere, Rapunzel.” If her voice hadn’t been so calm and self-assured, I might not have taken the bait. But something in her tone chilled me.

“What are you talking about? I can leave if I want to. You can’t stop me.” I just wanted to find Henry and wrap my arms around him.

“I believe I can.” Gretta hobbled to the window and looked out on the field. “What about that precious dragon of yours—or should I say, Henry?”