Grimm's Last Fairy Tale

by Becky Lyn Rickman

  Suddenly her head was throbbing and she decided to shower rather than to just wash her face. She undressed and stepped in and let the hot water beat down on her temples and shoulders. A massage therapist once told her that the upper back was the shock absorber for the body. This was certainly true now, particularly at this point in her life.

  She toweled off, put on yesterday's clothes, and decided to lie down for a few moments. She was exhausted from the trip and though she was anxious to get on to see Rachel, she needed to rest her body and mind before heading to the repair shop. She smiled at the thought that just days ago, she would have collapsed from this kind of pressure, but she really was feeling stronger than she had in some time. Maybe that was what she needed to concentrate on—fortifying herself for what was in her near future—a fight for her life without having to consider its effects on someone else. That last thought carried her gently into slumber.

  “Excuse me, Margaret, but we're having lunch. Are you hungry?”

  Maggie awoke a bit startled to Ronald's face right down next to hers.

  “Oh, Ronald, yes, I suppose I could use a bite. What time is it anyway?”

  “It's one o'clock this afternoon.”

  “Oh, goodness me, I've got to get a move on.”

  “I'll go downstairs and you come down when you're ready.”

  “Thank you, Ronald, I'll be down directly.”

  Maggie was so thankful for the nap and the edge it had taken off of her fatigue. She gathered her things, tidied the bathroom and made the bed.

  When she reached the bottom of the stairs, David was there to greet her and escort her into the kitchen. There was a palpable awkwardness between them and Maggie knew she had to clue him in, but that was a conversation to have after lunch.

  He pulled out her chair which faced the patio door. She saw the sun shining brightly and there was a gentle breeze blowing in through a slight opening. The combination made her itchy to get on the road once again.

  “What a lovely lunch you've made, Mrs. Clark, is it? I'm not sure we were suitably introduced.”

  “Yes, it's Mrs. Clark, and it's so nice to meet you. Both David and Ronald have told me such sweet things about you. I hope you won't have to rush off.”

  “Well, actually, I have to pick up my car at the mechanic's soon. I'm on my way to Virginia to see my daughter, Rachel, and her family. I'm kind of making the rounds to check in on each of my children. I just finished a visit with my oldest daughter, Rhiannon and her family.”

  “What a thoughtful idea. How nice that you visit them rather than expecting them to come to you with their little families. I always thought that would be wise. My grandchildren are grown now and beginning families of their own. Maybe I'll get up the gumption to do that myself one day.”

  “Yes, I recommend it, but tell them in advance. I'm kind of springing in on my children and I wouldn't encourage that. It's just what I need to do with them right now.”

  “Oh, I see.”

  “I don't mean to sound cryptic. I'm ill and I need to tell them and this is just the way I chose to do it.”

  “I'm so sorry.”

  “I didn't mention it to get sympathy. It's just the way it is. Anyway, let's eat, shall we? Then I need to be on my way.”

  “I do wish you could stay, but maybe on your way back through? We'd love to have you again.”

  “We'll see how things go. I am scheduled to start treatments soon, but I'll let you know.”

  “Good enough. Now dig in.”

  Maggie wondered why David and Ronald were not joining in the conversation. Was it out of respect for the matriarch. Maggie looked toward David for a clue and locked eyes with him once again. Oh, how she wished this weren't happening. She hated the smallness she felt about herself for what she was considering. She was considering her feelings not only for David, but also for Jacob and she was missing him and the repartee they shared. She broke the gaze and played with the chicken salad on her plate.

  “This is delicious. You must give me your recipe.”

  “I'll write it down for you after lunch.”

  “Thank you. I would appreciate thaaaaaa!”

  “Are you alright, dear?”

  “Yes, just a cramp in my leg.”

  More like a leather shoe. Maggie couldn't believe it. Was this man across the table, backlit by a beautiful day made suddenly gray, playing footsie with her? It felt like an assault and she gave him a squinty eye that clearly told him to knock it off. The foot went whimpering back to its mate and his eyes had a sudden urge to look down at his chicken salad.

  The table was uncomfortably quiet for a few moments until Ronald broke the silence.

  “Uncle David, we should give Maggie a ride to the car place!”

  “Yes, of course. Maggie?”

  The gaze again. What to do? What to do?

  “Yes, that would be lovely. Thank you.”

  Lunch was finished. Mrs. Clark began to clear the dishes and Maggie was ready to commence her journey.

  “Thank you so much for your generosity and kindness. I so appreciate not only the food, but the shower and the nap. It did me a world of good.”

  “Anytime, dear. You have David's number. Please call if you're able to stop in again. Have a blessed journey.”

  “Thank you again, and bless you.”

  With that, Ronald carried her bags and put them in the trunk and David got her car door for her. At least this women in this family, she thought to herself, knew how to raise gentlemen.

  “Do you have a card or something from them? What's the address?”

  Maggie gave it to him and they drove in more awkward silence to the shop.

  “Why don't I go in and check on it for you?”

  “Thank you.”

  Maggie turned to talk to Ronald in David's absence.

  “So, pretty funny that I know your uncle, isn't it?”

  “Yes. When he talked about Maggie, I didn't know your real name was Margaret. My Margaret is his Maggie. That's very funny.”

  “He spoke of me before today?”

  “Oh, yea, he talks about you all the time. He felt really bad about the accident, but he was happy too. It was kind of weird.”

  “Happy?”

  “Yes, all the time he talked about Maggie this or Maggie that.”

  This was not at all what she wanted to hear.

  David returned to the car with a grimace.

  “It won't be ready until tomorrow. They are waiting on a part. It should be finished around eleven tomorrow morning. I'm sorry, Maggie. I know you really wanted to get under way.”

  “Well, it's not like I have a real schedule. It is what it is. I'm just anxious.”

  “I know. So . . . back to the house then? You know you're welcome.”

  “I suppose so. It will spare me the cost of a motel and a cab. Thank you.”

  Chapter 27,

  in which Maggie's traveling plans are

  side-tracked and she has to endure

  the ridicule of explaining Jacob

  The idea of another night in that house brought a load of mixed emotions. It scared her a little bit that she would have to accept the idea of looking into those eyes again and at the same time, gave her a little, just a little, thrill.

  When they arrived, Mrs. Clark slapped her hands on her face and giggled.

  “Back already, girlie?”

  “Mom, her car won't be ready until tomorrow. I told her it would be fine to stay here. Isn't that right?”

  “I'm delighted!”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Clark. You make me feel most welcome.”

  Ronald grabbed her things and toted them back up to the bedroom and then the four of them sat in the living room staring at each other and fidgeting in their seats. Finally Ronald provided some blessed relief.

  “Hey, maybe we could play Monopoly!”

  “Oh, I don't know if Margaret would care to do that. I'm sure she has other things to do,” Mrs. Clark tried to spare Maggie
the discomfort of a declination.

  “No, really, that sounds like fun. I haven't played since I was a small girl.”

  Ronald jumped to his feet and clapped his hands.

  “Yay! I'll go get the game!”

  Ronald's childlike glee was refreshing against the backdrop of middle-aged angst that was sucking the oxygen out of the room.

  The four of them played the board game for the better part of the afternoon with Ronald taking the lead. For whatever challenges he suffered, clearly his CEO gene was not affected.

  “Well, I need to start some dinner.”

  “May I help?”

  “Actually, it's Ronald's turn to help in the kitchen. Why don't you and David just sit and chat. You need to relax before your trip tomorrow.”

  Maggie wanted to clue her in on the fact that relaxing would not be what she would be doing with David, but it would have fallen on hopefully deaf ears. When they had left the room, David was the first to speak.

  “So, long trip tomorrow, eh? You'll probably stop for the night?”

  “Probably.”

  “Come on, Maggie, let's address the elephant in the room.”

  “I don't know what you mean.”

  “I mean that we are attracted to one another but for whatever reason, you seem incapable of discussing it, much less admitting to it.”

  “David, I'm dying. Do you really think I have time or energy to put into starting a relationship.”

  “What if it's already begun? Tell me about Jacob. Are you involved with him? Who is he? You never got the chance to tell me.”

  Maggie cleverly avoided a lie.

  “I'm not currently involved with Jacob.”

  Without warning, Jacob appeared behind David and glared at her.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I'm trying to get to the bottom of us.”

  “I'm not talking to you.”

  “I'm sorry?”

  “David, I wasn't talking to you. I was talking to Jacob.”

  “O.K., I'm confused. Jacob is here? Aren't you a little old to have imaginary friends, Maggie?”

  “I'm sure you think you're quite glib, but it's time for the truth to be told. Jacob, please show yourself to David. You two can just duke it out and notify me of the victor. I'll just wait over in the corner.”

  “Margaret, you know I can't show myself to him. You're just making a spectacle of yourself. You know the rules.”

  “Are you serious? You're supposed to be here for me. Those are the rules and right now I need for you to verify your existence for David so he doesn't think I'm off my nut.”

  “Maggie, you're beginning to scare me.”

  “What's going on in here?”

  “Oh, great, now Mrs. Clark is going to think I'm daft also. Come on, Jacob, do this for me, please.”

  “Stop for a moment and try to imagine the ramifications of this getting out. There would be no need for faith or hope or magic.”

  Maggie just sat as tears began to make their way from her eyes and down her burning cheeks. Her lip was quivering, something that hadn't happened since she was just a tot. Now she had to think quicker than she had ever thought. What on earth could she say that could possibly fix this with the people staring at her with gaping mouths?

  “Jacob is my spiritual guide.”

  Ronald, who had walked in just before the conversation began, joined in the gawk-fest as everyone turned to look at the person on his left and then on his right.

  “I picked him up on an Indian reservation in Arizona a few years ago and he goes with me everywhere. It was very interesting, actually,” Maggie continued her attempt to placate the rest of the household, “You sit down with this medicine man and he lays his hands on your head and then you are kind of married to this spirit, but not in an earthly legal-type sense, more in a 'I'm with you forever' kind of sense. Better than a husband any day, I say.”

  She looked them each in the eyes for some sign of acceptance. Ronald was the only one who showed any kind of hope. Otherwise, there was maddening silence.

  “So, Jacob, these are my friends, David, Ronald and Mrs. Clark. Everyone, this is Jacob.”

  “Where is he?” Mrs. Clark was looking around as if she didn't want to offend him by looking in the wrong direction.

  “Over there, behind David.”

  She turned and nodded, “So nice to meet you. Boys, mind your manners. Say 'hello' to Jacob.”

  They chimed in unison, “Hello, Jacob.” The flat, cautious monotone did not help.

  Jacob couldn't hold his tongue.

  “Oh, Margaret, this is ridiculous. I just wanted to check in on you. When are you leaving?”

  Maggie now had to speak to the crew in a way that would answer Jacob's questions and not seem any more awkward than things already were.

  “Well, folks, I'm probably going to turn in early tonight. Long day tomorrow, starting when I hit the road at lunchtime. I want to get most of the way there before I stop and sleep. My plans are to check into a motel and then arrive fresh the next morning,” Maggie said very deliberately.

  “That sounds nice, dear.”

  So far, Mrs. Clark was the only one speaking. The boys were still staring at each other and then at their mother and then again to Maggie.

  Jacob responded curtly, “I'll see you tomorrow afternoon, Margaret. We'll talk then.”

  These were sternly spoken words from the specter.

  She let out an audible sigh of relief.

  “So, how's dinner coming? Something smells really delicious.”

  “It's pot roast with potatoes and carrots in gravy. I hope you're a meat-eater.”

  “Today I am! Sounds great. Should help me sleep really well. Ronald, you must be happy about the gravy part of it. I know how much you love gravy.”

  Maggie was quickly figuring out that filling the room with chatter was not making up for the earlier conversation. She put an end to the word vomit and waited for David to speak. He was such a take charge, assertive kind of fellow; surely he would jump in and pick up the slack.

  He did not let her down.

  “Maggie, would you like to help me set the table?”

  “Yes, I would, actually. Show me what to do.”

  They went to the hutch and David retrieved the place settings and Maggie set a nice table.

  “Mom, how long before we eat?”

  “About twenty minutes or so.”

  “Maggie, how about a little walk before dinner?”

  What she really wanted to do was to go upstairs and drown herself in the tub or at the very least, have another nap. But she had to be gracious to her host.

  “Lovely.”

  True to form, David took her hand and led her out the front door and down the sidewalk.

  Chapter 28,

  in which Maggie finds herself in discomfort and finally figures out that she doesn't have to explain everything in her life to everyone in her life

  Maggie retrieved her hand from David's and shook it.

  “Sweaty palms, sorry.”

  “Maggie, why do you insist on denying my affections? If Jacob is really just your spiritual guy . . .”

  “Spiritual guide.”

  “Fine, whatever. If he is just a spirit, why aren't you open to a relationship with a nice human guy who has feelings for you.”

  “What about my feelings?”

  “Please don't stand there and tell me you have no interest in me, because I'm not buying it. I know. I've seen you looking at me. I've listened between the lines. I know there's something there.”

  “You really are sure of yourself, aren't you?”

  “Maggie, you've given me clues. Don't put this all on me.”

  “I think we need to go back now. I've suddenly got a splitting headache.”

  David grabbed her by the shoulders as she made her turnaround and slowly moved in for a kiss.

  “Are you kidding me? First footsie at the table and then an uninvited kiss?”
r />   “Maggie, what is going on with you?”

  “David. Home. Now.”

  She marched ahead, having a sudden burst of adrenalin. When she reached the door, she turned the handle and walked in and straight up the stairs to her “room” and plopped herself down on the bed. A well-defined sob made its way up through her body and she let it rip, muttering through the gasps.

  “Clues, my eyeballs! I don't know who he thinks he is! Jacob was right!”

  The household, now almost certain of her impending insanity, let her be. They did not wait supper, but afterward, left a plate outside her door and did a knock and run.

  Maggie opened the door, took the tray to her bed and devoured the meal. She set the tray back outside the door and then locked it and whispered, “Jacob?”