Grimm's Last Fairy Tale

by Becky Lyn Rickman

  “Goodbye, David.”

  She hung up the phone and began to cry. The problem was, she had no clue why.

  Chapter 35,

  in which Maggie must set aside her fears, is surrounded by the

  ones she loves, and giddiness ensues

  Maggie's crying led to a headache and a night full of restless sleep, which was the last thing she needed. She had a wedding gown to purchase and this should be one of the happiest weekends of her life.

  She awoke with swelled eyes, stuff nose, and a crick in her neck that worked its way up into her head and caused a throbbing that was drowning out anything pleasant.

  “Jacob?”

  “Yes, dear?”

  “Have you been harassing David?”

  “What on earth are you talking about?”

  “David. He called me and told me that you had been bothering him. He said you were leaving him messages—messages just like you left me in the beginning. In books. With pencils point out passages. Did you do that?”

  “Certainly not.”

  “Then how could he have known? Don't even tell me that he could make up something like that.”

  “I don't know how to explain it. I can only tell you without hesitation that I had no part in what he's speaking of. I would never do something so base.”

  “I guess this is goodbye then. I don't know who to believe, so I choose neither of you. I'm done. I don't need this kind of silliness in my life right now. A real man and a spirit duking it out over me is not my idea of flattery. Goodbye, Jacob. I've already told David goodbye. I mean it.”

  Maggie meant it, once again, but for real this time, once again. She was through with men, once again.

  She washed her face, got dressed and went down for some oatmeal at the continental breakfast. They were out, so she splurged on a bagel with cream cheese. Then she returned to her room to write until noon when she would have lunch and meet Roxanne.

  The writing was going well, when Maggie realized she needed to check her journal for some notes she had written. She had learned years ago to keep a journal, not only the diary-type she had kept since her teens, but also to write down literary ideas. She emptied her bags and her suitcase and even her purse, but there was no journal to be found.

  Maggie gasped. She clinched her fists. David. She had last written in her journal at David's house. It had entries in it about Jacob. She had slid it under her pillow when Mrs. Clark knocked on the door. David had not only found her journal, but had been reading it, which left Maggie feeling angry as well as stripped naked. Her most intimate thoughts were in that book. Feelings. Insights. Thoughts no one else knew. She had to get it back, but she had a wedding this weekend. There was only one recourse. She called him.

  “David, I want my journal back now. I want you to get in your car and bring it to me and then I want you to forget you ever met me. I need that book now. Get in the car right this instant, while I'm on the phone, and bring that journal to Indianapolis. When you arrive, call me. I'll tell you where to meet me and I will have men with me. Big men. My son and sons-in-law who would love nothing more than to kick your boney little behind. Are you hearing what I'm saying? Now. Are you in the car yet? Do you have my journal and are you on your way to Indianapolis?”

  “Yes.”

  “Fine. I'll see you this evening. I'll wait for your call.”

  Maggie patted herself on her back for her assertiveness and then threw herself onto the floor and began to sob. She cried for the part of herself that was now exposed to someone unworthy of it. She cried for the meanness she had shown to Jacob and the resulting accusations. She sobbed for how easily she could turn her back on love once and for all and for how many times she had done it. She cried until she heard a knock on the door.

  “Mom? Are you alright?”

  “Oh, Roxanne!”

  She got up and unlocked the door.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I finished class early. I thought we could grab some lunch and head out. What's going on? Did someone hurt you?”

  “Yes. I did. I hurt myself. I have been so foolish and I'm just feeling it right now. I've made so many mistakes in my life.”

  “Mom, I have news for you. You're human. We've all done stupid things. I'm probably about to do another one now. I'm marrying a friend on the spur of the moment. But it feels right, so I'm going with it. Can you just forgive yourself and go grab a burger with me?”

  “Let me wash my face.”

  “Oh, please! You look like hell.”

  “Roxanne!”

  “Sorry. You look like H-E-Double Hockey Sticks. Better?”

  They laughed and Maggie got herself around, wishing somewhere deep inside that she had a moment to talk to Jacob, but that would have to wait.

  “Let's go find a burger and a dress!”

  They drove to a little campus joint and wolfed down greasy burgers, fries and ice cream floats.

  “Do you know where we can find a dress?”

  “Actually, yes. Don't ever tell anyone. You are sworn to absolute secrecy. You must promise to take this to the grave . . . Oh, mom, I'm sorry!”

  “Oh, girlie, we don't have time to worry about things like that. Please don't get maudlin on me!”

  “Thank you! Anyway, this is just between you and me, but I've been trying them on, hoping. I just had no idea he was feeling the same way and that it would happen so quickly. I have a dress picked out. I hope that doesn't ruin things!”

  “Not at all. To be honest, I'm whipped right now and I just want to see you happy. If you have one picked out that you're happy with, I'm delighted. But I do want to see you in it.”

  “Oh, yes, I want you to see it! It's gorgeous. But in a kind of understated way. You know me. Less is more.”

  “I know you. Can't wait to see it!”

  Roxanne in that dress took Maggie's breath away. She was stunning. She could have been wearing a feed sack and her glow would have made it exquisite. This was going to be a great weekend and she just had to put the last few hours behind her.

  “Oh, Roxie, you look amazing! It's a perfect choice for you!”

  “Thanks, mom, you really think so?”

  “Oh, yes!”

  “Mom?”

  “Yes, sweetie?”

  “I'm so happy! I'm sorry that things didn't work out for you, you know, romantically. But I am really, really happy.”

  “And so am I. I have no delusions. It didn't happen for me. But that in no way affects the happiness I feel for all of you kids. Believe me when I tell you that.”

  “I do believe you. Thank you!”

  “So, the rest of the family should be here this evening. I can't wait. This is a real treat. I mean, I just saw them all. And now again for this happy, happy occasion.”

  “I can't wait to see everyone. I've got butterflies. How am I supposed to finish my paper with this going on?”

  “You have a paper due?”

  “Yes, it's worth 35% of my grade. I'm almost there, but the deadline is midnight tonight.”

  “Get that dress off right now! Hand it to me. I'll pay while you get dressed. We've got to get you back to your dorm to finish this. This is too important to mess up! You can do it. You just have to focus!”

  “OK, mom, thanks for understanding! I love you!”

  “I'll entertain the troops tonight and we'll all see you in the morning. Can you just do me a favor? Call Peter and ask him where they're staying tonight.”

  “I don't have to. He asked me where you were staying and put them up there.”

  “Perfect. I'm going back there to wait as soon as I drop you off. We'll meet for a wedding breakfast in the morning.”

  “Great! I now this little all-you-can-eat pancake place. Pick me up at nine o'clock.”

  “I will, now get that dress off!”

  Maggie dropped Roxie off at her dorm and flew back to the motel to await the arrival of the people she loved most.

  When she got b
ack to her room, she remembered David and the journal. She called him for a status report. He didn't answer. She thought to herself how he had better be on his way and he better not disrupt her joyous weekend.

  She pulled out her laptop and tried to write, but the thought of the events of the weekend had her all scatter-brained. She realized how exhausted she was from lack of sleep and her general decline in health. She laid down on her bed and slept until the phone rang.

  It was Richard and his family. She told them to go ahead and check in and then come to her room. As soon as they arrived at her room, the phone rang again and it was Rhiannon. She had come with the kids, but her husband had to work and stay behind. She seemed a little put out by it, but was doing her best to disguise it. As soon as she hung up, a laughing Rachel called. She had run into Rhiannon in the lobby and they were giggling like the best friends they were. Maggie was so glad that they could spend some time together and hoped that it would take Rhiannon's mind off of the absence of her mate.

  Before she knew it, her room was full of joyful noise and kids jumping on beds. This is as it should be, she thought to herself.

  “Everyone, quiet a minute. This is all so sudden, but I'm glad that you could put your lives on hold to be with us for this unexpected celebration. However, Roxie has a very important paper due by midnight and will not be with us this evening. That being said, we won't let that stop us from having some scandalous fun.”

  The grandchildren all clapped their hands and the children rolled their eyes. They suddenly remember the mom that they grew up with and what trouble she could get into. Suddenly, they were gripped by fear until Maggie assured them that it would not involve anything illegal or immoral. Remarkably, it didn't seem to mollify them in the least.

  “Alright, but at one minute after midnight, Roxie is ours!”

  Rachel spoke for the other siblings who were busy scheming.

  “I won't stop you! First off, let's find someplace cheap and fun to eat. Then I thought we could have a good, old-fashioned scavenger hunt with family teams. How does that sound?”

  There was a resounding chorus of laughter and clapping and Maggie knew she had come up with a winner.

  They found a Chinese buffet and everyone sat and grazed until they were stuffed. While they were eating, Maggie was making up her lists of things to be found. This would occupy them for the evening and before long it would be bedtime, a time that Maggie couldn't wait for.

  The hunt took hours, during which Maggie sat in command central, her room, and took advantage of the quiet by working on her book.

  Rachel's family came in first, which was no surprise to anyone. For one thing, her children were a little older and for another, she had just as devious and fun-loving a mind as Maggie herself.

  Next—Rhiannon and her family, due to her extremely competitive nature. They all sat and told stories until Richard and his family came in and then it was time to call it a night. The children asked Maggie to tell them a story before bed and she obliged them, but rather than the usual Three Little Pigs or Rapunzel, she chose to tell them a new story, a story of a ghost who loved a woman and spent his days trying to make her forget some of the sadness in her life. The children were more mesmerized than the grandchildren and afterward, suggested that she write it down.

  “That's really a sweet story, mom, and one that I haven't heard before,” Richard encouraged her.

  “Yes, it is,” chimed in Rhiannon and Rachel.

  “You never know,” Maggie teased.

  Goodnights were issued and kisses and hugs abounded and all too soon her room was empty and quiet until she realized she had a message on her cell phone. It was David. He had left a message telling her that her journal was at the front desk. She ran downstairs and there it was, at the front desk, with a note inside:

  Dearest, darling, Maggie,

  I cannot expect you to ever forgive me for the discomfort I have caused you, but I hope that someday you will find it in your heart to do so. I have been a cad and you deserve better than that. For what it's worth, I had real feelings for you. This wasn't about the accident or some settlement. I was lonely and you came into my life and I just had hope of something better than the dismal

  existence I now live.

  My best wishes are with you always,

  David

  Maggie threw herself onto the bed, hugging the journal, glad to have it back in her possession and glad to have David out of her life. Somewhere in the midst of trying to talk herself into brushing her teeth and washing her face, she fell asleep, fully-dressed and smiling.

  Chapter 36,

  in which a joyous event is followed by

  a scary something which you will

  just have to read to understand

  Maggie was awakened by little knocks on her door and she opened it to a floodgate of little bodies fresh and ready to start the day. She promptly sent them back to their families and told them to give her thirty minutes and then to meet her in the lobby. She prepared herself for the day and then went down to meet them.

  To her surprise, Peter and Roxie had already arrived and all were looking famished. The entourage headed out, following Peter and Roxie, to the cute little train caboose diner, where they enjoyed pancakes enough to feed a small third world country. Maggie was so thankful for this time and for the circumstance that allowed them all to be in the same place at the same time and she prayed in her heart for many more such occasions.

  After they had finished, they all went to the mall to buy the children some matching clothing so that they could be a part of the bridal party. Maggie found herself a nice dress and when she looked in the mirror, she realized that she had lost weight and was looking a bit pale. She told herself to just try and get through the day and then she could get herself home. Once there, she could crawl into bed with the boys and not get out until she was good and ready to begin treatment.

  Everyone decided to go ahead and eat a nasty lunch at the food court since they were there. Then they headed back to the motel so that the younger kids could nap and the older ones could go for a swim. Maggie chose to nap herself. She was so tired and the excitement of the weekend was zapping what little strength she had. She couldn't let on to anyone, though. The last thing she wanted was to put a damper on the wedding.

  At five o'clock, everyone began to dress. Peter had taken care of flowers and ushers and an organist. He had left no stone unturned. What a man this was who had found her little girl.

  They arrived and Maggie and the girls made their way into the bridal dressing room and found a breathtaking Roxanne already dressed and anxious to begin her new life. The men took the children and sat down and waited. While the ladies were all doing last minute touch-ups, they heard the wedding march and found Richard waiting outside the door to escort Roxie down the aisle. Maggie and the sisters scurried to find their seats and waited breathlessly for Richard to deliver Roxanne to Peter. When that was done, the preacher began his part and then the couple recited their quickly-written vows to one another.

  It was a lovely ceremony. All of Maggie's children were now married and she was feeling a mix of relief and a tinge of uselessness, which lasted only until the grandchildren ran to her after the newlyweds kissed, making nasty noises and funny faces. They still adored her. Children have a way of letting you know that you are not obsolete, that you still matter. Maybe she had some things left to accomplish and some opportunities to be there for them when they felt like their families weren't.

  The family dispersed and changed into casual attire and met at the restaurant for the intimate reception. Peter and Roxanne clearly had people who cared for them, that was easy to see. Glasses were raised, toasts made, and wishes pronounced before the couple finally escaped to drive to the airport for their flight. Everyone else relaxed and enjoyed about another hour, sharing memories of Roxie's childhood and speculating what kind of life the two of them would share.

  Finally, the festivities ended and everyone headed h
ome, choosing to drive through the night while the children rested. This was a practice that Maggie had utilized when they were young and they continued the tradition. She was silently thankful for it this evening. She was more exhausted than she had ever been and she just wanted to sleep so that she could head home early in the morning.

  She arrived back at her room and packed the laptop so that it wouldn't tempt her to stay up later than she needed to. She turned on the TV for mindless noise and readied herself for a quick departure in the morning, and then remembered unresolved issues with Jacob. Oh, how he must hate her for all that she had put him through.

  “Jacob.”

  “What is it, Margaret?”

  “Will you forgive me?”

  “What for?”

  “It was David trying to connive his way into my life. He was reading my journal and in it was the the way you revealed yourself to me. He used it to try to turn my mind around. I'm so sorry.”

  “Look, Margaret, I am a specter who doesn't even feel mortal things like hunger or fatigue, but you have managed to change that. You have me exhausted from the on again off again rotation that you play at. I don't know how much more I can handle.”

  “I understand. If you can't do this anymore, then be off with you. I won't hold you back. I know you must have other patrons of your work to observe and woo.”