Page Four

“I don’t like the idea of sending him alone.”

 

“He’ll be safe,” Beauty says. “I promise you that.”

 

“Why would someone buy the cow from him?”

 

“Because he’s a child. And from what I saw last night, a good child. Shockingly. He’ll get somebody’s compassion.”

 

“He’ll get cheated, is what he’ll get.”

 

“Give him a chance. He wants to help.”

 

She may be right. Jack stands in front of the cottage, holding the cow’s rope and looking eager. The village hates me, but they don’t hate Jack.

 

I kiss his head and wish him luck. Watch him trek down the hill until he turns the bend. Beauty has gathered up some rocks and carries them into the house with her. She turns them into a number of useful items, such as a second bed, a braided rug for the floor, a large soup pot. She checks my wardrobe and gives me two new gowns – a bit country-looking, but at least in bright colors, which I like. Plus some new shirts and trousers for Jack.

 

“Are you satisfied?” Beauty asked glumly.

 

I frown. “It all looks so… ordinary. Can’t you give me fancy stuff?”

 

“That wouldn’t be fitting. You’re not rich anymore.”

 

“Well, I could be! You could’ve turned those stones into piles of gold! Or made me a magic cupboard that always has food. Why can’t you get more creative?”

 

“We’re supposed to stick to the natural way of things as much as possible,” Beauty says. “If you had a magic cupboard, the first person who found out would try to steal it from you. You’d have to guard it, night and day, which would cause you constant stress. Same with the piles of gold. I’m not using extraordinary magic on you unless I have to.”

 

I look around at the new stuff, not hating it, just not excited. “Well... I’m afraid ORDINARY magic isn’t too satisfying.”

 

“Then think about what would be!” Beauty snaps, tossing a quilt onto the new bed. “I’ve only got until tomorrow to make you happy.”

 

“Oh, and then you FAIL?” I try to smirk but find I can’t. She’s leaving TOMORROW? What’ll we do then? Spend the money Jack gets for the cow, I guess. Then sell all this stuff she just gave me.

 

Then starve again.

 

Jack returns that evening with a proud grin that makes me hopeful. Until I see WHAT he’s accepted as payment for the old cow.

 

“They’re magic beans!” he cries, showing me five extremely ordinary lima beans in his hand. “A peddler sold them to me! If we plant them, we’ll never go hungry again!”

 

“Jack! Oh! Jack!” I’ve never screamed at him and won’t do it now. But I can barely contain my anguish. “Jack, these are just beans! Lima beans! These aren’t magic, sweetie!”

 

“Sure they are! He swore it!” Jack says.

 

I force my voice to stay calm. “Give them here.” Sensing my anger, Jack looks crestfallen as he drops the beans into my hand. I stand up, turning slowly, then hurl the beans at Beauty’s face. “Here’s what your BRAINLESS ideas have gotten me, you BRAT!” The beans pelt her and she flinches.

 

“Ma - stop!” Jack cries.

 

“Yes, stop. Your behavior is bothering your child,” Beauty says.

 

“It’s going to bother him MORE when there’s NO FOOD! NOW WHAT DO WE DO?”

 

“Calm… down,” Beauty says firmly. “I can give you the price of the cow.”

 

“NO! That won’t MATTER, don’t you get it? Unless you can give me piles of gold, nothing you do MATTERS! It’ll just run out!”

 

“You can make more money,” Beauty says.

 

“I CAN’T MAKE MORE MONEY!” I shriek and Jack dashes out of the cottage. I pace the floor, breathing fast. “You stupid PIXIE! What good is your FURNITURE when there’s no FOOD? I need MONEY! Money coming in on a regular basis, money I can depend on. I NEED A JOB!”

 

Beauty stares at me, looking enlightened. “You need a job.”

 

I won’t let her see me cry. But it’s in my voice. “Nobody here will employ me. Because….”

 

“Because everyone hates you,” Beauty says softly. “Um… listen. I want you to drink some water. Then go outside and apologize to your child for frightening him. Have your supper and get a good night’s sleep. And for goodness’ sake, calm… your… spirit!”

 

“What are you going to do?” I ask. But she’s already gone.

 

I do sleep much better, having the whole bed to myself. Jack took the new bed, of course, but I didn’t mind. I told him I didn’t mean to yell so much. And then we had a good talk about how to spot a swindler.

 

I’ve got his five lima beans on the mantel shelf. I glance at them in the morning. Maybe I’ll get him a little pot so he can plant them. He might like that, watching them grow.

 

Someone taps on the front door. I’m surprised, considering the sun is barely up.

 

It’s Beauty, which I anticipated. But I didn’t expect someone with her. Standing beside her is Mali from the Mountain Goat tavern.

 

“Good morning! Sorry for the early hour!” Beauty says to me, overly cheerful. “You must still be groggy so please, don’t speak at all yet! May we come in?”

 

“Oh, uh… sure.” I back away to let them in. Something is up. For one thing, Beauty looks HUMAN, without her wings and her glow. I know they can do that when they need to. For another, Mali seems different too. I’m just not sure how.

 

“This is the lady I told you about. I think she’ll be perfect,” Beauty says to Mali. “Her name is Lunilla.”

 

Mali gives me a friendly nod. “Glad to meet you, Lunilla. I hear you’re looking for work?”

 

“Uh… yes.” I’m overwhelmingly confused. Why is Mali acting like she doesn’t know me?

 

“I run a tavern with my husband,” she says. “We’re pretty busy and could use some help. It’s a rough crowd, but you look like a good, sturdy girl. Serve the ale, sweep the floor, maybe sing a jolly tune now and then. Can you sing?”

 

“I can, actually.” Mother had me take lessons years ago, realizing I have a strong set of lungs. I can belt out a song like nobody.

 

“Great! I’ll pay you fair wages, three days a week. If you’re a fit, we’ll move you up to six days. Sound good?”

 

“I uh… I have the boy.” I indicate Jack on the bed, half-hidden in blankets.

 

Mali smiles. “Not a worry, I have boys of my own. He could stay at my home while you work. Got a nice young lady, Jorinda, who looks after them for me during the day. Might be good for him to make some friends, you both being new to the area.”

 

In the first place, Jack has met Mali’s kids before. They’re his cousins. Secondly, we’ve been here for over two years.

 

But I’m starting to make sense of what’s happening.

 

“That sounds… nice,” I say. “When can I start?”

 

Beauty smiles.

 

“Why don’t you come down this morning?” Mali says. “I’ll show you around, tell you what’s what. You could start tomorrow.”

 

I nod. “Good – I’ll do that. Just give me a few minutes to wake up Jack.”

 

Mali waves a hand. “Take your time! Come down when you’re ready. I’ve got to rush back now and open up, so I’ll see you there. You can meet Dunder, my husband. He’ll be glad to hear I found someone.” She bustles out the door, calling goodbye to us, and thanking Beauty for the recommendation.

 

I give Beauty a curious look. “What did you do?”

 

“Stopped by the tavern last night. Made myself friendly to Mali, then told her I knew someone.” Beauty smiles. “Oh, and um… this entire village has forgotten who you are.”

 

I gasp.

 

“Yes - you got one burst of extraordinary magic. I’ve given you a fresh start. A clean slate.”

 

“No one will remember me?” I say in amazement.

 

“Only in this village,” Beauty says. “Not outside of it.”

 

“So… so they won’t hate me anymore?”

 

“Right. You’ll be a stranger to them. That doesn’t mean they won’t hate you later. You’re going to have to try this time to build good relationships with your neighbors. No more screaming at people. Think you can do that?”

 

I – I probably could. I suspect I’m going to like this job. A tavern girl tends to be the center of attention, and I enjoy that. Sure, it’s a HUGE step down from being queen, but… who cares, really? It’ll put food on the table for my boy.

 

“I’ve got to wake up Jack.” I go sit on his bed and stroke his hair until he stirs. We can walk into town and no one will cast dirty looks at us, or throw things. No one will know who we are, not even Dunder. He won’t even remember that he dragged me out of the palace. That will be such a comfort.

 

“Come on, Jackie. We’re going out.” I feel like I’ve been buried all this time under a rockslide and someone has just dug me out.

 

From the corner of my eye, I notice Beauty’s glow returning, her wings unfolding behind her back. I can tell she wants to leave.

 

“I did it for Jack – but you know that.” Beauty floats backward, toward the door. “Now tell me, Lunilla. Are you satisfied?”

 

I turn and look at her, shiny and bright, like a guardian angel in the doorway. I won’t smile, or even thank her. But at least, this one time, I can be honest.

 

“Yes.”