Page 196 of Naughty Nelle

CHAPTER 11

“Rise and shine, Jane!”

It’s great to hear Elz’s wake-up call again. Yet, it’s still a struggle for me to get up and face the sunshine despite being here almost a week. And truth be told, I’m still not one hundred percent over my caffeine addiction.

“Hurry! I need your help!”

I blink my eyes open. Elz is more cheerful than ever.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

“It’s Visitor’s Day. Mother will be here for dinner. I can’t wait for you to meet her.”

I’m confused. I thought she wanted to get away from her mother.

“Jane, will you help me pick out something to wear? I want to look my best.”

Okay. I’ll help. She’s thrilled with the dress I choose. Another version of the hideous Snow White costume she always wears.

“I wish I could see myself in a mirror!”

“Pretend I’m your mirror.” In a deep, put-on voice, I tell her she looks beautiful.

“You’re the best friend I could ever have!”

I think about my magic mirror and silently curse it. Why couldn’t it be there for me?

A hug from Elz brings me back into the moment. I’m happy how things turned out between us. Shrink will be proud of me.

“Who’s coming to visit you?” asks Elz cheerfully.

“No one.” I shrug. “I’m not allowed yet. I haven’t been here for a full week.” Though it feels like a lifetime.

“Look on the bright side as Winnie would say. Next week, you can have a visitor.”

Yes, maybe next week, that dumb-ass dungeon guard will show up. Or that whack-job judge. Of course, how could I forget? Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs! Come on! Who am I kidding? I have no one to visit me. No one!

Hold on. With any luck, I won’t be here next week. The thought of escaping brightens my spirits. Slightly.

The first person I encounter at breakfast is Hook. I’m still furious with him for pulling that stunt in The Enchanted Forest. Behaving as if nothing happened, he notices my bandaged finger.

“Yo, babe. Can I kiss your boo-boo and make it better?”

It happens to be my right middle finger. I shove it into to his face. He smirks, but I think he’s gotten the message. He turns his attention to Elz. Good.

“Elzmerelda, I must say you’re looking mighty fine this morning.” His eyes travel down her beanpole body with a few unnecessary stops. “What’s the occasion?”

“Mother’s coming! I’d love for you to meet her.”

“Wait till Mother hears what you did to me the other day!”

It’s Sasperilla. A thick bandage covers her swollen nose, and under her bloodshot eyes, she’s all black and blue. I bite my lip hard not to laugh.

Winnie, carrying a basketful of berries, lumbers over to us.

“My husband’s coming,” she sighs before popping berry after berry into her mouth.

Our resident expert on relationships is clearly dreading his visit. “Are your children coming as well?” I ask.

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