Page 221 of Naughty Nelle

Although I wouldn’t mind seeing Grimm come apart for once, he’s unfazed by her words.

“Sasperilla, I worked hard for my title; you, on the other hand, think you’re entitled. The truth is, you’re entitled to nothing. Not even to tomorrow.”

Grimm’s words shut Miss Bitchy-and-Entitled up.

“Would anyone else like to share?” asks Grimm.

“I would.” A giant lump forms in my throat. I’ve just uttered the two words I’ve most dreaded saying in group.

“What a joke!” snorts Sasperilla. “The selfish, self-centered bitch is actually going to share?”

Pinocchio springs to his feet. “You’re wrong! Jane is a beautiful, sensitive woman.”

“Like you’re an expert on women!” snickers the skinny bitch.

Poor Pinocchio looks like a hurt puppy. I want to rescue him.

“Sh-shut up, Sasperilla!” roars Rump as in her face as he can get without touching her.

She cowers in her chair. Thanks, Rump.

Slowly, I stand up. I clear my throat to free the words. “I have a problem. I’m addicted to beauty.”

I’ve finally said it.

“Puh-lease. That’s a problem? Every woman is,” sneers Sasperilla.

Pinocchio gazes at me with his soulful eyes. He gives me the courage to continue.

“My addiction to beauty drove me to do terrible things.”

“Can you elaborate?” asks Grimm.

“I tried to kill my stepdaughter Snow White. I was jealous of her,” I say tearfully.

The entire group is in a frozen state of shock. Except for Sasperilla who leaps out of her seat.

“I’m getting out of here before she does something terrible to me!” she shrieks.

Grimm shoves her back onto her chair. “Don’t move, Sasperilla!”

She shrivels like a child who’s about to get spanked.

Grimm refocuses his attention back on me.

“Jane, are you sorry you tried to kill Snow White?”

If he’d asked me that question when I first got to Faraway, the answer would have been a loud and clear “NO!” Now, I’m unsure.

“Well, Jane, yes or no?”

“YES!” I finally blurt out, sobbing uncontrollably. “I wouldn’t be here! Would I? I wouldn’t be so fu…” Sobs trump my words, and my voice trails off.

“Jane, you’ve made a tremendous breakthrough!” Grimm steps behind me and gently squeezes my heaving shoulders. “Group’s over for today.”

One by one, my fellow inmates follow him out, staring at me as I weep. All except Pinocchio who sits down beside me and holds my hand. My misery gives way to an unexpected lightness of being. Peace.

At dinner, I tell Winnie about my breakthrough. She’s all ears, and I’m surprised how much calmer I am. I feel closer to her than I ever have. After a proud hug, she eagerly tells me her news.

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