Page 3 of Masked in Deception
Knowing there is no room for me with all those stuffed animals, I sigh. I probably wasn’t going to sleep all that well tonight, anyway.
I turn, seeing her hopeful little face, and my choice is made. “Of course I’ll stay, Princess. Scooch over and give me some of your guardian plushies to keep watch over me too.”
She makes room, and we sandwich ourselves with stuffed animals on all sides. Finally, just as I’m about to drift off, I hear her small voice again, and her hand reaches across Sprinkles to hold mine. “I love you, Jackie.”
“I love you too, Princess.”
Chapter four
5 years old
I wait ten minutes after I see the light coming in from under my door go out, letting me know everyone has gone to bed, before I quietly make my way to Jack’s room across the hall.
It’s just Jack and me in this wing of the house since Mommy and Daddy’s room is on the other side. Ledger used to be in our wing too, but he moved to the third floor when he turned twelve. That’s where Henry’s room is too when he’s home from school. I like being away from everyone now because nobody complains when I practice piano in my room at night. Ledger never liked it, but Jackie says he doesn’t mind.
I started climbing into bed with him when I would get nightmares last year, but it was happening almost every night, so I decided to just go ahead and fall asleep with Jackie. I don’t know what it is, but when he’s beside me, I only ever have good dreams.
“Hi, Princess,” he whispers when I slip into his room. “Come get in.”
I scurry over and shimmy under the covers as he scoots across to the other side of the bed. His bed is always so much cozier than mine. And his room always feels so much cleaner.
“What story do you want tonight?Sleeping Beautyagain?”
Jack started trying to tell me jokes to get me to fall asleep, but we would laugh so hard it would keep us awake longer. Recently, he’s been telling me fairy tales, and even though I fall asleep halfway through, I love hearing about the brave princes who come to save the day.
“Ooo yes, please!” I squeal, kicking my feet in excitement.
“Shhh, calm down, silly.” He chuckles. “Do you think you’ll ever want another story?”
“Nope! Never!” I whisper. “Who could ever want a different story thanSleeping Beauty?”
“Why do you like her so much anyway?” he asks as he rolls on his side to face me.
“She’s the only one with a pink dress.” I think we have the same conversation every night, but I don’t mind. I get my story either way.
“Alright, Princess, here we go. Once upon a time…”
“Wait!” I whisper-yell, stopping him mid-sentence. “You forgot to tuck me in!”
“Oh my, how could I forget? Alright then, lie flat,” he says, tucking the covers in around my body like a mummy.
“Better?” he asks.
I nod enthusiastically. “Better.”
He gives me a little kiss on the top of my head and restarts the story.
“Once upon a time…” I listen to Jack tell me the story of the princess who didn’t know the stranger in the woods she fell in love with was her prince all along.
That’s not me, though. I know who my prince is, and it’s Jack. And one day, when I’m older, we’ll live happily ever after. Just like in the fairy tales.
Chapter five
13 years old
“Ledgerrrr! Stop skipping me! It’s my turn to be the hitter, and you and Jack have to pitch and catch!”
Margot’s whine echoes across the yard, and Ledger turns to me to roll his eyes. “Come on, man. Let’s go inside and get something to eat. I’m tired.”
