The Princess and The Jester - A.D. McCammon Page 0,3
was so sad when we lost our house after Daddy died. But I think moving from place to place is fun. Sometimes we get to sleep in our car, and it’s like camping out. She worries too much, says I need structure and security—whatever that means.
“I don’t want to live with a girl,” I grumble.
“Don’t act that way. You’re going to like Gwendolyn. It’ll be good for you to have a friend your age at school, too.”
“That’s gross, Mom. I’m not hanging out with a girl. They have cooties.”
“You might change your mind about girls one day,” she snickers. “Either way, you better be on your best behavior. Your daddy was friends with the Rhodes family. It’s very kind of them to open their home to us.”
“But I thought you said you were going to be working for them? They aren’t doing us a favor if they’re making you earn it.”
“We’re helping each other out. One day you’ll understand the importance of working for the things you want. Nothing worth having comes easy or free, sweet boy.”
She’s said that hundreds of times before. I think we could use a little easy and free in our lives, though. That’s what Daddy wanted for us, but things have been hard on her without him. I just wish there was a way for me to help her.
“Daddy said a good woman like you shouldn’t have to work so hard, that it was his job to take care of you. Since he’s gone, I’m the man of the family. Maybe Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes will let me work for them instead.”
Mom’s sad eyes land on me, her hand shaky as she reaches for the guitar pick secured around my neck. Daddy’s lucky guitar pick. She always gets upset when I bring him up.
“That’s very sweet, my love.” She clears her throat and focuses on the road again, wiping a tear from her cheek. “But there will be plenty of time for you to be a man. You’re only six years old. And I’m afraid there are laws against child labor.”
“No one would know,” I protest. “They could pay me under the table.”
I don’t really understand what that means, but a couple of places offered to pay her this way. When I asked her about it, she said it meant they wanted her to work for them without the government knowing. I’m not sure why they care who she’s working for.
Momma huffs out a laugh. “You’ll be too busy with school anyway.”
I groan, hating the thought of going back to school. “I’m almost seven, you know.”
“Did I tell you they have a pool?” Mom asks, completely ignoring me.
Her distraction works, and I perk up. “Really?”
I haven’t been swimming all summer. One of the motels we stayed at had a pool, but it was green and smelly like a swamp.
“Uh huh,” she hums. “And…we’re here.” She puts on her turn signal and pulls into a driveway.
My eyes widen as the house comes into view. It’s huge. The biggest one I’ve ever seen. “Oh my gosh, you didn’t tell me we were moving into a castle.”
Mom giggles. “It does look a little like a castle, doesn’t it?” She takes a deep breath as she parks the car, smiling at me. “Are you ready to start our new adventure?”
Nodding eagerly, I unbuckle my seatbelt and rush out of the car. Mom grabs some bags from the backseat before heading toward the front door with me right behind her. As we reach the door, a woman opens it, greeting us with a big smile.
“Hello, Lydia.” My body stiffens as her gaze slides to me. “And this must be little Nicolas.”
“Cole,” I correct.
Momma named me Nicolas after my dad, but everyone calls me Cole.
She gives my shoulder a squeeze—the only reminder I’ll get to watch my manners.
“My apologies, Cole. It’s very nice to meet you. I’m Nina.” She offers me her hand like I’m an adult, and I shake it as a man steps out behind her. “And this is my husband, Mark.”
“Hey there, little man.”
“I’m not little,” I argue, shaking his hand as well. “I was the tallest boy in my class last year. And the doctor told Momma I’d break height records when I was still in her belly. I’ll be taller than you one day.”
Mark chuckles, taking my mom’s bags from her. “You and Gwen are going to get along perfectly. Let’s go inside and see if we can find her.”