Collaring Cinderella

“Come on, Ella,” Edna told me, rolling her eyes. “You’re not telling me you’ll listen to her.”

“What else am I supposed to do?” I asked her in exasperation. “I need to be on my best behavior, so she doesn’t suspect I’m running away on that night.”

“I know,” she said. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little bit of fun since it will be the last day you spend in this town.”

“Edna,” I giggled. “What did you have in mind?”

She nudged me and winked at me.

“I think you should go to the ball,” she said with determination. “I really do. You said the ball is a masquerade?”

“Yes,” I nodded. “A Christmas masquerade ball, whatever that means.”

“It means it will be magical,” she whispered, whistling. “I’ve been to a few balls the Goldwyns have thrown, and they were always unforgettable. Trust me, sweetheart. You are going to love it.”

“But how am I supposed to go?” I asked her miserably. “I don’t have an invitation…”

“So what’s a little gatecrashing?” she asked with a smile playing on her face. “I’ve done it before.”

“Really?” I asked doubtfully. “Won’t I get in trouble for that?”

“I don’t think so,” she winked.

“But what about my dress?” I remembered. “I have nothing appropriate to wear… Nothing that would look good.”

“Well, that’s where I come in,” she said, taking my hand and leading me towards her legendary wardrobe.

My eyes lit up as she turned on the lights in the room, illuminating row after row of incredible clothes that hadn’t been worn in decades.

“Oh Edna,” I whispered. “Your dresses… I couldn’t take one of them.”

“You could,” she said. “And you will. Actually, I insist. We’ll find the perfect one for you, now come along, we don’t have all day.”

I giggled and let her drag me between the racks of beautiful fabrics, my fingertips touching the sequined material, the sheer tulle, the beautiful feathers. Her walk-in closet was what dreams were made of, and standing amidst the luxury of the beautiful clothes, I imagined, just for a second, that I could actually do this…

We spent hours upon hours going through Edna’s clothes, and I tried on dress after dress until we were both so tired from giggling and the sheer excitement, we settled down for a cup of tea. The fire in her small fireplace was burning bright, and the sound of the crackling embers was calming my frayed nerves.

“Edna,” I finally spoke up. “I’m sorry I’m leaving you behind.”

“What?” She raised her head to look at me. “Oh darling, nonsense. I understand. You need to get away from this place.”

The whole time, a small knowing smile was playing on her lips that I didn’t quite understand. I didn’t question it, figuring she was trying not to let me see how upset she was about me leaving.

“I’ll write and call all the time,” I promised her. “And you know I really will… I will miss you so much, Edna. I feel like you’re all I have in this horrible town.”

“Darling,” she said calmly. “I think you’re looking at it a little too negatively. I promise you the town isn’t so bad… It could be beautiful with the right person.”

Once again, her eyes sparkled with mischief, and I gave her a curious look as she drank her tea. But she wouldn’t meet my eye, playing innocent and like she didn’t know what I was getting into.

I set down my empty cup and got up from my chair sighing.

“I guess it’s time I headed back,” I said with regret. “Martha will be looking for me.”

“If you need anything, you know where to find me,” Edna said, hugging me tightly. “Don’t leave without saying goodbye, Ella.”

“I would never,” I smiled, blinking away the tears in my eyes. “You know I would never do that. You are my family.”

“And you are mine,” she smiled at me with a hint of sadness in her eyes. “Now go on, Ella. I don’t want you walking home in the darkness all alone. Go on. Go.”

She walked me outside and waved me off into the cold afternoon. It was already dark outside, and the scent of snow in the air was heavier than ever. It was bound to snow any day now, and I couldn’t wait for it, even though it could potentially mean trouble on my way out of the city.

I loved the wintertime.

And now, I had another reason to look forward to Christmas… Even though I was well aware that there was no future for me and Rafael Goldwyn.

But that didn’t mean I couldn’t have a little bit of fun for once.I WATCHED HER RETURN, HER shoulders hunched and her arms wrapped around her tiny body to protect her from the cold. And before I could stop myself, I stepped out of the car and rushed towards her, wrapping her in my arms that were so much bigger, so much stronger than hers.