She had only her memories of that astonishing time, as she perched on what was once the magical carriage which had transported her that night long ago to that fateful ball.   She sipped her raspberry leaf tea and reflected on the state of events that had led her back to her roots and ultimately to her peace.

          Yes, she had met her Prince Charming and yes, they had tried to make a go of it, but she soon realized that she preferred an unfettered life.   She had left the palace in spite of loving the Prince. Her overbearing and tyrannical mother-in-law would have kept her enslaved and downtrodden as she had once been before.   No, thank you!

          She lived alone and was free of the manipulation and control of her step-sisters and selfish stepmother.   She enjoyed tending the pumpkin patch and had no one to answer to.

          Now her days were spent as she chose, leisurely and lovingly tending her pumpkins, sipping tea and having all her needs met through her own hands.   The glass slippers, hung from a low tree branch–are a reminder of what she almost lost…again.

Entry for Bluebell Books:  Short Story Slam # 17:  http://bluebellbooks.blogspot.com/2011/12/short-story-slam-week-17.html