Dear Reese,
Your teacher tells me you love the avocado I sent with you for lunch. This is not a surprise to me. She says you could barely wait and ate it ravenously.
I am still proud that I learned to cut open an avocado for you.
Love,
Mama
The Knight & The Cursed Forest, Part 12
Mr. Whiskers, a long-haired calico, answers in a deep voice. “We didn’t think we’d see you again,” His whiskers twitch. “I hope you didn’t come to cross this bridge. You may have cheated me once, but you know the rules — no one in and no one out until the curse is broken.”
“I’ve returned to break the curse,” you say, a little more confidently than you feel.
“Meow!” Mr. Whiskers laughs. “Ever since the day you floated down to us on that leaf, all you've done is let others take care of you. You break the curse. Meow!”
The duck nudges you and whispers, “This guy’s a jerk. How did you get past him last time?”
You don’t bother lowering your voice as you say, “I walked past when he had his catnap. It was easy.”
Mr. Whiskers gives a little hiss. “I don’t catnap anymore. Security has been doubled! Tripled! If you want to pass my bridge, you’ll have to do it the old-fashioned way.”
Of course. This cat always wanted a piece of you when you were growing up.
“Trial by combat?” you sigh.
“Yes,” Mr. Whiskers grins and flexes his claws.
To be continued.