Daniella was almost impatient as they took her blood pressure and her temperature, put in the infusion lines, got her situated. She held out her arm and didn’t flinch at the jabs.

“Want to get out of here quick today?” the nurse asked with a smile. This was Erik; he liked blackberry jelly doughnuts. His boyfriend was in finance. He had a pet clawed frog that ate fish, and he always brought two autoclaved blankets for Daniella.

(Her parents were quick to learn everything they could about those who were taking care of their baby—and they always brought the right doughnuts for everyone from Throop Patties and Pastries.)

“No, I want to hear more about Rapunzel,” she answered with absolutely no embarrassment. “Brendan here is telling me his version of the story.”

“Now that’s a good brother,” Erik said with a smile. “I’ll leave you to it.”

After he was gone—and the machines began pumping—Brendan pulled out his sketchbook.

It was a surprise he had been working on all week.

“Look, it’s an illustrated story now!”

He held it out for her to see. Daniella leaned forward to study the pictures.

“Raps kind of looks like some sort of sixteenth-century French lady there, with her hair all up and all the little charms in it,” she said thoughtfully.

“Eighteenth century, but I take your point.”

“Whatever, history nerd. When she had her hair up, I sort of thought it would be more like…I don’t know, like a skater girl, but crossed with a witch. You know? Kind of gutter punk? More of those braids, maybe ones that look like serpents. No, wait, a fortune-teller, but with Rapunzel’s eyes and smile. Or an ancient priestess!”

“That sounds a little creepy,” Brendan said, turning to the next picture.

“Nothing creepy about the goddess—which, by the way, I do appreciate you putting in. Oh! Pascal and Flynn!” she cried, seeing what he had drawn. “Pascal as he’s supposed to be! Look at that face! That’s perfect. Hello, Flynn, you’re looking all right.” She waggled her eyebrows.

“Um, all right, ew,” Brendan said, quickly turning to the last one. It was Gina and her mother, and Captain Tregsburg.

“Where’s Maximus?” Daniella demanded, chin out.

“Oh, come on. Just tell me—do they look like you imagined?”

“Yeah, exactly, no question,” she said impatiently. “But where is he?”

“I have a plan,” Brendan promised.

“You have a plan,” Daniella humphed, crossing her arms (as best she could with the IVs). “You put in horses, and a guy who really likes horses, but no Maximus-the-horse. Ridiculous. Also—you didn’t actually tell me the part where Gothel tells all the noble bad guys that Rapunzel has escaped, and sends them after her. In fact, where is she during all this? I’m missing some real bad guy action here.”

“I thought it was pretty obvious what she had done. Didn’t need to be shown or told,” her brother protested. “You know, you’re awfully eager to hear the next part of the story considering how you’re constantly criticizing it….”

“I constantly criticize your calc homework, and look how much better you do. Listen. Learn from me,” she suggested smugly.

“I cannot wait until you’re better and I can give you a proper noogie,” Brendan muttered, putting away his pictures and pulling out the book—more of a prop than a necessity, but at this point he still liked holding it.

“Me too,” Daniella said wistfully.