Free Waking Rose: A Fairy Tale Retold by Regina Doman

this?”
    “A Japanese boken. I use it for training. Those guys have Western swords. Sometimes the Japanese sword is easier for women. Let me show you.”
    He took the sword back and swept it around in a graceful movement, ending with a lunge. “Try it.”
    She set down her books, and, taking the sword, tried to imitate his movements, which were more difficult than she had expected. Alex gave her a few pointers, and she found herself intrigued. “I like this,” she said.
    “Do you? Not scared off? Good, well, I’ll have to show you more sometime.” He glanced over at the wrestling match, which was drawing to a close with Leroy sitting on Paul. “Oh, very good, Leroy. Great technique.”
    “I let him win!” bellowed Paul, and Leroy punched him again.
    “I’ve got to run to class,” Rose said regretfully. “See you around.”
    “Ciao,” Alex said, waving goodbye. He grabbed his sword and strode over to the other two.
    What an unusual group , Rose said to herself. But she liked them, despite their black trench coats and dangerous air. She was beginning to find out that behind that aura of bad behavior was a genuine goodness. She had also run into students at Mercy who appeared clean-cut on the outside, but who were bending rules whenever they thought no one was looking.
    As she passed the chapel, she saw two blue-gowned figures. One nun in full habit was pushing another in a wheelchair. A third nun, with the same light blue veil and dark blue robe, emerged from its depths. Rose started with excitement when she recognized the familiar face. “Sister Maria!” she cried. “I didn’t know you went to Mass here!”
    Her elderly cousin accepted Rose’s enthusiastic hug and patted her hand, laughing. “Sometimes we do go to noon Mass, when Father can’t make it to our convent. We thought we might run into you. The Holy Spirit was nudging.”
    “How are you, godmother?” Rose asked affectionately.
    “I’m doing very well, and so are Sister Carmen and Therese.” Sister Maria’s aging face creased into a smile and her unusually young blue eyes sparkled. “And how are you, godchild?”
    “I’m doing quite well,” Rose said, warmth coming into her face as she looked at the two other nuns, who smiled at her. Sister Carmen was very old, and Sister Therese was clearly the youngest. Rose had been receiving Mass Cards from Sister Maria and her fellow nuns all her life, but rarely saw them. “It’s so good to run into you like this, so casually. It’s almost luxury.”
    “A true gift,” Sister Carmen said in a gravelly voice.
    “And is there anything that you would like us to pray for?” Sister Maria said solemnly.
    “You talk as though it’s your job,” Rose laughed.
    “So it is,” Sister Maria nodded. “As contemplative nuns, you could say it is our job, though we’ve had to become more active lately, as there are only three left in our convent! We do pray for you every day.”
    “Really? Well, that explains a lot!” Rose exclaimed. “Perhaps that’s why my life has turned out so well, with you three watching my back.”
    Sister Maria looked thoughtful. “Well, you are our godchild. We’ll never cease to do that,” she said. “I know you’re on your way to class, so I won’t keep you. But we should like to have you come and visit us. Perhaps for dinner.”
    “Yes, I’d love that!” Rose said with genuine feeling. “I’ll see you later then!”  She gathered up her books and hurried up to class, feeling as though she had been given extraordinary gifts.
    How many people can boast of having three godmothers? Well, technically only Sister Maria is my godmother, but the other two consider me their adopted godchild. She pictured them as three powerful entities, robed and crowned, lifting up hands to heaven to shield and protect her.
    And in reality, that’s what they are, Rose told herself, glancing behind her at the three frail figures making their way down the hill to the parking lot.