(Note: Picture by Danny Boling.)

Through The Hedge Of Thorns

by Jeff Baker

“Okay, here he is,” Jack said as they turned the corner on the downtown sidewalk.

Laying there on one of the metal benches was a young man, probably twenty-something, reddish hair and beard, sleeping soundly.

“He looks nice in those jeans,” Craig whispered.

“I don’t think he can hear you.” Jack said. “I don’t think anybody can hear us right now. Look.”

Jack pointed at the shop the bench was in front of. The bench reflected, but the cute redhead sleeping on it did not.

“And look at all the people just walking around him, like they’re avoiding this little area but not seeing the guy. Or us probably.”

Craig stared at Jack. “What do you mean?”

“Remember that funny feeling when we turned the corner? Like an extra wind or a change in, well, feeling? Kind of wavering?”

Craig shook his head.

“Remember the hedge of thorns around the palace in Sleeping Beauty?” Jack said. “I think this is like that.”

Craig stared back at the man asleep on the bench. This was crazy but Jack had always been able to see around corners, with what Jack’s Irish Grandmother called “Second Sight.”

“So what’s going on here?” Craig asked.

“Sleeping Beauty,” Jack said. “I think he has to be kissed. There’s some kind of a curse.”

“So, this guy needs a princess?” Craig said with a shrug.

“Uh, no. I think he needs a prince,” Jack said.

“Where is he going to get one of those?” Craig asked. “England? Charles isn’t a prince anymore.”

“Yeah, but you are,” Jack said.

“Huh?” Craig gave him a blank stare.

“Remember your last name,” Craig said. “Herceg. You told me once it’s Hungarian for Prince.”

“Oh yeah, I did.” Craig said.

“That’s why I brought you here,” Jack said.

Craig stared back and forth from Jack to the man on the bench. He gave a What The Hey shrug and bent down, trying not to fall over.

He kissed the man.

A moment later, the man’s eyes fluttered open and he smiled.

—end—