Rapunzel 01

Jack stroked his wife's forehead and squeezed her hand.
"Darling, I can't."
Martine shook her head.
"I need that lettuce! The baby... I can't help it, Jack. I feel like I'll die if I can't have some of that lettuce."
He kissed her gently and patted her rounded belly.
"Alright," he sighed. "I will get you both some." He did not say anything about his empty purse. They had already traded their cow for a goat and a cradle.

When Miss Gotthel rose early in the morning to water her vegetables, she noticed one of her campanula rapunculus missing. Laying her fingertips to the disturbed earth, she frowned.

A few nights later, Jack tried again to talk his wife out of her craving, without avail. The next morning, Miss Gotthel noticed another bare spot, inciting a deeper scowl and muttered threats.

She was waiting for him on the third night. He did not notice her as he crouched to uproot another lettuce; he was so nervous. Only when the butt of her rake struck his hand did he look up and see Miss Gotthel, whose plants he had been stealing.
She stayed perfectly serene; that was what bothered Jack the most. She spoke calmly as she told him that he would never steal from her again, and that there would be a price to pay.
"I – of course, Miss Gotthel. Again – I am so sorry. Martine is due soon, and I couldn't possibly deny her cravings... of course I will pay you as much as you want as soon as I can."
"When you can pay me, I will collect."
He bowed to her again and left quickly, unnerved.