New to the story? Read Chapter 1, Briar Rose, here.

Scent Notes: White roses, gardenia, orange blossom, thyme, and Dalmatian sage in a summer thunderstorm, ripe grapefruit, kumquat, and red mandarin, white musk, neroli.

Once upon a time, there was a young couple named Martha and John. One morning, they were sitting across from each other at the table, quietly eating breakfast. “Oooh, ouch!” Martha suddenly exclaimed, clutching her swollen stomach.

“Darling, are you okay?” John asked. Martha was getting to be quite pregnant, nearly 8 months along, so every little thing she did or said immediately made John pay attention. It was exhausting for the both of them, honestly, this hypervigilance, but it’s not like he could stop worrying about his pregnant wife or impending child.

“Yes dear, I’m fine; she just has a mighty strong kick!” Martha smiled and attempted another bite of eggs. The girl must’ve kicked again, because Martha dropped her fork and clutched her stomach again. “GodDAMMIT, ok, no more eggs, I get it.”

“Martha my dear, you have to eat! What can I fix for you? Toast? A cheese sandwich? Um ... you know I’m not a very good cook, but, I can try to make you some soup.”

“No John, I know exactly what I want. The cabbage. From next door. I see it every day from the window; I overlook her garden and I drool. It all looks so luscious and green and healthy and shit, oh wow, I would give anything for a big head of cabbage. Also some Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. But mostly the cabbage.”

“Alright, let me get ready, and I’ll go ask if I can have a head of cabbage….”

Martha squealed. “No, John; you must STEAL IT.”

John balked. “What? Why? I know we all think she’s a witch, but I’m sure if I give her some money, she’ll just sell us some.”

“NO. STEAL IT OR THERE’S NO POINT TO THIS STORY,” Martha screamed.... Click here to read the rest of the story!