When Tales Get Twisted

By Laurel Kile

When Tales Get Twisted crazy things happen to our beloved classics.

When Catpunzel, a golden-haired kitten, is abandoned by her parents, a mysterious tabby named Gothel swoops in and adopts the child. Everything seems wonderful, but when Catpunzel befriends a boy named Tom, she sees a different side of Gothel ̶ a side that will

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sandy Springs Press
• Release date: Sep 9, 2022
• ISBN: 9798986287713

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When Tales Get Twisted

A Modern Twist to Beloved Classics

June 27, 2022

Sandy Springs Press

www.sandyspringspress.com

When Tales Get Twisted

By Laurel Kile

Published by Sandy Springs Press

www.sandyspringspress.com

Copyright © 2022

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 979-8-9862877-1-3 (eBook)

ISBN: 979-8-9862877-0-6 (Paperback)

First printing edition 2022

Contributors: Alexandra Beverly and Lilly Faye

Cover image and book design by: Smriti Kona

Follow Laurel Kile online: www.laurelkile.com

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

Sandy Springs Press

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Suite G # 28883

Sandy Springs, Georgia, 30328

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Dedication

To my husband: Thank you for your support and patience.

To my daughters: I love you to the moon and back. Thank you for all your input and advice.

Through fiction, we find truth.

Through make-believe, we find what is possible.

Through imagination, we find reality.

Laurel Kile

Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Epigraph

Catpunzel

Chapter 2:

Chapter 3:

Chapter 4:

Chapter 5:

Chapter 6:

Chapter 7:

Chapter 8:

Red Riding In The Hood

Chapter 2:

Chapter 3:

Chapter 4:

Chapter 5:

Chapter 6:

Chapter 7:

chapter 8:

Chapter 9:

Whitney Snow

Chapter 2:

Chapter 3:

Chapter 4:

Chapter 5:

Chapter 6:

Chapter 7:

Chapter 8:

Chapter 9:

Chapter 10:

Chapter 11:

Chapter 12:

Chapter 13:

Chapter 14:

Acknowledgement

About The Author

Books By This Author

C

atpunzel

Chapter 1:

Cloe and Calvin

C

loe and Calvin Sphinx were the cat’s meow. Cloe was of the finest Peterbald pedigree and grew up in the lap of luxury. When she married award-winning architect, Calvin Sphinx, it was no surprise that they became the Upper East Side’s number one power couple. Right after their wedding, Kitty Condo Digest featured their condominium as its centerfold. Cloe, not to be outdone by her husband, clawed her way to the top of the fashion industry. In fact, she was single-handedly responsible for the hottest fashion trend: being completely hairless.

They worked their paws to the bone building their empire. So, when they announced to their social circle that they were taking an extended vacation to the shore, not a single feline batted an eye.

However, this wasn’t an ordinary vacation for the couple; they were on a mission, a mission for a kitten. With all their wealth and power, there was one thing the Sphinx couple could not buy: a baby of their own.

To be completely honest, neither Cloe or Calvin were extremely fond of kittens, but all their friends had started families. They felt as if they were being left behind, and the Sphinxes were never left behind. In fact, they had placed a retainer on a nanny, a nursemaid, and a private stylist so that their kittens could be the talk of the town. But with no kittens to raise, the money was going to waste.

Calvin researched and found the Feline Fertility Franchise in Seaside City. They booked the first available appointment, and after almost three entire weeks of waiting, it was finally their turn to get everything they deserved.

They rented a beachfront villa, where they planned to stay for the duration of the pregnancy. On the first night, as Calvin was unpacking, a small black case fell from his bag.

Is that, Cloe shuddered, your shaving kit?

Calvin batted the bag under the bed. Sorry, dear.

For the love of tuna, just make sure nobody sees it. If anybody knew you had fur, we’d be the laughingstock of the Upper East Side.

Yes, dear.

Cloe lay on the bed and began grooming herself. It’s not your fault that you were born with that defective gene.

Calvin sat beside her. You still love me?

She kissed him on the nose. I would love you even if you were a flat-faced Himalayan.

Both cats broke out into gales of laughter. Himalayan cats had gone out of fashion decades ago. With their long hair, flat faces, and permanent grumpy expression, only internet meme-makers had any interest in the disgusting fluff balls.

◆◆◆

The night before their appointment, Cloe could not relax. She paced from room to room, scratched the sofa, and licked her paws until they bled. Calvin made her a bowl of warm cream. Why don’t you come outside, kitten. Listen to the waves crash on the shore; let your worries drift away.

Though Cloe thought that this was a ridiculous suggestion, she was willing to try anything to ease her anxiety. As they sat on the catio, Calvin puffed on his cigar. That is the most peculiar house beside us. He nodded to his left. I wonder who the architect was.

Cloe studied the gray, stone home. The first floor was shaped like a gigantic X. A five-story tower rose from the middle, like the stalk of a tulip. At the top of the tower sat a round room with glassless windows. A stone wall surrounded the home, and inside the wall, the owner had cultivated the most beautiful garden. Lilies, tulips, and irises bloomed in a vibrant patchwork of color.

We must find the name of their landscaper. Imagine how those peonies would look in the beds at the Clawza? she said.

They would be beautiful. Calvin affectionately swiped his tail over hers.

And those lilies, Cloe added. What do you think about planting them in the backyard?

I think lilies are poisonous. Aren’t you worried the kittens may get into them?

Cloe sighed. You’re probably right. What about irises?

Calvin put his paw to his chin. I believe they are only mildly toxic.

Cloe lapped up the last of the cream. I guess I could make do with irises.

Chapter 2:

Disappointment

T

he following evening, Calvin and Cloe sat on the balcony of their beach house. They didn’t touch, they didn’t speak. In fact, they didn’t even look at each other. The visit with the veterinarian did not go well.

Calvin winced at the memory. After a battery of tests, the couple met with a calico in hideous, blue scrubs. Before she spoke, Calvin knew what was coming. I’m sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Sphinx, but your chances of having kittens are slim to none. The calico handed them a tri-fold pamphlet. I know this may not be the best time, but have you ever considered adoption?

Cloe leapt across the desk and slapped the nurse across the whiskers. Adoption! Her screeches echoed off the walls. Adoption? You want me to allow a kitten with inferior genes into MY home? I’ve seen these kittens who are up for adoption, mixed breeds, feral, full of fur. How dare you suggest I allow our nanny to raise one of those creatures! She jumped off the desk, lifted her leg, and peed on the rug. That’s my opinion of adoption.

With her nose held high, Cloe marched from the office with her apologizing husband behind. That was the last word either had spoken.

Finally, Calvin could take it no longer. He broke the silence. I think we should get dinner. What are you craving? Tuna? Tilapia?

Cloe stared at the home next door. I want catnip.

I can get you catnip, Calvin offered. I saw some at the store on the corner.

Cloe whipped her tail back and forth. No, I want that catnip. She pointed to the garden next door. A deep green plant with blue flowers swayed in the breeze. I’ve never seen catnip with bright blue flowers before, and the smell is simply intoxicating. If I do not have that catnip, I swear I shall surely curl up and die.

Being a bit dramatic, aren’t we?

Cloe charged at her husband. She stopped when they were nose-to-nose. What did you say?

I said… I said. He leaned away from his wife. I said, being grammatically correct, aren’t we?

Cloe sat back on her haunches. Hmm, you should really enunciate more clearly.

Yes, dear.

Now, are you going to get the catnip for me, or do I have to go get it myself?

When Cloe was in this state, there was no reasoning with her. So, Calvin slid on his Armani slippers and padded next door. This is so embarrassing, he mumbled as he pressed the button for the intercom. He waited for five whole minutes, but nobody answered. He rang the buzzer again, but there was still no reply.

From where Calvin stood, he could see his wife sitting on their balcony staring down at him. If he returned home without that catnip, there would be trouble. So, he looked to his left and right to make sure nobody was watching. Then Calvin jumped to the top of the rock wall and slipped inside the garden.

The flowers were even more beautiful than they appeared from his balcony. The rich magenta peonies, golden tulips, and royal purple irises were so vivid that it almost made his eyes hurt. He admired every bud and bloom until he found the herb garden in the shadow of the tower. Calvin extended his claws and cut three stalks from the ground, then leapt to the top of the stone wall and made his way back to his wife.

Cloe purred with excitement when he walked through the door. In fact, after she rolled around in the leaves and blossoms, Cloe confessed that it was the happiest she had been in years. She was no longer upset at the vet about the adoption suggestion, she wasn’t even mad at the fact they would lose the retainer fee for the nanny. Calvin felt like the king of the pride, able to bring joy to his bride.

The following morning, however, the happiness had worn off, and Cloe was sullen again. I need more catnip, she told Calvin over breakfast. Catnip is the only thing that will make me happy.

Calvin put down the paper he