To keep her mind occupied, Grace turned on the radio and found a station playing Christmas carols. The soothing notes of "Angels We Have Heard On High" filled the car.
It shouldn�t be long before a squad car comes this way. I�ll just wait. Grace closed her eyes and focused on the music.
A few minutes later, she heard a tapping at her window. Thinking it was the police, Grace opened her eyes. A rough-looking teenage boy was there. She was alarmed at first but his friendly smile put her at ease. Grace unrolled the window slowly.
"Need some help, lady?" he asked.
She smiled gratefully. "Yes, thank you. My car stalled and I can�t get a hold of a tow truck." She unbuckled her seat belt and opened her door. Climbing out of the car, she found it surrounded by teenagers, whom she saw as her saviors.
Jareth saw them too, but he knew they were not there to save her. He slowly approached them, making sure he was not noticed. Then, he elbowed past them and stood beside her.
"I believe that if you were to try your motorcar again, it will start," Jareth said.
Grace was amazed at this man who seemingly appeared out of nowhere. She got back into her car and turned the key in the ignition. It started, with a little help from Jareth.
She smiled at him through the open window. "Thank you. I never thought of trying it again."
The teenagers knew better than to mess with one of New York�s crazy homless people, and Jareth waited until the gang members left before responding. "You are welcome, my dear."
"I must give you something." Grace dug around in her purse before finding a twenty-dollar bill. She held it out to him. "Please, take it. It�s all the cash I have on me, but you�re welcome to it. It should last a day or so." She could tell that he was reluctant to take it, so she insisted. "Please."
Finally, a giving person, Jareth thought as he took the money. He tilted his head slightly, considering the person who gave it.
She looked to be in her mid-twenties. Her light brown hair was gathered into a ponytail at the nape of her neck, so he was unsure of its length. A flawless, heartshaped face framed a pair of the brightest blue eyes he had ever seen, a pert little nose, and a perfect Cupid�s bow mouth. She wore a heavy, cranberry-colored coat, an emerald knit scarf, and matching gloves plus a pair of black jeans and boots.
Jareth�s eyes returned to her face and the innocence in her eyes. If I believed in angels, I would think I�d been granted a vision. "What is your name, my dear?"
"Grace," she said without hesitation. "Grace Kurland. What�s yours?"
"Jay," he said after a moment. No need to give her my real name, yet.
She smiled warmly. "Well, Jay, I want to thank you again for helping me. If you come by Mike�s Diner on 32nd Street tomorrow, I�ll make sure you can have all you can eat, on me."
Jareth smiled at her offer. "Thank you. I will be certain to drop in."
With that, Grace waved goodbye and rolled up her window as she drove back to her apartment building.
Jareth watched her leave. She may be the one. She needs one more test, though.
He walked to a nearby alley. Finding it deserted, Jareth vanished and reappeared in his throne room, his clothes already changed to his usual perfection. Passing the oblivious goblins, Jareth went up two flights of stairs to his bedroom.
The royal bedchamber of the Goblin Castle was a perfect mirror of its owner. Silk, satin, and velvet in dark colors decorated the ebony furniture. The black marble floor was covered in plush rugs and the large, black marble fireplace always had a fire burning.
Jareth walked over to an ornately carved chest at the foot of his king-sized canopy bed. Pulling a pewter key out of his pocket, he kneeled before the chest and unlocked it. Lifting the lid, Jareth moved aside clothes, bedding, and knick-knacks before he found what he was looking for. He pulled it out and set it aside then closed the lid and locked the chest again.
Carrying the small wooden box over to the bed, he sat down and set the box in his lap. The box itself was nothing special. The dark wood was plain, scratched, and dented, the findings made of base metal, with rust-covered hinges. Few people would even think of opening it.
Jareth did just that. Inside, the box was padded and lined with peach satin. Softly glowing in the candlelight were countless crystals, each about the size of a marble, and each perfect, flawless.
Father said the Wishing Box was the traditional gift for a Goblin King to give as a token of thanks. This time, it will be a test. A test of Grace�s true nature.
With that, Jareth and the box vanished.
