Life had taken a vicious turn for Marsha in the past year. First, she lost her job. And not being one to save her income, she soon got behind in her bills. Her car and kitchen appliances were repossessed. And when she was evicted from her apartment for being months in arrears, much of his other stuff was stolen. She ended up on the street. And now she would face the coldest night of the year with only a light blue fall coat and a box that once contained a clothes dryer between her and the elements.

Shivering, Marsha heard a noise. TING! Seeing a coin roll from the direction of a passing woman warm in a fur coat and hat, Marsha snapped it up and scurried back into cardboard domicile. Drat! It wasn't a real coin, like a quarter. It contained an inscription about granting one wish per person. A wish? What did Marsha have to lose? She'd make a wish ­ a big wish. But what?

On the newspaper lining her shelter was a story about a European princess visiting her town and enjoying a round of banquets and shows. "That's what I want to be ­ a member of a royal family. When you're a princess, they treat you so much better," Marsha thought. She then made the wish. "Make me royalty," she thought out loud. But nothing happened. Feeling a chill from the plummeting temperatures, Marsha sank deeper into her box, pulled her medium-weight coat tighter around her body, and fell asleep.

The next thing Marsha knew, she was awakened by an alarm clock. So she jumped out of bed. Bed? Yes, a bed. A fantastic bed, covered with a warm quilt and a frilly bedspread. And Marsha saw she was inside, in a bedroom; one with flowered wallpaper, exquisite furniture, and dolls ­ everywhere dolls; Barbies, baby dolls, dolls that talked and walked, even two antique porcelain dolls. And a closet, full of clothing ­ blouses, skirts, warm winter clothing, summer casual wear! "Wow! I got my wish," Marsha thought.

But the most fantastic sight came when Marsha passed a full-length mirror. Gaping back at her was a girl in her underwear. "I'm so young, I'm wearing a beginner bra. I haven't worn one since I was 9-years-old," she thought.

The door to the bedroom opened and in walked a man in his mid-30s, who sat on the bed, smiled lovingly, pulled Marsha close to him, and planted a kiss on her cheek. "Morning, Princess," he said. "Breakfast is ready. Better hurry up and get dressed so you have time to eat before I drive you to school."

Marsha was flabbergasted. Who was that guy? And what about that wishing coin? Even things magical were beating up on her. She asked to be royalty. Instead, the coin drops her in age and deposits her in some home where they only called her Princess, but really isn't. Just some little kid who was stuck going to school. She had to get out of there. Go back to where she was. And end this mad charade.

But for some reason, a small TV was on in her room. And on a news program, they were reporting a breaking story of some homeless person who had apparently froze to death in the 18-degrees-below zero temperatures the previous night. Marsha watched as paramedics moved a stretcher into the back of an ambulance that would take its occupant to the morgue. Marsha couldn't see the victim's face, but the blue coat was very familiar.

Stunned, Marsha donned her bright blue-and-pink school uniform and made her way to the breakfast table. She was greeted by the smiling man and his equally smiling wife, both of whom planted new kisses on her cheeks, and addressed her as Princess.

"You've very happy I'm here," Marsha stuttered. "Of course we are, Princess. We were so worried when you caught that virulent strain of the flu. You were very sick. We thought we'd lose you. But you miraculously got better," the woman said. "So don't worry. For as long as we can, we'll protect you and try to make you as safe and happy as we can," the man added.

Marsha weighed the facts in her head. Somehow during the night, she transformed into the 9-year-old daughter of these people. On one side, she was reduced in status to a child, who would have to defer to all adults and older children, wouldn't be able to engage in any of her adult pleasures, and might even be punished for things adults thought she did, even when she didn't. But then, she was no longer a homeless adult, facing hunger, the elements, crime in the streets. Maybe the wishing coin didn't make her a real princess, but she was with people who would treat her like one. She'd likely have to settle into a subservient roll to these two adults. But the alternative was living alone, fending for herself in a cold, heartless world ­ where in fact she might already be dead!

There was only one answer. "And I love you too, Daddy and Mommy," Marsha said tearfully as she planted return kisses on her new parents.


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