Page 5 (1/2)

The King seee ten years as he spoke them And I watched as all the joy was leached fro would ever be the sa and wonderful as it could’ve been No one would ever call ain

A cranial aneurism, the doctor said A freak occurrence, he explained No warning signs, no treat, a gentleentle man

So the day after my mother died, he lectured us in firm, harsh tones on as expected We would walk every street in Wessco behind Mother’s casket, as was tradition Mother was beloved and the people would be devastated, and it was up to us to lead the would be done privately--not in view of the maids or the secretaries or security--we nity

"Yourof my mother’s funeral, the maid drew my bath And alone in that porcelain tub, I slipped beneath the water and cried until there were no tears left inside ?"

A week after Mother’s funeral, we’ve coe pond on his estate

According to Father, it’s important for me to be skilled in all sorts of et done At card tables and hunting grounds and fishing ponds He’d have et aith it

"You can ask , Lenora"

My eyes dart beside me to Alfie, then back to my father "It’s personal"

"Go ahead"

I look up at this , my mentor--who most times I feel like I don’t know at all

"Did you love her? Mother?"

He casts his line into the water and his steel-colored eyes--the same shade as mine--cloud over

"I know you cared for her, but did you love her? Truly?"

My father has this way of i it feel like a lecture His voice is a wise, resonant, baritone--like the voice of God--that ood woman Graciousjubilant When you sit on the throne, everyone wants a piece of you--a piece for the people, a piece for the press, a piece for Parliament, a piece for your spouse, a piece for your children Eventually, you have to cut yourself up into pieces so sed everyone But your ed me"

He turns his head and puts his hand on my shoulder "It will not be that way for you, Lenora Some part of your husband will always resent you"

"Why?"

"You’re a sirl--you tell me why"

I think about all I know and all I’ve seen, and the answer isn’t difficult

"Men don’t like to bow To anyone But especially not to a woman--to their wife"

My father taps oes back to the pond

"When the tireedy reedy ive hiraces, I’ll know he’ll treat you well"

When you can’t think of anything clever to say, sarcasm will never let you down

"Greed, wealth and power? Oh my--it’s like a fairy tale I may swoon"

My father reels in his line "Don’t fill your head with fairy tales, child Or thoughts of love They are not for us They will only bring you sorrow"

With that, he walks away, to the foote his bait I stare at his back

"He didn’t answer my question," I say to Alfie

"’Course he did," Alfie says kindly "He loved your mother, very much"