“Cora, I am sick to my
stomach thinking of what could be happening to him up there…”
“You need to sit and calm
down. I’ll bring you something to drink,” says Cora, “something strong.” Claire
disappears and returns with a decanter of thick, green neon liquid and two
glasses. “Here,” Cora pours and hands me a glass, “drink it down.”
“Good grief, Cora, did you
raid my father’s private liquor cabinet? Is this what I think it is?”
“Yes, it’s Verdeviti,” she
giggles. “The green elixir of life. This stuff is illegal on most planets.” Cora pours herself a drink and they drink
together. Then they drink some more.
Soon I am calm and in
control of my emotions and Cora is all giggly.
“So, you went and got
yourself married, huh? Tell me about this husband of yours, Sam.”
“Ahhh! His name is Jakson
Blake. And he is… wonderful. He’s an international binding arbitration
mediator. He’s an old world, continental gentleman, mannerly, well educated,
from a wealthy family, and he speaks seven languages. He’s in demand all over
the world. He’s tall, thin, and extremely good-looking. But it’s when he starts
talking that he’s truly adorable. He’s so sweet and lovable and romantic. He makes
me happy. He makes me smile inside when I look at him.”
“That sounds like love to
me. And where did you meet this good looking, sweet, lovable man?”
“I was doing relief work
in Ohio, at the high school after a tornado hit my hometown. I was knee-deep in
clothing vouchers and private donations and paperwork and old people in dire
need of their medication and crying babies with their half-crazed, worried
mothers from the minute the doors opened in the morning. I had worked through
lunch because we were so short-staffed and was exhausted. And in walked this
man in a suit, this breath of fresh air, this picture of calmness and serenity,
with an ability to organize chaos with a smile on his face, one gorgeous smile.
With a reassuring voice and an air of authority, he had the room cleared out in
a matter of minutes, with everybody happily on their way to whatever they
needed.
I remember it very well…
“YOU are just remarkable.”
Samantha looked up at the man who had taken control of the situation in utter
amazement. He flashed his gorgeous smile at her.
“Thank you, thank you very
much. And I’m also very hungry. Would you care to accompany me to the
cafeteria?” he said, offering her his arm.
“I’d be delighted, Mr…”
“Blake. Jakson Blake.” She
took his elbow as they walked toward the cafeteria.
“Well, hello, Blake,
Jakson Blake. I’m Hannery, Samantha Hannery.”
“Yes, I know. I asked who
you were first thing this morning.”
Soon her father storms
into her chambers.
“All right. I’ve had him
injected with a double dose of truth serum because these Galts are notoriously
strong-willed. I will allow you to question him. But I will be present. I have a
list of questions of my own for you to ask him. Here it is. And there will be
absolutely NO coddling! Do you understand me, Isabella?”
“Yes, Father, I can agree
to that. No torturing and no coddling. We can handle this like civilized
people, you’ll see. Jakson is a good man, honest and reasonable. Thank you,
Father.”
We walk up to the tower. Justin
opens the door.
“What have you done to
him?”
“Nothing,” says the king. “Yet.”
“Can’t you remove that
horrible shock harness?”
“No”
“Well, then, can you lower
him?”
“Isabella, this is not a
tea party! It’s SUPPOSED to hurt.”
22.
No comments:
Post a Comment