Encircled by Robin Roseau

Author:Robin Roseau [Roseau, Robin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-02-27T23:00:00+00:00

Mother

“Hello.” I turned to see a woman of perhaps fifty years, dressed in the leather of the Ressalines.

“Welcome to The Baby Blanket Inn,” I said. “We have open seating, so feel free to grab a table anywhere you like, or you may sit at the bar if you prefer.”

“Actually, my name is Giselt. I wonder if Kathareet Rosebush is available.”

I stared for a moment and then recovered my composure. “Giselt,” I said. “I am Claary Rosebush. Kathareet is my mother.”

“Claary,” she said, offering her hand. “A pleasure.”

“A pleasure,” I echoed. “Let me see if Mother is available.”

I stepped in back and grabbed Lisbon. “Giselt is here to see Mother.”

“Really? Where?”

“You know why she’s here, right?’

“To see Mother.”

I stared at her for a moment. I wasn’t going to try to explain. I headed for Mother’s office. “Giselt is here.”

“Really?” Mother asked brightly, turning around. “She is?”

“She would like to see you. Should I tell her you’re in.”

“No!” I felt a rush of relief, quickly dashed. “Tell her I’ll be out in a few minutes. I need to freshen up.” And then she pushed past me, heading for the stairs to our home above the inn.

Well, shit.

When I returned to the front room, Lisbon was talking to Giselt. The two were thick as thieves. I sighed, but I told them Mother would be out shortly.

Shortly turned out to be ten minutes later. Mother had changed and applied some makeup. When she appeared, she simpered over Giselt. The woman in question smiled and asked Mother if she’d be willing to go for a walk with her.

* * * *

I fretted. Mother wasn’t back, and the dinner hour was just beginning.

I fretted even further when Marda and Bess appeared. I stared at them then gestured towards the back. We collected Lisbon and headed to Mother’s office. “What can I do for you?”

“We’d like you to go to Government House with us.”

“Now?” Lisbon asked.

“We’re aware this is a poor time,” Bess said. “It needs to be immediately.”

I sighed.

* * * *

Bess and Marda led us to Olivia’s office. Jessla was there. Marda and Bess left us. We exchanged greetings before taking seats. “Have they already done it?”

They ignored my question. “Lisbon. Claary,” said Jessla. “Approximately an hour ago, Giselt and Kathareet met with me in my office. They petitioned to hold a challenge and asked permission to do so immediately.”

“They didn’t even talk to me first,” I said. I turned to Olivia. “It’s too soon! Mother hasn’t taken any practice challenges. She’s still hung up over that woman.”

“That was my position,” Jessla said. “I denied the request and suggested Kathareet do just that.”

“Why would you do that?” Lisbon asked.

“It’s not a practice challenge, Lisbon,” I said. “It’s the real thing.”

“And your point?”

“If Mother loses, she’ll become Giselt’s permanent slave.”

“Which is what she wants, so what’s the problem?”

“Are you insane?”

“You’re the one who keeps telling me how much you enjoyed it. You’ve been a slave for your first. And then you were a slave again with Lady Olivia, then with Bess, then with Jessla.

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