The White Empress by J.D. Nichols

Author:J.D. Nichols
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: asian american, growing up asian, historical fiction, cultural heritage, adopted, orphans, family saga
Publisher: Crepe Myrtle Press
Published: 2024-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter XVIII

Vaddi refused to discuss the matter further, and Someth and Peou soon forgot the incident as life in the village continued. The traders moved on to another village by early evening, leaving the village to their isolated sleepiness. Nearly two weeks passed and then...tragedy. Late in the night, Someth sent word to his sister that their father’s health had worsened. Peou brought food and sat with her father for several days, reminiscing about days long past.

Their mother, however, was completely out-of-sorts. Vaddi remained agitated, and Someth initially took her odd behavior as grief the woman was too proud to show. But as the days progressed and her mood worsened, he began to wonder if something else was wrong. Not wanting to upset their mother further, the children held their concerns and said nothing. Someth pleaded with their father to allow him to send for the monks who might have medicines that could help, but Atith flatly refused.

Peou came and went from her parents’ house to her own as the days wore on. Late one afternoon, she arrived back home, exhausted after having helped Someth’s wife prepare food for themselves and for their parents. She had kissed her father on the forehead before leaving, telling him she would see him tomorrow. The old man patted her cheek as he had done when she was but a little girl. And Peou paddled back home to prepare the evening meal for her own family.

Later that same night, after the family had been to temple and the subsequent meal, Peou settled down for the night. She was exhausted. Vibol had been fussy most of the evening, but Kaliyanei had finally managed to quiet him.

Peou awoke, halfway through the night, and sat straight up in a cold sweat. An unexplained panic crept over her and she was unable to shake it. She checked her husband who lay sleeping beside her. He snored softly, oblivious to his wife’s impending sense of doom. She looked across the room where Malis lay sleeping. The baby? No, the baby and his mother were quiet. It seemed she was the only one awake. She rose and walked over to the baby, checking for her own benefit that he was all right. She laid a gentle hand over the child’s chest, and she could feel his heartbeat and the soft rise and fall of his chest. He was alive and sleeping soundly.

Glancing at the door, Peou noticed a faint glow of a light somewhere in the distance. It wasn’t the moon. It was too faint for that. Puzzled, she walked to the entrance and looked across the main street of the village, which during the wet season was more canal than street. Directly across from her, her childhood home was illuminated by several lanterns.

Why are they still awake at this hour of night? Peou wondered. Is something wrong? Has Father’s condition worsened?

She stood motionless in the doorway watching the house opposite her own and listened. The mention of her name caught Peou’s attention, and she stared across the water that divided the two thatched houses.

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