Introduction; a secluded room in the mansion

[southernpoison]

At the end of a hallway where no one usually goes, there's a spartan room. Inside lives a woman, flanked by anonymous nurses that stick with her as obediently as lapdogs. She wears old-fashioned, expensive clothing, including a black mourning veil draped over her face, and her hands, withered and ancient, lay on top of an embroidery sampler in

Comments

[fingersofleaf]

"Hi, ma'am." And in something left over from his knighting rather than gardening days, he bows politely. "I don't need anything. Anything I can get you, though?"

[fingersofleaf]

"Did you move away from home? I remember I missed home when I first left. You keeping thinking everything was lots better before, because it's what you're used to and you're happy with. But I'm real glad you've got your kids. I bet that helps."

[southernpoison]

"It was my husband's idea, I had nothing to do with it." A sigh. "Quite. I did have the life I'd always wanted, there, and the only things I had after the move are those I brought with me. My children, and my husband, are the things I couldn't do without."

[fingersofleaf]

"That's too bad." He makes a little face to show his sympathy. "Do you think you'll ever get used to it here, or will you miss home for-ever?"