Flight of the Monarch

"Dinner was delicious." Hayley wiped her mouth with her napkin and laid it beside her plate. "May I talk about the trip now?"

"Yes." Maddie squirmed.

"Oh, before I forget, the major news I have is that I met someone you know." She paused, then smiled. "Thor Hawthorn."

Maddie startled, shot a frightened glance at Cedric, which Hayley pretended not to notice.

Neither Cedric nor Maddie spoke.

"I saw him arguing with you one day Maddie, in Kingston. I wanted to ask you about it but you put me off, as though there were something to hide." Hayley raised her brows.

"Why in the world would you think I would be hiding something? Perhaps you have misunderstood."

"Now, you can help me to understand."

"Hayley!" Her father threw down his napkin and pulled away from the table. "You have no right to ask anything concerning Maddie. Her relationship to Mr. Hawthorn is not your business."

"I would like to hear Maddie say it, if you don't mind, Father."

"I would rather not discuss it." Maddie's voice faded to a whisper.

"Will you tell me why you care so little for me, to treat me as a stranger who has no right to ask details of your personal life?"

Maddie had no words.

"Your past is a part of you, Maddie. If you are ashamed of it, you must know that I will always love you regardless of the situation."

"There are things which you do not need to know."

"Such as you being married to Mr. Hawthorn?"

"What?!"

"You both have the same last name, and you do not deny that you know him, and I heard him declare his love to you."

"So you decide to jump to conclusions?"

"What else could it be?"

"Brother and sister's have the same last name too."

"Is that what you want me to believe you are to each other?"

"Yes, yes, if you must know, Hayley- yes, he is my brother."

Hayley was stunned at the announcement. "But I thought-" Hayley paused, "-why would you not tell me you have a brother?"

"There is a lot about me that you don't know, and for now, I choose to keep those things to myself. You are free to tell me about the other people you met on the trip."

Hayley was disappointed at being sidetracked again.