Flight of the Monarch

"Mrs. Sommers, may we talk for awhile?"

Mrs. Sommers stepped aside and Hayley stepped over the threshold.

"What could we possibly talk about?"

"I have been thinking about how we could become better friends." Hayley swallowed hard. "I do know that you are my aunt and that is even more of a reason for us to get to know each other."

"Your father finally told you we're related." Mrs.

Sommers frowned.

"You just want to spend more time with Austin."

"He is my cousin, and I understand it is only in that respect that we have a relationship."

"What do you really want from me?"

"You know the most about who my mother was. I would like to know about your relationship with her-and my father."

"What does your father have to do with anything?"

"He is your brother-in-law. Did you ever get to know each other?"

"Ha! What I know, you do not care to hear about, trust me!"

"You may not want to know my father, but I wish to get to know you."

Hayley walked to the living area, locked her hands together and sat down.

"I want to be able to talk to someone. Maddie is being so cruel to me and my father is always absent. I don't have a chance to be with good people such as yourself."

Mrs. Sommers reached out a cold hand and touched Hayley's arm. "You poor dear, I have misjudged you. You are alone aren't you?" Hayley sensed an eerie joy in the woman's voice.

"Yes. I suppose, I am."

"Tell me all about what is going on with you and Miss Hawthorn."

"She's not kind to me know and we used to be so close." Hayley shuddered. "I am going to ask my father to dismiss her." Hayley was surprised at what came out of her mouth. She wondered if she had gone too far.

"Dear, I will tell you anything that you want to know about your father and mother."

"Really?"

"Of course. You are a young lady now, and you should have the answer to any questions." Mrs.

Sommers seemed surprisingly pleasant. "What is the first thing you would like to know?"

"How did my mother and father meet?"

"Well, actually your father met me first, and I was his intended."

"You mean..."