The End of a Long Day
Once I had closed the door and turned around, there was my attentive Maria, actually looking excited to see me.
"How did it go, My Lady?" she seemed barely able to contain herself.
"Excellent," I replied as I leaned back up against the door and let the impact of the last few moments sink in with a big smile on my face.
"Very good. I think I'll keep him," I joked lightly and came away from the door, still smiling huge. I gave a little sigh and launched into it for her:
"We did a lot of talking, and he showed me how to use this trump card and we got to know each other some, and the best part is that he already knows more about me than I know about me and that's a very good thing! I can live with that. O, my gosh! I had no idea how I was going to tell him, but he knows, so now I don't have to worry about that at all--how cool is that? And in all honesty, I don't really care how he knows. Flora had left us alone right when dad went to show me what rock and roll was--very interesting sounds. I think I just might like that music--I'd love to hear more! but for now, I'm wanting to be getting out of this dress and back into comfortable clothes. I'm chalking it up for experience, but I don't want to be back in this thing anytime soon! Come on," I removed my shoes, picked them up and headed for the bedroom. I figured she could find me something way more comfortable and she'd know right where it was, too.
"Yes, My Lady," Maria responded and followed me. I found that she had thoughtfully laid out a pair of powder-blue, silk pajamas. She instantly sprang to action and began removing some of the jewelry. I couldn't help but feel a bit taken aback, but I was trying to remember that this was her job.
"It's alright Maria. Just unzip or unbutton what needs it and I can probably take it from there," I said gently as I scooped up the pajamas and began to head for the dressing screen. I quickly got into the luxurious-feeling pj's and handed her the dress and any remaining jewelry and let myself flop onto the bed. Ah, but that felt good! I could suddenly feel the weight of the day lifting and a desire to sleep begin to come upon me.
"Would you care for a cup of hot tea before you turn in, My Lady?" Maria asked.
"Mmm, hmm," I gave a muffled reply in the affirmative.
I had a sudden thought. Gran and Grampa! I just had to let them know that I had gotten here safely and that everything was okay. I pulled myself away from the comfort of the bed and sat at the little desk. I pulled out paper and a writing utensil and penned a letter to home:
Dear Grampa and Gran,
Amber is very beautiful and pristine—I can’t wait to start exploring it! The castle is huge!! I’ve got my own rooms that were already made up to look like the ones at home as much as possible, so I’d be comfortable in settling in, I guess. –I’m almost expecting you to walk through the door to tell me to not stay up so late and get some sleep! I suppose I’ll be homesick a little, but I’m guessing that’s natural, right?
Aunt Evelynn gave me a present and presented me with my very own servant. Her name is Maria. She’s wonderful at anticipating things, and she knows about my other “talents”, so I think she’ll be a big help to me. I’m so glad of that—you know how I hate to keep that side of me from people!
All this “newness” is going to take some getting used to! I confess that while I may have daydreamed of being royalty at one time or another, it certainly is something completely foreign to be addressed as such.
I cannot begin to tell you what a strange and even wonderful experience it was to go into a place of business and not have the folks there look at me funny or treat me like they fear me. Thanks to Aunt Evelynn, I had my first experience in a salon—a little different than the barbershop—ladies go there to make themselves look nice. You ought to see my new “do”!
You might not believe this, but I actually talked myself into wearing a dress! I had decided that since I was going to meet my father for the first time that I wanted to look nice. (Whoa, Nelly!)
He’s a really neat guy—I think I’ll keep him! We spent a lot of time talking and he taught me how to use Trumps—apparently, the way for communicating and getting around in a hurry around here. I’d explain it if I understood it at all, but I don’t, so I won’t try.
I’m learning plenty about him—that he likes the outdoorsy-things, likes to fly and loves listening to a strange and wondrous music called “rock and roll”. I’ll admit that it doesn’t really sound like music at all at first—more like noise, but once you get used to it, it’s got a neat beat to it.
I’ve also learned that I have an older half-brother, Connor. I get the feeling that I might not get to meet him anytime soon, as he doesn’t live here. He seems to be off doing his own thing, and that’s okay.
The best part of all is that Dad seems to already know me better than I think, and to me, that’s the biggest relief ever! I was so wondering how I was going to tell him about my “fuzzy” side that I was almost downright worried as to how he was going to take it, but thankfully, I needn’t have worried so much. He already knows, so I don’t have to tell him at all. I don’t know how he knows that, and truthfully, I don’t really want to know how he knows. Just the fact that he knows is good enough for me.
I have yet to meet the rest of the family—there’s quite a lot of them!
Well, I am turning in for the night. I know I’ll sleep because I’m worn out enough.
I miss you both very much!
I miss that I won’t be there for home-cooked meals. I already miss that I’ll not be there in the morning for breakfast!
I am hoping that we will get to see each other again.
Love always,
Your Tabby
Maria set a steaming cup of tea down next to me in a saucer with a little bowl of sugar cubes. I put the finishing touches on my letter and folded it neatly. I instantly dropped a cube into the cup and let it dissolve.
"Thanks for the tea," I sipped carefully. I set it down again and handed Maria my letter.
"This needs to find its way to Grampa and Gran back home. It's not urgent, or anything, and it doesn't require a reply unless they want to. After you've handed it off to be sent, call it a night 'cause I'm going to enjoy my tea and then go to bed. Good night, Maria!"
"Yes, My Lady. Goodnight," she bobbed as she took the letter and then headed out. I managed to make quick work of the tea and then crawled into that luxurious-feeling bed and was more than ready for sleep to take over. I was out like a little light.