Clandestine

ten

-julia-

I braid Rosalina's hair while she blabbers about the latest fashion world gossip. Apparently one of the models working for Rosalina's greatest competition just got busted for drug use. With the fashion show only a few days away, the competitor will have quite a difficult time finding another model and training them for the show.

Rosalina couldn't be happier. "I was so worried about that brand stealing my clients. Besides, the owner is a brat. I can't tell you how many times she sneered in my face, made some sly comment about my line. Do you remember that time that magazine published that article about my line being made for people with 'strange taste' and 'low brain power'?"

I nod, "Yes. You cried for hours."

She twists back to give me a glare, "That's besides the point. She was the person who said that about me. She bribed the author to write that for the magazine. There's nothing fair about that woman."

I say, "As long as your line is great as you can possibly make it, there's nothing more you can do. You are talented. You'll be fine."

"Would you two be quiet? I'm trying to watch this." Carlotta yells from her position on the floor. Her eyes are glued to a professional swim meet on the television. It's between two teams that she is considered trying out for once she reaches the professional level.

Rosalina lowers her babbling a little bit, only to avoid Carlotta's piercing glare.

I finish Rosalina's hair and lie on my bed. The meeting from today is on a constant replay throughout behind my eyes. My mother slamming down her hand on the table. Alan Tinsley's eyes filling with incredulity when she declares his punishment. The rest of the council watching through indifferent or helpless eyes.

Who was right?

My mother for putting a half innocent man in jail? Alan Tinsley for arguing his point, but making sure to throw in as many insults possible along the way?

I'm not sure if either of them were.

A knock sounds on my door.

"Come in." I call, thinking it's probably just a staff here to deliver something or other.

Instead, my mother walks in. Her lips curls when she sees the clothes thrown across my room, Rosalina's containers of makeup scatter the floor. Carlotta's curses at the teams on the screen.

I don't know when my mother was last in my room. It might have been months maybe even a year. She respects my privacy and I hers.

She offers me a tight smile, "Could I see you for a minute? It's about what we did earlier today."

I say, "Could it wait until the morning? Carlotta and Rosalina are here and--"

She raises an eyebrow, "Carlotta and Rosalina always here. I'm sure they know how to take care of themselves for only a few minutes. It can't wait."

I stand, "Of course."

I follow her down the hall and into her office. I can count the number of times I've been in her office on one hand and none of the experiences are good. The time I got busted for sneaking out at night. The time she found Rosalina's alcohol in my room.

I take a seat in front of her desk and she takes one behind. She stares at me for a second, long enough to make me uncomfortable.

I say, "What is it you needed?"

"I thought we should talk about the meeting again. I thought that maybe you got the wrong idea."

"How so?" Does she realize how much I am doubting the justice behind her decision?