Just Call Me Lily

Mommy Dearest

"The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any"

- Alice Walker

I gave Gabrielle a tour of her new home while the cook prepared our lunch. Her eyes gleamed in astonishment at every entry of each room. I decided against giving her a tour of the dungeon however. That can wait until she's completely comfortable here and gets a full understanding of who I am.

The moment we stepped outside she gasped, taken aback by the landscape. As we trailed the path leading to the garden, she looked up at me with tear filled eyes..

"Why are you helping me?" She asked..

"You don't believe you are deserving?" I asked in return..

"No one's ever helped me.. Without wanting something from me" she replied..

"All I want from you is to evolve... To fully embrace your natural power and take back control of your sexuality. You have it in you Gabrielle.. Just like many other human women I had taught to maneuver past patriarchy" I said..

She furrowed her eyebrows in wonder of my response.. "Who ARE you?" She asked..

"That will be revealed shortly... But first, I'd like to know more about you" I said while gesturing for her to have a seat at the table..

Two of my servants pulled out our chairs for us to sit, and served us Mimosas while we waited for our food... "Eric is on his way with your lunches Mistress Lily" one of them replied, awaiting further instructions..

" Very well... You both are dismissed" I replied and they both bowed and walked away..

A look of pure delight washed over Gabrielle's face as she took a sip of her cocktail. I'm finally getting a good look at her, and I realize she is very young..

"How old are you Gabrielle?" I asked..

"18.. I'll be 19 next month" she replied..

"Well.. By modern morality.. You're practically still a child. How long have you been a Lady of the Night?" I asked..

"I was 15 when my mama gave me to Tito.. So about 3 years" she nonchalantly replied..

"Were you poor?... You and your mother?" I inquired once more.. This isn't my first knowledge of mothers selling off their daughters to men. Usually it was because they were starving and felt that their daughters had a better chance at survival..