“I would have expected nothing less.” She placed her face just inches from his. “And just what shall we do with you dear Drachius?”Drachius’... pride had been damaged beyond belief and he was passed caring at what was to become of him. He just stared at the gloating Melissia.“I shall have you impaled, after all the idea of doing that to me did cross your mind did it not?”Drachius’ face seemed to drain of all colour. It pleased Melissia that she had thought of something to put fear into this. As Chris grew a little older, he found he loved to go shopping with hismother; he looked forward to helping her in the kitchen as she prepared theirsupper, and cleaned up afterward; and he especially loved those special timesin front of the vanity when she showed him how to sit like a lady and applylipstick.They were happy, golden times; so he didn't understand why she cried so theday he looked up at her while made up (with a lot of help from her), and saidbrightly, "When I grow up, I want to. He had grown up in the city, loved fast living, and harbored no regrets … I guarantee my grandparents were thoroughly exhausted and looking for someone to unload my father on when my mother came along. She was a god send as far as my grandparents were concerned.’ I sipped my spiked chocolate as I tried to explain why I could not marry Malichai, but the more I spoke, the less sense I made. My issue had nothing to do with my parents. I was reaching for excuses that just were not there. ‘My Papa. She tried several on but as far as she was concerned they were all beautiful and she did not want Tim to have to pay too much. Even so she narrowed the selection down to two which she exchanged on her finger a number of times. At last she took the larger one off, gazed at it and resolutely picked up the other one."This one?" she asked in a nervous little voice."I get the feeling you actually prefer the other one," Tim said softly.She shook her head. "It'll cost a bomb." As I said earlier, worth.