Wings Unfolding-2

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A long black limousine pulled around the corner and slowed to turn into the driveway. Monroe looked down to see if her pounding heart was moving the fabric of her coat. She wished the sun would come out long enough to allow her to don sunglasses. Then she would have felt completely sure of herself.

The car moved up the drive and under the portico. Monroe was astonished at how close it was to her. One step, one reach and she could have touched anyone that emerged from the passenger side of the car. She looked down at the burning cigarette, flicking ashes.

She recognized Serena from her leg. That was all it took--a perfectly heeled, slim leg emerging from the car. No need to watch the rest of her come into view. Her husband Robert followed her. Clarissa unfolded next, followed by her live-in Stephen. Would they look? Would they see her eyes and know? If she deliberately avoided looking at them, would they suspect?

Why do I always forget how self absorbed they are, how conscious of position? Monroe thought. They were the children of the lord of the manor. They felt no need to acknowledge an underling guest smoking outside the front door. Only Stephen had the courtesy to nod before he placed his hand in the small of Serena's back and propelled her forward while she touched a handkerchief to her eye. There wasn't the faintest glimmer of recognition.

This remembering, plus the small success with Stephen all served to strengthen her. Monroe waited until the driver eased the limousine away from the door. She crushed the cigarette thoroughly under her heel and walked into the house.

"What are you saying, Franco?" The high-pitched wail came from the waiting parlor where the butler was taking the heat.

"Ma'am, as I said, the funeral was yesterday." Franco spoke in the calm level tone he always did.

"That can't be!" It was the closest Serena could come to screeching. "Why oh why did I leave such important details to the baby of the family! Monroe has always been an incompetent fool."

Monroe almost snorted. Why indeed? They had left everything to the baby for years. They had even stopped coming home for the holidays. If they rang, it was to ask to use the house for a party of some sort.

It seemed there was some unwritten contract that the youngest, whose birth had robbed the family of their caretaker, would assume that role. Especially when it came to caring for their ailing, housebound father after a hunting accident left him partially paralyzed. How gracious their gods had been to see that the accident had occurred when their Monie was sixteen and old enough to care for all the details, from Father's care and meals, to organizing the renovation that had made the house comfortable for him.

As far as her siblings were concerned, Monroe had all she deserved in life.

In that regard they were about to be right for the very first time.

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Tune in tomorrow for the next exciting episode of Wings Unfolding :)