Spare Me

Cruden disappeared again.

Roselia couldn't help, but wonder if he was purposely ignoring her. Did she do something to him that he didn't like? Was her presence that irritating? Couldn't he at least come home for dinner?

Just one meal together, was that too much to ask?

"Noah," Roselia said one sunny afternoon in the gardens. He was falling asleep with a book in his hand, his head drooping every few seconds.

"Yeah?" Noah forced himself to look at her, despite his heavy eyelids. She had finally finished watering all the flowers, but that was pointless. They had an automatic sprinkler that went off every morning. He doubted she woke up on time to know that.

"Do you think Cruden will let me visit my Papa?" 

Noah sat upright. "What for?"

Roselia shrugged. "I just have a few questions for him."

"Like what?" Noah pressed, leaning forward on the garden table. Now, she had his attention.