How Is Your Mother?

Writers: Paula, Vix
Date Posted: 31st July 2008

Characters: Corowal, Vanea
Description: Corowal asks Vanea about her mother.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 11, day 2 of Turn 4

"Hello, Vanea," Corowal greeted the Headwoman, when she entered his office.

"Good morning," the woman replied, pausing beside the chair in front
of his desk. "You sent for me?"

"I believe you should have some reports for me. Are they ready yet?"
Corowal replied.

"Not quite," she told him with a sigh. "Whenever I start in on them,
something comes up to keep me from finishing."

"I know that feeling," Corowal nodded and grinned. "So, how is your
mother? Not wandered off the Thread Fall again?"

"No," Vanea answered uncomfortably, remembering the waiting while her
mother was missing, as well as the disruption to the routine as she
and others had searched for the elderly woman. "We've been keeping a
close eye on her. Of course, that's taken some rescheduling for me and
my daughters."

"Ever thought about hiring a permanent nurse for her?" Corowal asked.

The Headwoman bristled at the suggestion. "I couldn't do that – I came
here to take care of her." Her shoulders slumped. "But I guess I
haven't done a very good job of that."

"Perhaps you get a lock on the door, the kind of you can lock
outside." Corowal said with a shrug.

Vanea looked shocked at the suggestion. "But that would be unfair to
her, to keep her away from other people. I feel that I should at least
have her around other people during the day."

"Well, it's up to you to decide what do with her," Corowal shrugged.
Deep down he thought that if she was so badly demented, perhaps death
would be mercy. But it was none of his business and he didn't let a
flicker of that thought to be seen his face. His face only showed
gentle concern.

Though she sometimes wished that the decisions about Neana did not
fall on her, the Headwoman nodded. "Yes, Lord Corowal. And I'll see to
it that her care does not interfere with my duties."

"And I'm keeping you from them with idle conversation," Corowal marked
with self-irony.

Taking that as a dismissal, Vanea rose from her chair. "Yes, Lord
Holder. I'll get to those reports right away."

"Thank you, Vanea," Corowal said.

She nodded to him in response, leaving the room hoping that she would
not let him down.

Corowal watched her leave with a thoughtful expression. She was a good
headwoman, but if this matter with her mother started to interfere with
her work, he just might have to do something about it.

Last updated on the August 1st 2008

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How Is Your Mother?