One and the Same
2
Albert sighs and opens the door wider with a shake of his head. She would just come to but him later anyway. As Charlotte steps inside Rosey growls get louder. Rosey never liked Charlotte, all she ever managed was tolerance. Albert pets the dog's head and she goes silent.
"How is your dad doing?" Charlotte asks when he doesn't speak.
"Don't pretend you care." Albert folds his arms over his chest, "We both know you aren't here to talk about my father's declining health."
"I was just being polite."
He didn't believe that for a moment but they could argue all night if he pushed her, "Let's get to the point, what requires you talking to me in the middle of the night under Yemth's protection."
She flinches but her tone is indignant, "The protest won't take all day and you don't even have to be there for all of it."
Not this again, how many times did this make? "I already gave you my answer, you can't convince me otherwise."
"Why!" Her shriek starts Rosey growling again, "Your mother died in that stupid war and your dad--"
"I know full well the devastation the war caused." He stops her, "Many people lost mothers, sisters, and wives and those that came home still have to live with the nightmares the war brought. I don't wan tto be there when you create a place that belongs to Tutala."
"You're over-exaggerating, we aren't creating a battlefield."
"Do you think war is the only time she reigns?" He scoffs and opens the door, "Tell your excuses to the people who have to clean up after your protest. As long as you insist on creating chaos my answer won't change."
Charlotte Scowls at him as she leaves, "Nothing will change if they don't understand how serious we are. If you were even half as brave as your mother you would stand up for your convictions."
Her words dredged up memories of his dad crying. Albert's voice is low and harsh, "The letter we got with my mother's ashes described her in the same way."
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