Seren shut the door to their house, careful not to shake the house this time. The smile stuck on their face as they hummed to themselves. They wiggled their shoulders and couldn’t help dancing a little with all the joyful emotion in their soul. Turning and noticing their dad absent from the room.

“Dad?” Seren said, wandering under the curtain into what served as his room. Their dad was sitting on the bed with his head hung.

“Dad? What is it?” They sat next to him on the bed. Pulling his arm out and wrapping it around their shoulders. “We did good… didn’t we?” Their dad sniffed and Seren bent their head down so they could see he was crying.

“Did I do something wrong?” Seren whimpered.

“No, no.” Their dad sat up and hugged them tightly. “No. It’s not you. You did great.”

“Then why are you so sad?” Seren asked.

“I…” He started then sighed. “I wanted them to love you. Like I do.”

“It’s okay, I don’t think I want them to.” Seren said, “They aren’t that nice.”

“Not really no,” their dad shrugged. “I mean. They were once. They just changed a lot after you came along.”

“Why?” Seren asked, letting their dad take his arm back.

“They got a little caught up in the rumors, like everyone else.” their dad said. “And it changed them.”

“Is that why they don’t talk to us?” Seren asked.

“Yeah,” their dad nodded. “But it’s okay. We don’t need them.”

“Yeah!” Seren said and hugged their dad.

“When’s your next work day?” Their dad asked.

“Monday, why?” Seren asked.

“Cause I’m going to go with you, I want to speak to Eric.” Their dad said he stood up and pulled Seren up to their feet as well.

“Are you mad at him?” They asked worriedly as their dad opened the curtain for them.

“I’m not sure yet,” His dad said. “But for now, let’s just focus on making some lunch.”

“Okay!” Seren skipped into the kitchen.

—

Seren’s heart leapt into their throat. They had tried their hardest to not to think about Monday but now Monday was here. And now they had to think of it.

“Are you sure you’re not mad at him?” Seren asked again as they walked around the steam works toward the Summer district.

“I’m sure, I just want to have a talk.” Their dad said, but it didn’t reassure Seren or ease the uneasy feeling in their stomach.

“Promise you’re not going to yell at him?” Seren said with what little authority they had.

“I promise,” their dad agreed. There was no smile on his face, nor had there been all morning. Seren stared at his face, trying to guess whether or not he was serious, and taking them seriously as well. Entering the Summer district Seren decided they would just have to trust him.

“I can show you which house is his,” Seren said. Trying to cheer up and hope their smile would catch.

“I know which one’s his.” Their dad said. Seren shut their mouth tightly.

“How?” Seren asked finally.

“Hard not to know,” their dad said. “These places stand out and practically scream who they belong to.”

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“All right,” Seren said slowly. Watching to see if their dad knew where he was going or not. They hung back slightly to let their dad lead. Watching all the streets, waiting to see if their dad would make a wrong turn. However, he never did. He didn’t go the same way Seren would have, but went directly to Mr. Asche’s house with no detours. Finding it so easily that Seren wondered if he’d been there before.

Their dad rang the doorbell and the reality of the situation settled on Seren with a layer of nausea and anxiety.

“Do you have to?” Seren asked.

“I think so,” their dad nodded. Seren sighed, their dad didn’t even blink. So they sighed louder. “Something wrong?”

“I just don’t want you to.” Seren said.

“I’m sorry, hun.” Their dad said. The door lock clicked and Mrs. Houper opened the door.

“Good morning Seren! Good to see you back,” She said with a warm smile. “We have your clothes if you would like them back.”

“Yes please,” Seren said. Reaching into their side bag to bring out their own bundle. “I brought you the clothes I borrowed as well.”

“Wonderful,” She said. “Come in, and I’ll see you when Seren is done for the day?” She addressed Seren’s dad.

“Actually, I would like to speak to Eric about Seren. Now if possible.” The dad said, Seren felt a rock plummet down to the bottom of their stomach.

“Oh, I believe he has a little time… Come in.” Mrs. Houper opened the door and invited them both in. Seren immediately bent down and took off their shoes, and their dad slipped his off as well. Mrs. Houper walked off and pressed the little speaker in the wall.

"Sir? You have a visitor." She spoke to the speaker.

"Serenity? Send them up." The voice on the other side said.

"Yes, they are here but their father would like a word as well." Mrs. Houper said.

"What? Why?"

"Shall I send them both up?" Mrs. Houper turned to smile at Seren.

"Yeah, go ahead." The voice sighed irritably. Mrs. Houper nodded and turned back to them.

"Go ahead, he's in the library." Mrs. Houper said and gestured to the stairs. Seren took the lead and went up the stairs to the second floor. They knocked on the library door, a ringing in their ears from their dad being so close to them.

"Come in,"

Seren opened the door and walked in. Putting on a brave face and pretending they were more confident than they were. Mr. Asche was standing at one bookshelf. Placing a book back into the shelving.

"Welcome back," he said, "your instructions are on the table."

"Kay," Seren said. They picked up the little folder on the table. "I'll be back," they waved goodbye to their dad and left the room.

"And you?" They heard Mr. Asche asked their dad. Seren slowed down, trying to hear most of the conversation.

"We had a talk with my parents, and they are very upset." Their dad said.

"Ah, well." Mr. Asche sighed. "Let's take this conversation up to the study then." Seren quickly ran down the stairs to avoid being caught eavesdropping. They looked up the stairs from the bottom of the staircase and wondered what the two would talk about.

“Heading out for the day, Seren?” Mrs. Houper asked.

“Uh… yeah.” Seren said, still staring up the stairs. “I’m going.”

“What are you looking for?” Mrs. Houper looked over their shoulder.

“Nothing,” Seren said. Turning and digging into their bag, “Here you can have your clothes back.”

“Oh, thank you dear! I’ll send your clothes home with your dad.” Mrs. Houper took the bundle from them.

“Mrs. Houper?” Seren asked, readjusting their bag on their shoulder. “Something’s bugging me.”

“What is it?” She asked.

“I don’t know how to ask it…” Seren said, trying hard to put words to their curiosity. “Uhm… you.. Are you married to Mr. Asche?” Mrs. Houper burst out laughing. She laughed so hard tears came to her eyes.

“No honey, oh no.” She said between her laughter and gasps for air. “No, I just work as a housekeeper. I keep the house and the staff and then go home to my family.”

“Ooohhh.” Seren nodded. “I guess that makes sense then.”

“Yes dear. Whew.” Mrs. Houper produced a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes. “I haven’t laughed that hard in a while. I feel like I might need a cup of tea.” Seren smiled and looked up the staircase again.

“Well, I guess I should head off.” Seren said. Not moving from the bottom of the staircase.

“Probably,” Mrs. Houper said. Seren stepped back, slowly moving away.

“All right, I’m leaving.” Seren said.

“Okay, be safe.” Mrs. Houper waved. “Oh, wait. Seren, what about the vest or a weapon?”

“Nah, it’s fine.” Seren said, not paying much attention to what Mrs. Houper was saying

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah,” Seren bent down and pulled on their boots. “I’m fine,”

“If you say so,” Mrs. Houper said worriedly. Seren stood up and stomped a few times to fit their boots right. They stared at the stairs and backed out the door. Slowly shutting it but once it was latched Seren had to think about getting to work. Despite the weight of what their dad was talking about, what he was saying about them.