C44 044

SCOTT

I was surprised to come home and find Lucia and Shasta hugging, both naked, and Shasta crying. In all the time I'd known her, in five years, I'd never seen her cry, nor for that matter, barely laugh. Always solemn, contained and stoic, she'd had to grow up earlier than most young women due to her child, who she rarely talked about.

"Hello," I said, "What's up?"

"Master