Drabble – I'm Sorry
Puppies are easy to tell if they are sorry about something that they have done wrong. Their ears flatten against their head; their tails slink between their legs and their eyes are filled with remorse. There is no doubt about what they are feeling. Some men, on the other hand, are harder to read, especially if they are kings.
Take Hephaestion's King for example. He has never been know to apologize for anything no matter how wrong he may have been or how awful the deed. His ears don't go down, he has no tail to creep between his legs and his eyes don't fill with remorse. Well, maybe the eyes do a little but not to the public and his subjects. But Hephaestion does get to see, on very rare occasion, some tiny remorse in his eyes. And then the fun begins, especially if the sad eyes are because of another wrongful deed done to Hephaestion by his great king himself.
The morning after another dastardly deed was calm and serene. Hephaestion was in his room with the puppies sipping on some tea. The quiet of the morning was relaxing and the puppies napped at his feet. As soon as Alexander awoke, Hephaestion expected all of that to change. He smiled to himself when he heard the door to his room softly open and close again. The puppies raised their heads and went to greet the visitor with affection and tail wagging. Hephaestion never moved a muscle from his seat.
"Joy to you Hephaestion." The King said sheepishly.
"Joy to you Alexander." Hephaestion said without turning around.
The King did not sit down in the chair across from Hephaestion but continued to pace behind him, the puppies following in the parade.
"Are you well today?" Began the King again.
"Fine."
More pacing followed. Finally the puppies quit the parade and flopped down at Hephaestion's feet again. Alexander took a few more laps and then took the seat in front of Hephaestion, his eyes looking extremely remorseful.
"I think I was a bit of an arse last night."
No reply.
"Um…did you hear what I just said?"
"Aye."
"I wasn't on my best behavior."
Silence.
Alexander ran his hand through his already tussled hair and started mumbling to himself and the floor. Hephaestion smiled into his cup.
'"Look, you know I'm not good at this so don't make it any harder."
"Not good at what?"
"Saying I'm sorry."
The words were no longer out of his mouth when Alexander stopped dead in his tracks and shut his mouth with a resounding snap.
Hephaestion stood up from his chair and went to his desk leaving a shocked King still sitting. He recovered soon enough and followed Hephaestion to the desk. His general was bent over his desk writing on a scroll.
"What is the date today?"
"Huh?"
"The date, what is the date?"
"Why?" asked the King.
"I want to record this day for history…the day Alexander actually said 'I'm sorry'."