" Look at this place. I can't believe you voluntarily let yourself be locked up in here."
" I've been in worse places."
Irina sat down and smiled. She was glad that Aurora wasn't mad and talking to her since no one else was. "How's our darling mother?"
" Mom? She's - the same."
" Does she know that I'm alive?"
" Oh yeah. I told her and she- well burned all your pictures, cut your face out of family portraits and then you crossed your name out of the family bible."
" You're kidding!" Irina said laughing. " When did she get a bible?"
" Well she had to buy one first but-"
" She bought bible, wrote my name in it and then crossed it out."
" Yeah. She's furious." Aurora said laughing.
" So I shouldn't expect a visit from her."
Irina thought of her mother and imagined her doing thoughts things. She and her mother were nothing alike, no one was like her mother. The term mother had to be used loosely when referring to Anastasia; she was a child and always had been. Their father had always taken care of her and after he died the responsibility of taking care of Anastasia was supposed to be hers but Aurora took on the job, which certainly was one.
" I wouldn't expect a visit but I wouldn't put an assassination attempt past her so watch your back." Aurora smile faded as she asked her next question. " I've tried to get her to get you released but she refuses. How are things with you?"