My father is conducting his morning business as we sit at the table. People come to him, left and right,
asking for his opinion, asking for his advice. He answers them with little enthusiasm; he shrugs them off
like they are pesky flies swarming around him. "Mayor Broderie, Mayor Broderie" they buzz. He hardly
looks up from his papers as he sips from his mug. My mother sits across from him, her expression
vacant. She looks tired and weary. She hardly eats a thing. She's become so distant lately. She hardly
speaks to me or to anyone, only staring at my father with blank expressions. Some days I've walked
past her room, only to find her curled up in her bed, eyes entranced by the blank wall in front of her.
I direct my eyes from her now as someone reaches over me to grab my cup, filling it carefully. I glance
up, and am surprised to see a new face. This face belongs to a young man, with icy blue eyes and an
expression within them that I can't place. His dark hair waves over his forehead, tempting to cover
those eyes. He moves to my father now, filling his cup then moving to the far side of the room waiting
to be summoned.
I divert my eyes away from him and look around the room for our other servants. Finding no one, I
consider that my father must have received a new servant, considering I haven't seen the old hag in
days, he must be her replacement. I'm relieved. She was old, slow, and always spilt my drink as she
poured it.
Realizing that thinking of our Avoxes is no real concern to me I move my thoughts towards the
homework assignments I have due today and how I wish I had actually done them.
Wiping my mouth with my napkin I stand up and kiss my father on the cheek before walking out the
door. My eyes never failed though, to catch those of the Avox as he waits near the door.