Talia watches silently as Cele lays out a new outfit for her. Time did not seem to pass here, but Talia’s nerves were keeping track for her. Cele still had not explained how she and Talia are mother and daughter. Talia begins to suspect she never will.
“Is William my father?” Talia asks for the hundredth time.
Cele gives her a patient look and motions for her to get undressed. At first, Talia was appalled to get naked in front of her. Now, it was as natural as breathing. Talia removes the pale pink nightgown and tosses it to Cele’s waiting hands. She goes over to the steaming bowl of water and uses the towel and soap to wash her body. The soap smells of roses and cinnamon. It gives her skin a tingle and soothes her emotions to near bliss. Talia knows there is more to the soap than flowe
