Alice’s Box

Beatrice looked at the box just in front of her.  She held it with both hand while it rested on her lap.  Tears fell on the lid; Beatrice sat motionless, deep in her thoughts.  It had been a couple of hard days since the death of his brother; murdered by her lover.  She would now be the Queen of Remenia, as she had planned.  With Alice demise, Beatrice easily distorted the events of that day.  She said Alice had confessed she had deprived the King of his life, before committing suicide in front of Beatrice.

Once again the kingdom mourned the death of its King.  Once again they would crown a member of the royal family; and it would be Queen Beatrice.  She grinned with that reflection.  But the smile would fade at once.  The price she had to pay was stiff; she had lost her love Alice.  The rain compounded her feelings, but she enjoyed feeling miserable.

Duke Roland visited Beatrice earlier that morning and delivered the box in Beatrice hands.  He found the box while cleaning Alice’s wardrobe.  The box had Beatrice name on it.  The Duke knew how close Alice was to Beatrice, and had respected what he thought were Alice wishes.  As he departed, he knelt and kissed Beatrice’s hand.  She could the sadness in his face; loosing his daughter was devastating.

The Physician of Last Resort

The phone rang, and Bernard almost jumped off his chair.  The iPhone showed Mark’s name, phone number, and his Facebook photo.  He touched the screen to answer the call.  «We are on our way.  Are you ready?»  Mark asked.

Bernard looked for Joan, moved a bit to the left, and saw her packing some shoes and closing the bag.  «Yeah, we will be down to the lobby in ten.»

Sunset

Bernard and Joan lived on a 20th floor of an apartment building.  The building was right in front of the bay, across the seafront.  It was a small apartment, but it fulfilled its purpose as a transitional location.  They never planned for the spectacular view and gorgeous sunsets.  Bernard gazed through the window; the sun was coming down, painting the sky with blue, red, and orange bands.  He sighed.  Joan approached Bernard, embracing him, and leaning her head on his shoulder.  Time paused for a moment as a perfect moment transpired.  The phone rang again; Mark had arrived.