Newspaper Clippings 2

Pic: Doris

Doris stood up and motioned to Manvreet to join her for a private conversation. Manvreet agreed, so the two of them left Grandpa to tend to Lester’s education.

Once they were far enough away, Doris began, “I didn’t want Lester to hear, but let’s be honest: our son is already five hundred years old—”

“—that’s still very young,” interrupted Manvreet.

“I know, but he was just a hatchling when we came down here, and I don’t think being cooped up for this long has been good for his development. Also, I think all this second-hand smoke has softened his brain.”

“Nonsense, he’s fine.”

“No, look at him. Do you remember how we were at his age? We were young, but we were independent.” Doris paused for a moment. “Do you remember the day we met?”

“How could I forget?” said Manvreet. “You were elegantly picking at a carcass—you do everything with finesse—and your lips were rouged; you were a sight to behold.”

“And you came along with your dorsal spines pulled back, looking all slick, and you had your throat frills extended. And your jowls, my goodness, your jowls; they were the biggest I’d ever seen. I knew that you must have powerful jaws. Then, you sauntered right up to me and handed me the most beautiful arrangement of entrails.”

“Do you know how much I had to sort through to find the right ones?”

“I know. You always made an extra effort. You were an amazing specimen, a species unto yourself. You had strength and sharp judgment, but you also had consideration and a level-headed sensitivity. Not like the other males,” she said, glancing at Grandpa. “I was certain that you were the one for me, and I imagined the spectacular offspring you would sire. But–”

“But what? What are you trying to say?”

“We ended up with Lester. He’s a big dragon, by far the biggest of our kind, more than I could have hoped for, but he’s not getting what he needs, and he has such special needs. That’s why I feel we should go back to the topside world. For Lester’s sake.”

Manvreet furrowed his enormous brow, sighed deeply, and touched his mate on her shoulder. “You know what happened. We made a pact. It’s a matter of honour.”

“Aarg! You and your honour,” she growled, jerking her shoulder away. “Bleeding clot, it’s been five hundred years. That incident has faded into the distant past. Who’s going to remember a stupid pact, which  you’re not even sure was necessary? Many human generations have passed. Your precious pact has probably disappeared from their living memory. Even if there were some surviving myth, what difference would it make to us now? Lester’s grown. What good is your honour doing him?” 

Small angry flames darted from Manvreet’s flared nostrils. “Don’t talk to me as if it’s my fault. If it weren’t for me, we wouldn’t still be alive. I did what I had to for you and for Lester, especially for Lester. But, no, you conveniently leave that part out.” Manvreet saw Doris tense up, and he became aware that he was verging on losing his temper. One moment longer, one thoughtless word more, and this conversation would descend into a pointless fight. Softening his expression and his tone, he continued, “I acknowledge that you have valid concerns about Lester. I share those concerns, I really do. And I concede that you’re probably right about nobody remembering the pact. I know that I can be stubborn and that it upsets you. I’m sorry.”