MY FATHER'S NAME

I walked into the steward’s office because he said Aziel wanted routine records updated and I believed him for exactly two seconds and then he closed the door behind me and he did it slowly and he fixed that quiet neat smile on me and I knew this was not routine at all and I just stayed there because running would look worse

“And you came from the countryside yes” he said while shuffling papers that were already straight and I said yes even though my voice caught a little and he certainly heard it since his eyes flicked up at me although he pretended they didn’t

“And your father was a hunter and your mother was a seamstress or was it the other way around because I think you said something different last week although I could be mistaken since people talk quickly when they’re new and nervous and sweating like you are right now” he kept talking in that soft tone like he was discussing the weather not dissecting me and I told him my father was a hunter yes and my mother sewed clothes som