TRUTH

"Are you with us, honey? Did you not hear what Anne said?" Serena inquired, her face concerned.

"Ah, yes, dear, what was it you were saying?" Raven smiled uncomfortably and resumed eating.

Samson looked at him, puzzled as to what was wrong. Did the meeting with Ashley's father go badly?

"Never mind," Anne grumbled, "you don't care anyway."

"Stop it," Samson said, clenching his teeth.

Raven rose from his seat and motioned Samson to follow him.

"I'll be right back," Samson excused himself and stood up, while Serena stared at Raven, puzzled. She had last seen this expression when she was in labor with Anne.

"You shouldn't talk to your father that way, darling; he's still your father," she said gently.

"I'll have to live with that fact for the rest of my life," Anne said casually as she continued to eat.

Serena sighed and turned to face the maid.