STORIES
83-Kama Sutra: Epilogue
Sunday in Daprima and Grace's room ...
GRACE:
… but Daprima, I wasn’t fibbing. Brynie did give me the Hello
Kitty lunchbox, yes he did. So you see, I told the truth.
DAPRIMA:
You told me some of the truth. You failed to mention
that you blackmailed him into doing it.
GRACE:
It’s a pink Hello Kitty lunchbox and I didn’t mail anything anywhere.
What does black-mail have to do with anything? I don't
even like black. I like pink. Pink’s my favorite color, yes it.
DAPRIMA:
Grace, blackmail has nothing to do with the post office.
Come over here, I want to explain this to you.
DAPRIMA:
You caught Brynie doing something he shouldn't have been doing.
GRACE:
He was looking at dirty pictures, yes he was!
DAPRIMA:
First off, they weren’t dirty, just inappropriate
- and how do you know what he was looking at?
GRACE:
Because I saw them when I sneaked up on him. I scared him too.
I was hiding behind the sofa and I jumped up and yelled …
DAPRIMA:
Right. Let’s just say that he was looking at something that wasn’t
meant for him or you. You could’ve let it be.
GRACE:
But he was doing something wrong, yes he was.
DAPRIMA:
And you made a deal with him.
GRACE:
Yup, and he bought me my new Hello Kitty lunchbox.
Wasn’t that so very nice of him?
DAPRIMA:
No. You made him buy it and in return you wouldn’t tell on him,
right? That’s blackmail – not only is it wrong but it’s illegal.
GRACE:
Why?
DAPRIMA:
Because you don’t treat people like that. It’s just not nice.
But that’s not the reason I’m going to punish you.
GRACE:
Punish me? You’re going to punish me? How could you
do such a thing to your sweet, adorable, baby sister?
DAPRIMA:
Because my sweet, adorable, baby sister lied to me.
GRACE:
But I didn’t lie, not really ...
DAPRIMA:
You left out part of the truth and that's the same as lying.
GRACE:
I guess. Are you making me give back my Hello Kitty lunchbox?
DAPRIMA:
No, you can keep it, but no TV for five days.
GRACE:
Five days! But Daprima I have to watch my cartoonies.
If I don’t ... well, I’ll just die, yes I will.
DAPRIMA:
And you’re going to apologize to Brynie.
GRACE:
Why? If he wasn’t so stupid about hiding that book
then this wouldn’t have happened in the first place.
DAPRIMA:
... Or I take back the lunchbox, in addition to no TV.
GRACE:
You mean you’ll … but isn’t that blackmail?
DAPRIMA:
Yes it is. I’m so glad I could make you understand.
GRACE:
OK, I’ll go apologize to Brynie right now, yes I will.
DAPRIMA:
Good girl.
Later ...
FIN:
How’d it go with Grace?
DAPRIMA:
I think it’ll be a while before she lies to me again. What about Brynie?
FIN:
I’m giving up. I just have to face the fact that
my clever, little brother is a pervert.
DAPRIMA:
Haha. Oh babe, he’s just a normal kid. Weren’t you curious at his age?
FIN:
I was never his age. Karanthir and I were on our own. I was too
busy trying to keep us fed, find us a place to sleep and get us some kind
of education. I don’t remember having time to think about sex.
DAPRIMA:
And Karanthir?
FIN:
Well, he is Karanthir. He thinks I shouldn't make a bid deal about this.
It's the first time he's ever stood up for Brynie.
DAPRIMA:
I agree with him.
FIN:
Do you know that Brynie brought that book to school and was
selling glimpses of it to … anyone. He made over sixty dollars!
I mean, where does he come up with these ideas? Ya know …
FIN:
… I’ve come to the conclusion that Brynie, like Karanthir, is much smarter than I’ll ever be.
DAPRIMA:
Aw my poor Fin. You'll get over it. Listen babe, I have news. Syrrah’s taking Grace home with her so, I’ll have this room all to myself, for a while anyway. Isn't that great?
FIN:
All by yourself huh? Won’t you get lonely?
DAPRIMA:
Are you kidding? I’ve always wanted my own room.
FIN:
Somehow it just doesn’t seem fair ... you all alone in
here and me stuck with my three brothers down the hall.
DAPRIMA:
Rumor has it that Karanthir's staying in Es’s room.
FIN:
He still makes an appearance every once in a while.
FIN:
... So, what if you get cold?
DAPRIMA:
That’s what blankets are for.
FIN:
What if you have a bad dream?
DAPRIMA:
That’s what night lights are for.
FIN:
I guess you won’t be needing me then.
DAPRIMA:
I expect to be busy. I have so much reading to do ...
DAPRIMA:
… starting with this. How about I read it to you?
FIN:
What do you mean read? That’s more of a visual aid.
DAPRIMA:
You ‘re so right …
DAPRIMA:
… Remember, Grace will be back any minute now.
FIN:
Right, when does she leave with Syrrah?
DAPRIMA:
Not soon enough. I do need one thing from you
before we’re interrupted … a good night kiss.
