Chapter 50

• Seraphina, a moderately aged lady with a quality of shrewdness encompassing her, gazed directly ahead with a peaceful disposition as I laughed somewhat, my shame at being surprised obvious. "Sorry," I said, my words touched with a sprinkle of timidity, "a ton of things came up that I expected to leave now."
• Seraphina shook her head, her demeanor kind yet firm. "No, my dear, you don't leave now," she answered, her voice conveying a feeling of assurance. "Not until you know reality with regards to your starting point."
• I squinted in shock, her words making a fountain of inquiries twirl inside me.