Free Asenath by Anna Patricio Page A

me.
    Gentle hands lifted me up.
    "Come, Asenath," said Father's soft voice. "We are going home."
    I did not come out of my room for two weeks. I knew I had disgraced my family in the worst way possible. But that did not matter. Nothing mattered anymore.
    Belonging to Neith. What a joke! There was no sacred protection of the goddess. There was no hope, no happiness, no future. Only pain.
    What a fool I had been to think a bright new world had opened up for me. No matter where I went, no matter what I was―whether I was a peasant, a temple servant or a noblewoman―everything would always end tragically.
    One day, my parents came into the room. I had just awoken from another dreamless sleep. I turned my back on them, unable to face them.
    Mother placed a tender hand on my arm. "Asenath, how are you feeling?"
    I looked at her, unable to speak.
    She sat on the edge of my bed. "Are you all right, love?"
    Father appeared beside her. "Daughter, I am so sorry about what happened. I heard what those people said to you. If it will make you feel any better, I happen to know that their parents are no better. In fact, those families have rather vile reputations."
    "Do not allow them to destroy your life," Mother said. "You have so much to live for."
    I snorted.
    "You have come such a long way," Father said. "We are very proud of you. You don't want to throw everything away just because of a few jealous brats."
    Mother gently tugged my arm. "Come now. Let me help you out of bed."
    I whimpered. "But if I go back out there, they'll try to hurt me again. Please, just send me away."
    Mother's grip on me tightened.
    "No, Asenath," Father said. "We will not do that. We have waited so long for you."
    "Yes," Mother said. "Come now. We will help you through this."
    I had no doubt my parents were sincere. But I was now scared of the world. I pulled the blanket over my head.
    Mother gently drew it back.
    "Please, Asenath. Let me help you out of bed. Come now, love, please."
    "It will be fine, daughter," Father said. "You will see. Come now." He extended his hand to me.
    "No."
    "It will be fine, I promise. Let us help you now. Come."
    My parents coaxed, pleaded and prodded. Soon it was clear they were not giving up.
    I had no choice. I reluctantly allowed Mother to help me out of bed.
    A couple of pleasant surprises awaited me on my return from the world of the half-dead. First, all my school assignments had been rescheduled. None of my tutors scolded me, let alone mentioned the incident at the party.
    A week later, my parents gifted me with a puppy and a kitten. I was delighted for I had always wanted a pet. The closest I had had to one was a small lizard Menah had given me years ago in the fishing village. After a few days, the lizard disappeared and was never seen again.
    My new pets were both males. Out of humour, I named them Horus and Seth, after two gods who had battled against each other. Despite this and the fact that their lineages destined them to be enemies, the pets got along quite well.
    For a long time, I was not obliged to attend social affairs. But one day Father informed me that he and Mother would be having a few people over for dinner.
    "Lord Potiphar will be there too," Father said. "But thankfully not his wife. Anyhow, I know you are not very keen on social events. But Lord Potiphar has told me he would like to talk to you. He still remembers you. He wants to know how you have been. Surely you can mingle if only for a little while?"
    I considered this. From what I remembered Lord Potiphar had been a kind and amiable man. He would probably not be too difficult to deal with.
    But I was still hesitant. "How many people will be there?"
    I did not have the courage to face a big group. Not after what happened last time.
    Father frowned, thinking. "Hmm. Around ten. Maybe even less. But these are all people I know very well. They will be good to you."
    I was finally convinced. "All right. I suppose I can stay a bit."
    That night, I