We ' ll speak later, after you ' ve calmed down. Goodbye, Lily. "
I was left with the immature urge to throw the phone across the room. I settled for stamping my foot and shouting into the air, " She drives me crazy! "
Cleocatra looked at me without sympathy. I deal with crazy all the time , she seemed to say.
The truth was I was angry with myself as well. In spite of the fact that I knew my mother and was always determined that I would not play her games, I still let her wind me up like a clock. I should accept that I was not going to change her and refuse to get upset. But I was a long way from mastering that skill.
Instead, I had a large Kahlua and milk and went to bed early with a book. I didn ' t care what my mother thought. Kent was perfect for me, and I was going to stick with him.
I returned home to Dendera with a very special gift. Kamenwati gave it to me on my last night in Edfu. It was a beautifully carved ivory scarab with outstretched wings.
" I had it made for you, my love, " he said proudly. " I would not want you to forget me before we are together again. Wear it next to your heart and it shall protect you. I have inscribed it with my own hands. " He laid a finger against the words etched onto the back. "' Sweetness to the flower of Hathor. ' Ah, what sweetness you have brought to my life. "
My happiness was so intense, I could scarcely contain it. Kamenwati had decided to join me at the temple of Hathor and Horus in Dendera. I had trusted the goddess with my fate, and she had not disappointed me.
Until I met Kamenwati, my life had always been one of duty. I was happy to be in my honored position, to serve the goddess, to do as my family bid me, and be content with their approval. But then that orderly life had been swept away like sand in a desert storm. For the first time, my feelings were deeply stirred. They no longer felt under control, which was frightening as well as intoxicating. Suddenly, my future was no longer laid out in a neat pattern.
I did not know what my uncle would say when I told him of Kamenwati. A scribe does not occupy the same exalted position as a priest of Horus. Nor does he have the same material means. Yet his is a respectable place, and his prospects of advancement are good. I did not believe Uncle would object too strenuously. As for Kahotep, he looks upon me more as a daughter than a wife. He will have no trouble finding a suitable woman, one that can make him truly happy.
Or so I thought. But it was different when I sought him out at the temple to tell him of my plans. What was it that I saw in his eyes? Sorrow? I felt a pang of remorse. Kahotep had sat me on his knee when I was a child, told me stories, taught me to read the words of the gods. It would hurt me to think he grieved at my choice. But his voice was steady when he spoke. " Is this what you truly desire, Amisi? " he asked me.
" With all my heart, " I replied.
" Then your heart will not be denied. I will speak with this Kamenwati and then with your uncle. May the blessings of Horus be with you. "
I threw my arms around him in joyous affection. " Thank you, oh, thank you, dearest friend, " I cried.
And so it has been arranged. A contract has been drawn up. I am leaving my home to move in with Kamenwati and become his wife.
He is standing outside of his house, waiting for me. The last rays of the setting sun seem to make him glow. My heart leaps in my breast. " Kamenwati! " I cry and run towards him.
He sweeps me up in a fierce embrace. His shoulders are so broad, his waist so slim, his skin so firm. Desire stirs in me, something I have never felt before. I know I have made the right decision.
Then his mouth comes down on mine. He carries me inside, kissing me all the while. I am trembling with excitement as he places me gently onto his bed. For a long moment, he looks into my eyes, and in his I see my happiness, my future, my life.
He removes my dress with a tug, then slips out of his tunic. How
I was left with the immature urge to throw the phone across the room. I settled for stamping my foot and shouting into the air, " She drives me crazy! "
Cleocatra looked at me without sympathy. I deal with crazy all the time , she seemed to say.
The truth was I was angry with myself as well. In spite of the fact that I knew my mother and was always determined that I would not play her games, I still let her wind me up like a clock. I should accept that I was not going to change her and refuse to get upset. But I was a long way from mastering that skill.
Instead, I had a large Kahlua and milk and went to bed early with a book. I didn ' t care what my mother thought. Kent was perfect for me, and I was going to stick with him.
I returned home to Dendera with a very special gift. Kamenwati gave it to me on my last night in Edfu. It was a beautifully carved ivory scarab with outstretched wings.
" I had it made for you, my love, " he said proudly. " I would not want you to forget me before we are together again. Wear it next to your heart and it shall protect you. I have inscribed it with my own hands. " He laid a finger against the words etched onto the back. "' Sweetness to the flower of Hathor. ' Ah, what sweetness you have brought to my life. "
My happiness was so intense, I could scarcely contain it. Kamenwati had decided to join me at the temple of Hathor and Horus in Dendera. I had trusted the goddess with my fate, and she had not disappointed me.
Until I met Kamenwati, my life had always been one of duty. I was happy to be in my honored position, to serve the goddess, to do as my family bid me, and be content with their approval. But then that orderly life had been swept away like sand in a desert storm. For the first time, my feelings were deeply stirred. They no longer felt under control, which was frightening as well as intoxicating. Suddenly, my future was no longer laid out in a neat pattern.
I did not know what my uncle would say when I told him of Kamenwati. A scribe does not occupy the same exalted position as a priest of Horus. Nor does he have the same material means. Yet his is a respectable place, and his prospects of advancement are good. I did not believe Uncle would object too strenuously. As for Kahotep, he looks upon me more as a daughter than a wife. He will have no trouble finding a suitable woman, one that can make him truly happy.
Or so I thought. But it was different when I sought him out at the temple to tell him of my plans. What was it that I saw in his eyes? Sorrow? I felt a pang of remorse. Kahotep had sat me on his knee when I was a child, told me stories, taught me to read the words of the gods. It would hurt me to think he grieved at my choice. But his voice was steady when he spoke. " Is this what you truly desire, Amisi? " he asked me.
" With all my heart, " I replied.
" Then your heart will not be denied. I will speak with this Kamenwati and then with your uncle. May the blessings of Horus be with you. "
I threw my arms around him in joyous affection. " Thank you, oh, thank you, dearest friend, " I cried.
And so it has been arranged. A contract has been drawn up. I am leaving my home to move in with Kamenwati and become his wife.
He is standing outside of his house, waiting for me. The last rays of the setting sun seem to make him glow. My heart leaps in my breast. " Kamenwati! " I cry and run towards him.
He sweeps me up in a fierce embrace. His shoulders are so broad, his waist so slim, his skin so firm. Desire stirs in me, something I have never felt before. I know I have made the right decision.
Then his mouth comes down on mine. He carries me inside, kissing me all the while. I am trembling with excitement as he places me gently onto his bed. For a long moment, he looks into my eyes, and in his I see my happiness, my future, my life.
He removes my dress with a tug, then slips out of his tunic. How
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