Journal-#1(Want)

“Are you reading more of that junk?” Barbra’s father said as he gazed at her book.

“It’s not junk.” She whispered.

“What’s that?” He asked, standing up from his chair. He stepped towards her looking down at her like she was tiny crabgrass in his lawn. “I would like a little more respect from my daughter.”

Barbra hugged her paperback to her chest, as if it could sink into her chest and shield her heart. “It’s about Cleopatra.”

“Who?” He asked his face filled with genuine confusion.

“I think she was a whore,” added Barbra’s mother who was staring sedately out the window.

“I don’t like the sound of that,” her father said.

Barbra gulped. “She wasn’t. She was smart. She lived in Egypt.”

Her father snorted. “Egypt. What’s so smart about Egypt? They worshiped cats!”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” whispered Barbra.

“What?” He asked.

“You don’t,” her voice was getting louder; “you don’t know anything! Egypt is beautiful, Cleopatra was beautiful.” Her voice was back to a whisper. “Neil was beautiful.”

“Not this again,” He mother slammed her coffee cup on the window sill.

“It’s true.” Barbra stamped her foot. “I’m going to go to Egypt someday and if I come back and worship cats then you’ll have to deal with that! If I want to worship cats, I will.” She let her hands fall to her sides, her book no longer protecting her chest. “I’m going to my room.” She ran up the stairs before another word could be said.