Page 13 of Ra
“Because the dark woods, books, antiques, and tiled floors were part of my father’s choices. He built this house, all three floors of it, and filled it with things he loved from ancient Egypt. Most of what you see throughout the rest of the house is a partial collection of his life’s work. While I share his passion for Egypt and her history, I prefer my own home to be light, minimal, white. So I’ve changed things that can easily be changed without having to permanently alter his house, or remove his collections.”
“Is your father expected to return?”
Azi looked at Ra for a few moments before answering and he immediately sensed her pain and her fear. “It would be alright if he did, but I’m not expecting it.” She shrugged and leaned over to dig in the fridge again, this time coming out with several covered containers of food. “Dig through these and see what looks good to you.”
“Good in what way?”
“To eat. They’re all my leftovers from the week. Sorry, I don’t cook.”
“All females can cook.”
“I didn’t say I can’t. I said I don’t. If you’re hungry, this is what your choices are.”
“I do not think I’ll be eating.”
Azi closed the fridge and looked at him quizzically.
“Why do you look at me with that expression?”
“I’m trying to figure out why you clearly said you wanted to live again, but you really were planning to die of hunger. Makes no sense.”
“I am not planning to die. I do not die! I am an immortal god!”
“You were an immortal god. You have been reborn into a human body. If you do not eat, you will die.”
“If I do not, I will not be required to expel waste from my body. It is a filthy thing to have to tend to!” he said with disgust.
“Your stomach still hurts, doesn’t it? You still haven’t peed.”
“I will not.”
“Then you won’t have to worry about eating, because your bladder will explode and you’ll die then.”
“That is not true.”
“Sure it is, but that’s fine. You do you.” Azi walked past him, munching on her apple, and he followed, unsure of what to do with himself next.
“When one leaves my presence, they must ask for permission and bow to me as they go.”
Azi burst into laughter. “Oh, you have to stop saying things like that. I’m too tired to be laughing that hard at the end of a very, very long day.”
“It was not meant to be humorous. I am teaching you etiquette when in the presence of a god.”
“I think that maybe you should be trying to learn about the body you are in, and the world you are in, instead of trying to bend the rest of the world to your liking. No one worships the ancient Egyptian gods anymore. Not even the Egyptians.”
“We are not forgotten,” he said, his voice quiet.
“No, you’re not. And many believe that at one time you were real, but it’s been a very long time since anyone believed you are still real. Maybe try to stop standing on circumstance and just enjoy living in the moment without everyone paying homage to you. I think you could have fun. It might be freeing to not have to hold firmly to so much duty.”
He stood puzzling over her statement as she started up the stairs. “I think perhaps you have misunderstood. I am not a king. I am a god. Others do things for me. Kings carryout the duties I mandate. I simply think it and it is done.”
Azi disappeared into a small room, closing the door to keep him out, just as he would have entered. “You see, that is your problem. You can’t do that anymore. Try to understand that, and life will be much easier.”
He groaned.
She opened the door and looked curiously at him. “Gotta pee?”
“It has become very, very painful.”
