Chapter 4

I had been to the Ocmulgee Indian Mounds years ago on a high school field trip. It was wonderful then and I greatly enjoyed walking first through the museum and then through the park. We climbed through the walkways to the top of the main mound and everywhere else there were walkways we could follow. The scenes were beautiful and I even learned things I hadn’t known before or had forgotten. Prince Asshole was an interested participant in what we did. I was surprised and he seemed to be a bit subdued.

It was time to eat when we got back into the limo. Mason looked at me and asked, “Is there any place for lunch?”

“I’m sure there are but I don’t know them. However, there is an S & S cafeteria just off the Interstate that was always good. It’s just a bit north. If it’s there, we can eat there. If not, there will be places on Riverside Drive.” Mason and Anna nodded. I gave directions to the driver who found it easily. We pulled in. She had a sack lunch and wanted to stay with the car. The four of us went inside.

I said, “You can have anything you want and will fit on your tray. Once we go through the line, Mason will pay for our food. You do have to think ahead since the food groups are together and they expect customers to move quickly. Look at the main entrees, pick what you will want and what you want to go with it. What you pick is up to you. I’ve always personally liked the trout almondine so I pick things to go with that entree.

Mason said, “I like their meatloaf or Salisbury steak so pick items to go with that. My choices will be different.”

We went through the line and he picked the same things that I did. I was a bit surprised. He even picked unsweetened tea! We sat at a table for four as I showed Anna and him what to do. A server picked up our trays and he even thanked her. We sat down and I gave a quick prayer for our meals. I raised my head and asked, “Okay. What’s going on?”

Prince Asshole responded, “What do you mean?”

“You’ve been human all morning including being polite to us lower orders. I don’t believe you’ve learned much in twelve hours and slept. So, what’s going on?”

Mason and Anna were involved with each other though Prince Asshole gave a quick glance to make sure they weren’t paying attention. He answered me, “Your attitude toward me made me think about how you interacted with me. No one has ever said some of the things to me that you have said. It was hurtful but I also realized it was accurate. When we got to the Anderson’s house, I sat in my room thinking. It became unpleasant.” He grinned ruefully. “Also, my jaw hurt. I was impressed by the ease with which you handled that guy. I was glad I didn’t contemplate anything physical with you. I think you could bruise someone badly if you thought it necessary.”

I grinned. “I like knives, too.”

“Hopefully, you won’t have to use them on me.” He smiled faintly. “Like I said, no one has ever said some of the things you said to me the way you did. You also emboldened my sister to say some things that she had never said. Usually, people are afraid of repercussions when they talk to me. You aren’t or had decided that you were willing to take the risk.”

He looked very serious. “My father has threatened to remove me from the succession. I now have some idea why he has been so concerned.”

“We’ll see how you do. I won’t call you, Prince Asshole, any more in public.”

“Thank you.” He seemed to mean it. We finished our lunches and even talked to Mason and Anna a bit in the process.

Mason said, “We will have to be in Marietta for supper and then the Braves game. Dad got us tickets at the dugout level. We must ride up there but have a few hours. Jar, what do you suggest?”

“We can sightsee around here some more or go up to Marietta and not have to risk being trapped in traffic. There are some nice places around here and just north. The other option is to hightail it north now and avoid the coming traffic.”

Anna said, “If we go north, what would we do, Jar?”

“There’s things to see in Kennesaw and there are spots just a bit north off Interstate Seventy-five.”

The Prince said, “Everything is so spread out. Landers isn’t nearly this bad and the traffic is better controlled.”

I said, “That is a key difference between the European countries and the United States. We are spread out and prosperous enough to utilize vehicles regularly. Mason and I are used to it and just know to plan ahead.”

“It’s not right that all these people have so many cars.”

Mason asked, “Roger, what do you mean?”

He seemed on a roll. “The commoners all have too much and don’t utilize it well. They need to understand and make room for their betters.” We had finished our meals and left. We were now outside walking to the limo.

I said, “Prince Asshole, that was uncalled for and shows your standard badly skewed judgment. I’m glad I’m not living in Landers. My ancestors left Europe to get away from the congenital idiots in aristocracy.”

The Prince’s face turned red. He then compounded his bad judgment by trying to slap my face. His hand never reached me because I grabbed his wrist and put him on the ground. He didn’t quite bounce but did hit hard.

I was straddled over his lower back holding his arm twisted behind him. He was in pain.

He moaned, “Let me up.”

“You need to apologize for taking a swing at me, Asshole.”

“I don’t have to apologize for anything.”

“Your arm will break, then.”

“You wouldn’t!”

“Not only would but will. Are you ready to back off?”

“Ow! Yes! I apologize!”

I held his arm in place while I stood. I released him and stepped away. He slowly rolled to his back cradling his arm. “My arm hurts.”