Page 57 of Royal Pain
“I’m going to be spending this afternoon at the hospital. We’re meeting with the principals for the King Mansa Oncology Wing,” he says.
There’s only a half-smile and a nod as her answer.
“Want to join me, Mom? You should really be there.”
“No thank you. I’ve got some correspondence to attend to, son. You go without me this time.”
“Okay. Maybe I can move the meeting up, so I can get back here by four. Your grandchildren have been missing seeing their grandmother. Come for dinner tonight. You too, Zan. Six o’clock. I’m not taking no for an answer.”
The queen’s face shows her hesitation. But I’d guess she appreciates Tarik’s concern. Think it was the grandchildren though who convinced her to go.
“Alright. Six. No later.”
“That’s fine. I’ll make sure to be back.”
“I’ve been considering which journalist to give close access to. The coronation and passing of the monarchy needs to be recorded properly for history. There’s going to be different takes on the facts. We know how that works. I want someone who will see the whole picture accurately.”
“I think we need more than local reporters and even more than the journalists we know here. We need international coverage that is more than a few paragraphs,” I say.
“I agree. I think it would be a good idea to have Ms. Banks do it. She’s going to be here with us, and she’d have a clearer picture of what I’m about,” says Tarik. “But more importantly, she’s a great writer. You read the last piece she did on us.”
I just let my brother make the sale. He’s doing a good job of it.
“What’s your take on this, Zan?”
“I think it’s a good idea. If you give her the exclusive it would be even better. Let her tell our story, free of Kwai’s latest escapades. If we give it to anyone else it could turn into a fluff piece. Her writing is worthy of the weight of the subject.”
She weighs our words for a few beats. “Alright. If you both agree then let her know. Make sure whoever she wants to interview goes through you first, Tarik. It’s the king’s prerogative.”
It hits me.
This is the first time I’ve heard my mother refer to Tarik as king.
* * *
Two more days till Belinda’s here. Just forty-eight hours. I’m going crazy. The closer it gets the slower time moves. Taking a long walk around the grounds was a good idea. That’s killed a few hours already. I’ve been trying to find time to meet with the landscape architect. My mother’s plan to have a large garden and statue on site, honoring my father, will take at least a year to come to fruition. I’m glad she’s put me and Kwai in charge.
Speaking of, it’s time to test his promise to Tarik and I. Pulling out my cell, I dial Kwai’s number. He should be at the lake by now, having his third drink.
“Yeah?”
His sober voice surprises the hell out of me.
“You answered!”
“You’re such a dick. I told you I was here to do some thinking. Please leave me alone so I can do that.”
Nobody can make me laugh like this asshole. Even when I’m being insulted. But I love him.
“What did you call me for?” he says with impatience.
“I’m going to schedule our first meeting with the landscape architect. You able to do it Saturday morning?”
“Yeah, okay. Maybe. Text me the time when you find out.”
Is he kidding? Am I in an alternate universe? He’s taking this so easily. Normally he would have told me to do it myself or argued about scheduling a meeting in the morning. It’s always interfered with his hangovers.
“Are you seriously spending time alone there?”
