She cried out her sister's name as if cursing a demon out to possess her soul.She moaned and collapsed to the floor unconscious. The pounding steps of...my father beat a staccato rhythm on the stairs. Maggie didn't panic, but leaped out of bed, grabbed a robe and knelt by her prostrate sister.My father roared, "What's happened to her?" He quickly scanned the room for danger as his body shielded his most important possession from more harm. When he saw me naked in my sister's bed and Maggie's. In time, as I came to trust him, and like all of the other girls that came before me, I learned to love that old man and looked out for him. After two months he told me it was time for my picture to be taken, and when I protested that I had nothing to wear, he opened a closet that was filled with clothes of all sizes and styles! I selected a pink suit with an antique white blouse to wear. The skirt was so short that I was a little worried, but as he posed me and took the pictures, I realized. ? Irony and growing anger –as well as the endearment I knew she disliked, though it was one she used herself- either lost to her or of nil importance.?It was Sunil they followed not you,? she replied, unconcerned, it seemed, by either sarcasm or acidity.?Now he was a real man,? she mused, smiling to herself. ?A strong man.?Her eyes appraised me with undisguised contempt.?The same way,? she added, ?as Sreelatha is a strong and warm woman – even if she is young.??Sreelatha?? I repeated, the name,. The day was gorgeous, warm for the mountain summer, and they both shed the light jackets they were wearing. The walk to the lower falls was gentle, easy, and the pictures they each got there were good. Each pleased with the results, they set off for the upper falls, and the walk became a bit more taxing, so they took their time, pausing to rest, and drink water, and nibble on homemade trail mix. The air was warm, but had the fresh scent of pine, moss, and something that can't be described. .