2 views
What's In A Name
It was the fall of the last great house, the name of Tzai. They had thrived for generations and been bankers, doctors, politicians and at rare times nobles. It was a name that had always thrived, always accomplished and always succeeded; but not now. Now they were at an impasse. Their family line died with their son and daughter. A son who was gay, and a daughter who was barren. The old couple felt a mixture of emotions, from anger, pity, pain and most of all, shame.
"You have both let us down." They had called a family intervention, this thing was telling on the old man's health and the stress of that was affecting the old woman too. The old man shifted uneasily in his wicker chair. It was the one remnant of his old life. He had built his new since leaving home at fifteen, and created quite an empire. He ruled it with an iron fist and little in the way of leniency.
"All you had to do was provide me an heir. Our family name would go from strength to strength, but now it will die and wither."
The mother had tears in her eyes as she looked across the very grand shiny best quality marble table in their expensively furnished mansion.
"We gave you the best of everything and this was all we asked in return." She was so sad to be having this conversation and her husband patted her hand reassuringly.
The son was a very handsome man. His temper was quick to flare because so many times in his life he'd had to learn to defend himself. Now he spoke freely.
"We meant no disrespect, but we could not do what you asked." His eyes were locked onto his father in defiance. Cool blue met solemn brown.
"But regardless," replied his father coldly, "you both have failed us and your ancestors. You failed to give us a Tzai to continue our bloodline. Even a daughter would have sufficed, but you will not even do that."
It was their petite pretty daughter who then could not refrain from speaking.
"But I did all the tests and cannot have children. I went through painful IVF for you, and it took its toll both mentally and physically."
"We know," said her mother quickly, "and we saw and appreciated what...
"You have both let us down." They had called a family intervention, this thing was telling on the old man's health and the stress of that was affecting the old woman too. The old man shifted uneasily in his wicker chair. It was the one remnant of his old life. He had built his new since leaving home at fifteen, and created quite an empire. He ruled it with an iron fist and little in the way of leniency.
"All you had to do was provide me an heir. Our family name would go from strength to strength, but now it will die and wither."
The mother had tears in her eyes as she looked across the very grand shiny best quality marble table in their expensively furnished mansion.
"We gave you the best of everything and this was all we asked in return." She was so sad to be having this conversation and her husband patted her hand reassuringly.
The son was a very handsome man. His temper was quick to flare because so many times in his life he'd had to learn to defend himself. Now he spoke freely.
"We meant no disrespect, but we could not do what you asked." His eyes were locked onto his father in defiance. Cool blue met solemn brown.
"But regardless," replied his father coldly, "you both have failed us and your ancestors. You failed to give us a Tzai to continue our bloodline. Even a daughter would have sufficed, but you will not even do that."
It was their petite pretty daughter who then could not refrain from speaking.
"But I did all the tests and cannot have children. I went through painful IVF for you, and it took its toll both mentally and physically."
"We know," said her mother quickly, "and we saw and appreciated what...
