Of Dragons, Draaks, and Fathers The girl surrounded herself with bright colors.

Vivid blues, bold reds, brilliant yellows, and greens that seemed to glow with life. Pillows were not matched with comforters, rugs clashed with drapes, and the oor could never be quite free of dirt, brought in by owers unceremoniously uprooted from their homes. The cacophony of color made good Mrs. Bowler wince every time she entered, but she could not persuade Mr. Grifths to do anything about it. Let the child be, Mrs. Bowler. It is her room. Though Mrs. Bowler contended it was not the girls room, it was part of his house and he had an obligation to maintain its condition, he would not budge. She found this extremely vexing, considering all the sacrices that she had already made. What other woman in Britain would tolerate an aboriginal in her guest bedroom and a monster in her garden shed? She contemplated giving him her notice many times, but she had worked in the Grifths household since the master was a lad of eight. She did not uproot easily. Straightening the window seat pillows soothed her rufed spirits, and she moved to the bed to shake the child awake. Miss Amelia. It is time for breakfast. Her hand reached out, but it found only pillows and blankets. Miss Amelia! Young Miss Amelia was not in her bed, nor had she been for several hours. The moment the sun peeked over the horizon, she grabbed her favorite blankets and shimmied out the window and down the pillar, quietly making her way to the garden. She liked this time of day the best, when even the servants were still asleep and it seemed as though she had the entire world to herself. Despite the frigid weather and the rigidly segmented owers, she could close her eyes and pretend that the so-called rescue ship had never come and that she was home. It was her favorite game of make believe. But it only worked when she was alone. And this morning, there was an invader in her imaginary paradise. A girl her own age, all gangly limbs and freckles. The cut of her clothing indicated that she was one of the servants daughters; it was too sensible for the masters. The intruder sat on Amelias favorite branch and grinned 5/15/2012 1 Katie Nolan

Of Dragons, Draaks, and Fathers down at her. Amelia only glared. Thats my spot, she said, doing her best imitation of Mrs. Bowler. All the servants had to obey Mrs. Bowler, but this little urchin seemed unimpressed. Dont got your name on it, she said. Its still mine, Amelia insisted. Now get down this instant! The girl scrambled down with a monkeys grace, and Amelia felt a surge of triumph that was short-lived. True, the girl had left her tree branch, but she showed no sign of leaving Amelia. Names Bertie, she said, holding out a hand. Youre the dragon girl. Amelia looked at the hand, then back at Bertie, confused. She nally settled on the most important question. Whats a dragon? Bertie grabbed her hand and shook it. Youre sposed to shake someones hand when you meet them, she said. Thats what they call manners. Amelia didnt really care about manners. Whats a dragon? she asked again. That thing in the garden shed, Bertie explained. Hassan isnt a dragon, Amelia said. What is he then? Hes a draak. Whats a draak? This taxed Amelias patience and knowledge of biology. Hassan is! she snapped. If Bertie noticed her irritation, she showed no signs of caring. Is he your pet? No. Hes my father! Bertie laughed. A dragon cant be your da! Hes not a dragon and hes not my da! Amelia said, not sure what Bertie was saying but fairly certain that she didnt like it. Hes a draak and hes my father. 5/15/2012 2 Katie Nolan

Of Dragons, Draaks, and Fathers But youre people, Bertie said. So? Then your fathers got to be people too. Why? It was Berties turn to be frustrated. Because! Because isnt an answer, its a conjunction, Amelia said primly. She had heard Mrs. Bowler say that many times to the younger servants and thought it would be a good way to put Bertie in her place. Is Mr. Grifths your father? Bertie asked, ignoring the brilliant retort. It took Amelia a moment to remember thats what everyone else called Eli. Yes, she said, and Bertie crowed with triumph. Thats it then! Hes my second father, Amelia told her. Hassan is my rst. You cant have two fathers, Bertie said. Why not? Bertie opened her mouth to say because, but stopped herself. Amelia smirked, and Bertie narrowed her eyes. So whats the dark guy? Daddy number three? Hes my tata, Amelia answered. Bertie shook her head. Mental you are, she said. Whos got two dads, a tata, and no mum? Whats a mum? Amelia asked. Bertie gave her a deeply sympathetic look and patted her shoulder, which only bafed her more. Ma says the dragon eats babies, she said. Is that true? Amelia stomped her foot. Hes not a dragon! I never said he was! Bertie said. Thats what Ma calls him! So does he? Sometimes, Amelia said honestly. Bertie screeched and covered her hands with her mouth, and Amelia wondered what she had said. 5/15/2012 3 Katie Nolan

Of Dragons, Draaks, and Fathers Amelia! The little girl sighed as she heard her tata call. She had missed her window of opportunity. She gave Bertie a resentful glare, but that little scamp was already off and running towards the house. Jase, her tata, lifted Amelia up into his arms. She snuggled up against him, though she hated the stiff, coarse fabric of his shirt. Thought youd be here. Mrs. Bowlers convinced Hassan ate you. Amelia snorted derisively, and Jase chuckled. Time to eat, he said. Im not hungry, Amelia said. I want to see Hassan! At least part of that statement was a lie, and the rumbling of her stomach revealed it. Jase had the good grace not to laugh at her embarrassment. How bout this, he said. Come eat your breakfast, and then all four of usll go for a walk in the woods. Hassan too? Amelia asked eagerly. The draak terried most of the servants, and Mrs. Bowler was determined that no one should know her masters shameful secret, so Hassan was forced to spend most of his time hiding in the garden shed. All of us, Jase said. The neighbors are off in London. Nobody around to stumble into us. Itll be fun. But not Mrs. Bowler, Amelia claried. It was very important that Mrs. Bowler not come. She could take the fun out of anything. Just us, Jase reassured her. Itll be just like being home again. Amelia noticed the slip. Jase and Eli had both taken to calling England home, as if by calling it home they could make it a home, but Hassan and Amelia knew better. England was a place theyd endure until Eli changed his mind. Someday they would get on a ship and leave the cold, dreary island behind them forever. But until then, a walk in the woods would do.

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Katie Nolan