Persephone, I Know You're There

I heard Zeus’s voice.

“Persephone, I know you’re there.”

“Come out. I need to show you the new palaces we’re building on Mount Olympus.”

I was relieved. Zeus was not going to demand to come inside.

“I knew you’d be alone. I wanted to be with you. Hera has left me.”

Zeus stared at me. His glances penetrated me in places that even I couldn’t imagine. I wanted to create some distance between him and me.

“You know, Zeus, I’ve never known what to call you. You’re my uncle and my father—and now, since I’m married to your brother Hades, you’re even my brother-in-law.”