Chapter Seventy-Three: Departure:

Madonna left me in 1959. I got the message from Heaven. I already knew what they were here for. I didn’t even try to fight it. There came a knock on my door.

“Enter,” I said. I stood up as the door opened. Two men in white robes walked inside.

“Hello,” I said. They didn’t speak. I saw the cold looks on their faces. I already knew what this was about.

“You’re here for my wife?” I asked. They didn’t speak. Damn I was dealing with a tough crowd. I put my hands on my hips.

“You can come and get her,” I said. “I don’t know where she is, though.” One of them raised their eyebrow.

“I’m not lying,” I said. “They’ve kept me away from her.” The angels didn’t speak. I sighed and lowered my arms. Fine, they were going to have to make me work for it. I reached out and pressed the button for the intercom.

“Judith! The angels are here! Show them to Miss Madonna’s room,” I said.

“Yes sir,” she said on the other line. I took my finger off the button. I held my hands to them.

“There, see?” I said. “She’s probably fine. We didn’t keep her in a dungeon.” Those angels never said a word. I nervously laughed. I couldn’t wait for them to leave.

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The angels took Madonna away without a word. There was no resistance. They just came and got her. No question. It was over. I don’t know how I felt about it. I guess she could get the help that she needed now.

Judith told me everything that transpired.

“They just came in and picked her up,” she said. “No one stopped them.”

“No one stopped them?” I asked.

“No,” she said.

“Wow,” was all I said. I looked up at her.

“Now what?” I asked.

“We split up the children,” Judith said. I sat up with big eyes.

“What?!” I asked.

“You already knew this was coming,” she said.

“But…” I said. Judith put up her hand.

“We talked about this,” she said. “It’s already been decided.” I sat blinking.

“Who’s going where?” I asked.

“You will be the older boys and she will get your daughters and Nicky,” Judith said. I stared at her with big eyes.

“N-N-Nicky’s leaving?” I asked.

“I’m so sorry,” she said. Her words felt like a kick to the stomach. She was probably right, but it still hurt. I buried my head in my hands. It was out of my hands now. Judith was the one calling the shots.

Wait… it shouldn’t be like that. I’m the king here. Everything I say goes. Yeah, that’s it! I sat up straight in my chair.

“I will have Nicky stay with me,” I said. Judith stared at me.

“Excuse me?” she asked.

“I am the king here!” I said. “I want my sons here with me! All of them! My daughters have to visit me half a year. Got it?” Judith blinked at me. I glared at her.

“Got it?” I asked. She bowed her head.

“Yes sir,” she said. I took a breath out.

“Thank you,” I said. This was a good start. I was going to work to get my power back in this kingdom. From there, not much happened. Madonna and my daughters went back to Heaven. Our sons stayed with me. I don’t have much to say about that chapter of my life.