UnPrin2004

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"The Uncultured Princess"
Chapter One:
We meet Juno Hsiung and his girlfriend of two years, Katherine Alejo. Trouble is in the air and Juno must make a decision. Kathrine is there, as always, offering her support. Juno flashes on a memory of his grandfather.

    "Which path, Grandpa?" Juno said curiously.
     "It's yours to choose, little one," was the earnest reply.
     "But how do I know which is the right path?" Juno asked sincerely, his deep brown eyes pondering his grandfather's reply.
     "It does not matter wholly which path you take, so much as it matters your commitment to the path."
     "I see. Well,..." he trailed. Juno Hsiung's eight-year old mind was working overtime. He loved spending these slow afternoons with his grandfather. Grandfather always made him think and Juno couldn't get enough of a challenge. "It's my choice," he finally managed.
     "Yes," his grandfather replied. "And choice is where it all begins."
     "I understand now, Grandfather," Juno stated, convinced.
     "In time," his grandfather began slowly, "you will face many choices. Some will be easy; some will be more challenging, but they will each have something in common. Each one will be yours to make, and they will all have their unique consequences. When you have understood those consequences, then you will understand your decisions."

    ...
     The words of his grandfather echoed truth in his heart. Juno had to choose. His grandfather was no longer around, having died nearly two years ago at the age of one hundred and eight. Today would have been his grandfather's one hundred and tenth birthday. Juno felt the love for his grandfather well up in his throat and threaten to spill out over the grave. He stood, brushing the loose grass from his knees.
     "You are missed, Grandfather," he said simply.
     Juno turned to head back to his car when he noticed that he was no longer alone here in the cemetary. Katherine stood next to his car playing with a ring on her finger. He hadn't wanted to do this here, but his grandfather's words were providing some motivation and comfort for him. He stode the distance between him and her, his eyes focused on her the entire trip.
     "How did you know I'd be here?" He asked, surprised at his suddenly stern tone. Before she answered his question, he realized that he already knew what she was going to say.
     "You always come here when you feel lost," she pointed out unnecessarily.
     "Yes, I suppose that I do. But, I suppose that what I was really..."
     She cut him off quickly, a stern tone in her voice as well.
     "That what you were really asking was what am I doing here. Am I wrong?"
     His throat tightened at the pleading sound of the words at the end of her question. He paused and thought a moment before answering her. That only served to heighten his guilt, for her eyes grew softer and more pleading the longer he waited to respond.
     "No," he began softly. "You are not."
     Kathering Alejo was a very shrewd woman. It was probably the single-most attractive trait that Juno saw in her. Sure, her physical beauty was unquestionable: slender frame, long, dark hair, soft, brown eyes, and smooth butterscotch skin. She was definitely someone who could turn heads. When they were together, people always stared. Juno knew that they found her attractive, but he also knew that they were wondering what he was doing with her.
     "What's a beautiful girl like that see in a little China-man?" He'd heard someone say once. He knew the answer to that question, too. For two years he'd been asking himself that question. Until recently, he hadn't known the answer.
     "I had something that I needed to say to you," she began. "I knew that you'd be here and I knew that your mind would be clear and resonable once you spoke to your grandfather. I know how much you loved him and trusted his advice."
     "I know, and I'm sorry to make it sound that way. Please, you were saying..."
     "I know you want to go," she said simply. The words caught him by surprise. "And I think that you should."

"1"

Looking for the continuation? Well, I'm afraid that you won't be able to find it here. It will be available as soon as it is released to the general public. I do hope that you enjoyed this little excerpt. You can hope to find the book itself, along with other works by the professor, at the next Los Angeles County Festival of Books. See ya then!!