Let Them Have Cake by Kathy Pratt

your children.”
                  “I’m fine. Please don’t worry.”
    “The rain has almost stopped. I think you can safely get back to the house now.”
                  The little farmer bustled off to tend to his chores. Anna rose from her seat and walked over to the cow.
                  “Bye, Bessie-Daisy. Thanks for listening. I don’t have anyone else here I can talk to. We’ll do this again, soon.” Anna stroked the cow’s soft neck and left the barn.
                  She picked her way carefully around the mud puddles and raised her skirts high as she walked.
    Jacques Rouleau approached Anna from the general direction of the farmhouse. He gazed blatantly at her exposed ankles but turned quickly away when he saw Anna blushing.
    “Madame. We are all gathered in the home. The Queen has asked that we entertain her today. She is in need of some activities to take her mind off of the peasants. She would like you to arrange the little figures in her hair again. I am going to paint a portrait of her here in the home she loves to be in.” 
    “Are there new incidents of unrest reported?” Anna asked.
    “No Madame, nothing new has been reported.” He took her basket of eggs and quickened his step.
                  The farmhouse was a hive of activity. Women hovered around the Queen, powdering her hair and face, straightening her skirts, and positioning pillows for her comfort.
                  “Madame. Please. I must ask you something before we go about our duties.” Jacques said.
                  “What is it, Monsieur Roleau?” Anna asked.
                  “This is very difficult for me.”
                  “Yes, please go on.”
                  “I’ve been thinking about how much you used to enjoy horseback riding. I’ve recently begun to ride more frequently and wanted to ask if you would like to go riding with me tomorrow?” Jacques turned his gaze towards the barn before continuing. Geoffroi was just returning on his beautiful chestnut horse from a day of hunting in the countryside.
                  “I’m only asking because I know you don’t like hunting so you don’t go out with Monsieur Andrieux,” Jacques continued.
                  An awkward silence followed. She didn’t know how Geoffroi would react to her going riding with Jacques. Still, she didn’t want to hurt Jacques’ feelings, either.
                  “Yes, Monsieur Roleau. I would be delighted to go riding with you tomorrow,” Anna answered.
                  Jacques Roleau turned a bright crimson and hurried off to gather his painting supplies.
                  Anna entered the large general room. Queen Marie Antoinette was seated in her usual place of honor, surrounded by her ladies.
                  “Anne-Marie. Please. Come place the little figures in my hair. I danced so much last night that they all moved around.” The Queen gestured towards the stool next to her chair, indicating that Anna should sit there.
                  Anna began arranging the little figures back into the scene she had done for the dance. She could picture Carol and Denice doubled over with laughter at this whole scene.
    Anna thought about her nurse friends at home in California , miles and years away. For a brief moment she thought she might cry at the thought of never going back to her life.
                  “What is it Anne-Marie? Are you thinking about your children? Or perhaps your husband, though I know he’s been gone for some time.” Queen Marie Antoinette held Anna’s hand. Empathy shone from her eyes.
                  “Yes, it is my children. I am missing them already and I’ve only been away a few days. I’ll be all right in a moment. I know it is for the best,” Anna replied and wiped her eyes with the