Ugh. I hate going to see Medusa. I do not hate Medusa. After all, she is my client. Maybe even my friend. But I need to wear this thick veil when I visit her so I do not accidentally see her and turn to stone. So I am going to see her because for some reason, she wants to update her will. And I am her lawyer, after all. She does not trust anybody but me.

I suppose she thinks we are kindred spirits. But she is wrong. She turns anybody who looks at her into stone. I just take men’s stones. Emasculate them by suing them for everything they have. Especially, when they are trying to take advantage of my clients. I like that metaphor. Taking men’s stones. Too funny. In fact, they often cover up their private parts when they see me walking into court. Maybe we are kindred spirits.

But my profession and the notion of taking men’s stones leaves me without a great social life. Especially since Medusa turned my husband into stone. Not that she meant to. He went with me when I first set up her will. And he raised his veil to take a peek. He did not think. Now, it’s just me and the kids. Which is why I need to go see Medusa. I have so few clients anymore. And she always pays me handsomely. This fee ought to take all my kids all the way through graduate school. I just wish I did not need to travel so far with this stupid veil on. It is hot under here. Ah finally. Medusa’s lair.

“Medusa? It’s me.”

“Come in dearie. And you know, you don’t need to scream every word.”

I do my best to tone it down. “Oh sorry. It gets to be habit with the six kids running around.”

“Well, that’s okay. I hope they’re all well.”

“Yes, Medusa. They’re all doing fine. Your last payment has kept us eating like kings and queens and will continue to do so for while longer.”

“Subtle.” Medusa laughs. “But no worries. I actually had your fee delivered to your home. Didn’t you get it?”

I think back. “Oh. The messenger this morning as I was leaving. He said he had a chest. I had the boys take it into the house after I signed for it. I told them not to touch anything until I get home.”

“Well, I hope they listened. I would hate for them to turn to stone.”

“You wouldn’t!”

Medusa laughs. “Of course not dearie. Just a little gorgon humor.”

“Not funny, Medusa. Not funny at all.”

“Sorry. I suppose having your husband in the courtyard of your beautiful villa is a lot different than having him beside you.”

“Yes.” I sigh. “But let’s get on with it, shall we?”

“Yes. Let’s get on with it.” Medusa clears her throat. “I want to leave everything to you.”

“What?” I gasp. “I… I… I don’t know… What brings this on?”

“Well, I am thinking that somebody is going to take my head as a trophy. Turn me to stone. I just keep having this dream. And it is so vivid.”

“Well, you can’t put too much stock in dreams, Medusa.”

“No.” I hear Medusa sigh. “But I keep hearing rumors, too. Or at least I keep hearing a name. Perseus. Perseus. It’s terrible.”

“I suppose so.” I pull some papers out of my valise. I peek beneath my veil making sure to only look at my paper. I write the will out in just a few moments. “Okay, Medusa. Sign here.” I set my pen down beside the paper and point to the line. Then, I close my eyes until she tells me she is finished.

“There. All signed.”

I open my eyes and look at her signature on the new will. I pull it toward me and put it and the pen into my valise. I realize that I have been holding my breath, so I release it.

“Anything else?”

It is Medusa’s turn to sigh. “No dearie. I think that’s it. Oh how I wish that I could give you a hug. But I fear that my hair would bite you. And I do not want that.”

“Nor do I.” I stand. “But your thanks is enough. And your fee, of course.” I try to lighten the mood with a little treasure humor.

Medusa laughs, but it seems forced. “Well, if this Perseus has his way, my stuff will be added to the more than enough fee.”

I force a laugh too. “Thank you Medusa. I hope that this Perseus never finds you. You have always been a good client.”

“I have always thought of you as my friend.”

I nod in agreement. I turn to leave with a tear in my eye. I hear Medusa cry. I do not know if it is because I must leave or because she really fears for her life. Or if she is crying for her friend, like I am.

I am about halfway home in the process of removing my heavy veil when I hear a mournful sound. Like the death knell of some wild animal. Then, I hear a cry of triumph. I wonder at the sounds before I continue my walk home.

When I get to the village closest to our villa, a madman is riding through the street. His steed rears up when the man gives his triumphant shout. I recognize the sound. It is the same cry of triumph I heard on my way home.

I look in horror as I see and hear the man. “I, Perseus have done it! I killed the gorgon, Medusa!” He has in his raised hand her head, which has turned to stone.

I cry for my client. My friend. Though she was a terrible creature, I cry for Medusa.