<strong>Desdemona Pratz greeting her uncle</strong><br/><br/>Desdemona gave her uncle a warm smile as he addressed her after the conclusion of the service. She embraced the old man and gave him a kiss on either cheek.<strong>“Nice to see you again uncle Henry, we missed you at brunch yesterday.”</strong>Eniz Pratz’ Saturday brunches were famous amongst the New Harrisville elite. Only those with a certain standing amongst the community were invited, and the leading citizens of the small community all desired for a place at mrs. Pratz table. Her uncle would come whenever his responsibilities as mayor allowed it. But the rest of the town’s self-appointed first citizens were in attendance every week, barring some unforeseen family obligation.<br/><br/>Her uncle’s cologne still lingered in her nostrils as she detached herself out of their embrace. It was a smell she knew well and not just from his visits to her home. The scent had sometimes lingered in the Gulch long after Big Daddy had departed. It always made her both nervous and excited when her uncle was in attendance. There was something exhilarating about the possibility of being discovered by him at the Gulch, even though it would likely have serious consequences for all involved.<br/><br/>Robert Pratz was now pumping his brother’s arm and apologizing for his lateness. Even though her father had become very successful on his own merits, he still treated his older brother with due respect. The Pratz clan was known and respected throughout the entire county, and that was largely due to Henry’s hard work and determination. He was also the family’s de facto figurehead.<br/><br/>Eniz Pratz was exchanging pleasantries with her brother-in-law’s wife. There was little love lost between the two women. Henry Pratz’ wife had been old money and the daughter of another local and powerful family. Yet she was very resentful of the more attractive and glamorous Eniz Pratz, being a more modest-looking woman herself. Eniz for her part had never forgiven the fact that mrs. Pratz reminded her of her more modest background at every opportunity. Yet in front of the spying eyes of the congregation, they acted like best friends. It was one of the many things about her family that irked Desdemona to no end.<br/>