Check on Leon

"I'll be right back," Vicky said as she rose from her chair.

Leon had just finished dismissing the latest supplicant and eyed Vicky ruefully.

"Come to talk me out of it, have you?" he asked, gesturing at the empty chair beside him.

"Just wanted to know that you're sure about this," Vicky said, taking the seat.

"As sure as I'll ever be. There's not much to life once you get as far as I have, and dying by inches doesn't sound very appealing, so I figure I'll die the way I lived: Give them a show, take a bow, then step back gracefully as the curtain falls. I've lived a very good life, time to move on to the next one."

Vicky saw a smile play across his face and gave him one of her own. "Do you need anything from me?"

Leon chuckled, patting her companionably on the knee. "I will, but not yet. Your handsome young man has your dinner ready - don't keep him waiting."

Vicky rose, giving her grandfather a kiss on the cheek before heading back to her table.