"My immortality is trying to heal me ... but it is trapped ... hindered by the ring."His kind eyes met mine as I sat there too frozen to move.He smile... lightly. "Just imagine I have the rot in my finger, Maria. The affected limb must be cut off, so the rest of the body may be saved. Be brave."I nodded once.With steadier hands, I took him by the wrist and set his hand palm up upon the grassy ground."Curl all your fingers but the ring finger, Jon," I whispered, trying to be soothing.He complied,. Rema aunty was over 50 and was dark and skinny but she had a heart of gold and was like a mother to me.Her daughter Sheela or Sheela chechi(elder sister) was kind of like my big sister and best friend growing up.She was about 6 years older than me.We used to play together, dance together, she even used to bathe me.She was like an elder sister to me.My parents decided to move to pune and wanted to take me along with them , I opposed but who listens to a kid whose just 9 years old.I wept a lot. And then I led them to a 6-0 shutout of Morgan High School. It did help that Cary pitched a five-hitter. I could have pitched, but Coach wanted me available on Thursday for the rematch against McKay. But I did my part with a homer and two RBIs.Probably the most important thing in the game happened in the sixth inning. They had a guy on first with two outs, and the next guy up lined a sharp single into right. I scooped it up, reared back, and unleashed a rocket toward Mattie at third base.. Me – There should be a way, father. Let me think about it.I knew that there were not many choices left. I had already decided I will not let him go into those woods. I have seen a lot of deaths in the village from the wild beasts roaming around there. I didn’t want to lose him to them.The thought that I can get tested crossed my mind. But I was shocked to hear that word from him a few minutes ago. I wondered how I would let him touch it and see it. But the risk in his trip made me think about.