It was a minute before they both realized that they were staring at one another. Both blushed, though Janice’s was more pronounced, and turned away....reaking the uncomfortable silence, Kumak asked, “Do you need time to unpack before we talk about the upcoming school year?”“Yes, that would be nice.”“I’ll be back then in about, 2 hours?”“That should be fine. Two hours.”There was a hesitation as they found themselves looking at one another again. It was definite this time, Kumak was staring at her. .. what they’ve been through.” She looked back at Valani and choked, “I’ve wronged you too. Your mother, your sisters...”“Were all horrible to me,” Valani said with a forgiving smile. “We’ve been over this before, Edraele. There’s no need to punish yourself, I don’t feel any antipathy towards you for what happened. The last couple of months have been the happiest of my life.”Opening her arms for a hug, Edraele wrapped the younger woman in a loving embrace. She whispered in her ear, “You’re so. It was excellent, as always.“Tea, Master?”“Yes, please, Sally.”I went to the lounge and waited for Sally to bring the tray of tea. Although she was doing everything in the same way she always did, I could tell there was something on her mind. She knelt next to the coffee-table, close enough for me to touch her; she knew I loved to stroke her hair, or her shoulder, and she would lean against my leg and, often, lay her head on my thigh. We sipped at our Darjeeling tea, silent together.At length,. That's what they called her in that old boarding school she was stuck in until she just got fed up and took off. The Easter money Daddy sent bought a ticket to California with plenty to spare. Maybe she shouldn't have gotten off the train, but the little girl at the station stared at her candy bar so longingly and she didn't see the harm in giving it to her. So the train left without her and she had to wait for the next one. And she got thirsty.So she'll spend ten days in jail. It'll be good.