The room was silent for another half-minute.
“Come here, boy,” Carmen said, her voice quavery, pointing at the floor by her feet. I knelt. She bent to kiss my cheek, then moved so her leg was against me. She looked up at the other women. “Opinions?”
“Show me,” Janie said.
Carmen sighed. “Drew, I’m going to teach you something important. Commit it to memory because until we decide otherwise, I or one of my ... sisters might require it at any time. It’s called ‘Kneel proper.’ When any of us, or anyone else we designate, asks you to kneel proper, you will do so immediately.” She hesitated. “Usually we would require that no matter where you are, but for you, at least for now, none of us will ask that except in private.”
She leaned down and whispered into my ear. “I know this seems strange
