It hadn't rained yet, but the water-scented wind had begun to carry the smell of wet earth. Behind one of the small huts built from bamboo and dried banana leaves, Rani and Deny stood tensely before Lita.
"Lita, we have to talk. Now," Rani insisted, wrapping her arms around Lita and standing up straight.
Lita chewed slowly on the steamed taro piece in her hand, looking at them with raised eyebrows. "If you want to talk, another time. I'm eating."
"We didn't come for a lecture," Deny said, his tone more patient. "But this is important. About the taro."
Lita sighed and stood up, patting her dirty pants from the dirt. "Anyway, let's talk. What do you want?"
"We want to return all the taro we hid," Rani said quickly. "And we want to apologize to the others. We'll make a letter, signed by
