Thirty-Four
As soon as Henna told them the news, the outzoners wanted to celebrate. More food than Grace had seen during her entire stay was cooked and put out to share on long wooden tables in the center of a field. Several huge bonfires were built in the clearing, and everyone gathered around them, chattering, drinking, laughing. Children ran in feverish circles, chasing one another, overcome with the excitement of something new. As she wandered among the crowd, Grace collected their hopes and fears.
Not one more hard winter.
I’ll get my tooth fixed first.
I can’t wait to meet someone new.
A grocery store, can you imagine?
Restaurants. A real school.
I’ll finally stop worrying about the kids.
I can’t wait to be dry.
The last of which Grace particularly sympathized with. The cons
