Chapter 15: Balance
After I produce ten mostly-even lengths of cord, Susan shows me how to unwork and rework the ruined ones, still without speaking.
I get faster, less clumsy. The old pile shrinks, a new one forming on the other side of me, until there are none left to fix.
“Congratulations,” Cadence says. “You can now keep up with the toddlers.”
“I seem to remember it taking you more than a day to master these . . .” Susan raises her eyebrows.
“I was two, gran.”
I shove my chair back and head for the door. I don’t have time for this.
“It’s dark out,” says Susan. “And you missed dinner.”
“Not hungry.”
I slam the door, though it’s not Susan I’m angry with and she doesn’t deserve me mistreating her home.
The night is still, but for a late-evening breeze stirring the garden. Good.
