It took a few days before the couple felt comfortable telling the town’s inhabitants that they wouldn’t be aging. Most were shocked. They didn’t believe it at first and needed some explaining before they could accept it. There were murmurs about “drinking to that” and lots of gossip. Eventually, though, the group as a whole seemed happy.
After the questions were answered and most of the people dispersed, Dakota approached Chumani with a solemn face. “I’m sorry we couldn’t extend it to you and the others,” he said in a quiet voice. He thought every adult in their little commune deserved eternal life—or at least unnaturally long life—and he regretted that he could only offer it to Terrell.
But she waved her hand and shook her head. “My baby must grow up,” she insisted. “I would not have yo
