Chapter 56

“Yet you are not a win-tayin other matters. You cook the meals and tend the household chores, but someone must do this even among the bachelors. You are a man, Teacher, in all that counts. This is a sick old man’s way of saying he is proud you care for his son as you do. But I am fearful of what will happen when a woman is introduced between you.”

“As am I.”

His hearing was still with him, and the words reached his ears. “Teacher, in the seasons you have been with us, I have never asked anything personal of you. All of my demands were for thetiospaye. And ultimately, what I seek now is for them too. But it is also personal because it arises from concern for my son.” His dark eyes found my own and held them. “I know what is in your mind, Billy.” He used my given name to personalize his request. “You will tear apart the relationship rather than share him. Do not do that, my son. I beg of you. Share him, at least for a while. He will need you for what is coming.”