April 17, 2013

 In the capital, there were Guesthouses in the fashion of the Parishes, one hall for women, one hall for men, common bathing facilities, a common kitchen and eating room, lockboxes for possessions, children staying with either parent. There were also Guesthouses that mimicked transitory dosses of the alver nahiyə, with a room for a person or a group, some with private facilities. Mavi always chose a Parish style guesthouse, moving between the different quarters of the city. This year, they were in Yağıntı Quarter, an hour by tram from the landing field, huddled up to the Trade Quarter.

Mavi settled them in a corner of the tram, nodding his thanks to the people who shuffled and made room for them and their luggage. He took Letty into his lap and let Vinca take Onnie into her lap. Both children were asleep before the tram reached the second stop. Mavi put his arm around Vinca and rested his chin briefly on her head. She patted his knee, once they were at the Guesthouse they could relax, wash, sleep, maybe even get something to eat. One of the other people on the tram, an older man, crumpled hat and shabby coat looked at them and smiled, maybe remembering when he was young and held hands in public.

The people on the tram helped them with the luggage and Mavi thanked them, waving as the tram left. He took the luggage in while Vinca held a sleepy Onnie against her side, and supported Letty by the rump as the little girl sprawled boneless as a rag against her.

He returned for the last of the luggage, and Vinca followed him. The guesthouse keeper was a spare woman, who took Letty and let Vinca carry the part of the luggage up. The women's hall was above the men's hall, both rooms housing a dozen cots, a room with sink and commodes off the kitchen and eating hall. The keeper gave Vinca a cot far from the entrance, “Do you co-sleep or do you need a crib for the little?”

“Co-sleep.” Vinca put a still sleeping Letty down, taking the key and unlocking the box at the foot of the bed to put her overnight bag inside. “Please, tell the Pastor I'll be here a bit, then be down to join him. Can I have a bowl to wash some of the dust off?”

“And a cup of water. It's been a dry spring so far.”

Vinca nodded her thanks.