Vinca emptied the contents of Nesim's diaper into the commode and
flushed it. On the table top, he picked at the strap holding him
down and raised his feet into the air, squealing. “Another full
load, Stinky Boy.” She rolled the diaper up and hoped there'd be a
chance to wash it. She got out a fresh diaper, flicked it open and
applied it to his rump. He laughed and squirmed and she almost
jabbed him with the pin before she got it secured, and released him.
The dirty diaper
went into a sealed bag, that went into the supply bag and she
released the Kedai brat from the table, picking him up and holding
his hand while they left the bathroom. He spotted Mavi before she
did, talking to a taller, slender woman with her back to them. Her
headcovering marked her as married, though the iron gray braids
marching for the floor from beneath the scarf marked her as middle
aged at the very least. Nesim squealed and tugged free of her hand,
lurching across the floor for his father, who picked him up and sat
him on one hip, still talking to the older woman. Vinca grinned at
the sight, half wishing she hadn't said they'd wait the full year to
see if she could acclimate to Dinc and learn Pachem ways. He saw her
grin and smiled back, putting his hand on the woman's back. “Mother,
I'd like you to meet someone.”
The woman
turned, and Vinca saw the face she'd seen mouthing an
incomprehensible greeting in the immigration chip, a bit more aged, a
bit more stern, falling into a frown from the smile she'd been giving
Mavi, before smoothing into a detached professionalism as she took in
Vinca's lack of height and her hair, still not long enough to do more
than hang shaggily in her face. Vinca admired the expression, even
though it made her feel smaller than Nesim. “You've hired a child
of your Parish to look after your son for your visit?”
The clerk,
hovering nearby, almost squeaked. “No, Pastor Jeremiah – “
“No, Mother.”
Mavi said. “This is Vinca.”
The professional
expression turned into a near frown. “Who?”
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