Chapter 26: By The Fire
Time passed by the glowing warmth of the fire. Hu packed a wooden pipe with tobacco and puffed on it peacefully, blowing the smoke out of a cracked open window. From within the house’s safety, the rain outside sounded pleasant and soothing splattering on the roof.
Charles lay on a recliner. A cat had taken an interest in him, rubbing her side and tail along his leg. Charles dangled a strand from his Aeonian shirt for her, and she pawed at it, catching the cloth with her claw. They tugged.
Malia and Gish sat on the carpet in front of the fireplace.
“Let me think,” Gish said. “Jelani. My cousin on my father’s side, Adina, who lives in Aeonia City now with her family… her cousin was named Jelani.”
“Do you know anything about her?” Malia asked.
“No, no,” Gish said. “I don’t even remember her first name. And then to go back generations? I haven’t a clue.”
Malia drooped her head in disappointment.