Yusuf rolled his shoulders into a gesture that should have looked somewhat like a shrug. Maybe it was terrible, but why shouldn’t that mare get so mad? She had a right to her feelings, just as Yusuf had a right to his—however neutral they were most of the time. He felt guilty for getting mad and yelling at that mare now, because he probably deserved her unkind words. And here he was, still intruding and now upsetting Ava with his very pathetic story.

“I’m sorry to bother you with this,” he offered. He really was. Yusuf never wanted to burden others with his problems. Even Orhan. Sighing, he shook his head.

“I used to live in the Meadow, but I’d have to cross the ocean again to return there.”

He shuddered at the thought. The last thing he wanted to do was set foot in the sea again. It had almost killed him before and he was certain that it would try again.

“To be honest, I am tired of clinging to life by what feels like an assortment of skinny threads of grass. I would like to stay here. To stop moving for awhile.”

Perhaps it would be smart to try and find Orhan and ask his permission to stay here. Then he would not have to feel so guilty for intruding as he was. And it was nice to know that Ava was around too. Yusuf liked the idea of knowing she was nearby. Her company made him feel like everything was okay, or at least could be.



-yusuf