"Just tea. I've forgotten how to cook. Not that I would have known what to do in a modern kitchen."
"Then we're definitely stopping by the café before we go to William's lab." Wonder linked their arms together. "Come on. Food will help you feel better."
"I'm not sure I want to go to William's," Tula admitted as they walked toward the door. "Tony's staying with him and Kaia. They probably think I'm a terrible person for ending things with him. He might have even told them a sob story about me kicking him out."
"That's nonsense." Wonder squeezed her arm. "They're not going to judge you for making choices about your life after you've lived for so long without the ability to make them."
"But—"
"No buts. You need a phone, and William is the one who assigns them to clan members; therefore, we're going to see him. End of discussion."
Tula let herself be pulled along, grateful for Wonder's decisiveness even though she was surprised by it. Wonder was definitely not Gulan.
But right now, making decisions felt beyond her capacity, and she was perfectly okay with her sister taking over.
The village looked different in the morning light. Prettier, somehow. Less intimidating. People were out walking, jogging, some looking like they were dressed for work, others for exercise.
Several of them waved or smiled at Tula as she passed, and she tried to return the gestures, but it felt awkward.
The café was an open-air setup—just a service kiosk and vending machines in the back, and plentiful seating in the front.
Two women were working behind the counter. One was tall and striking with an unusual quality to her features that Tula recognized were Kra-ell. The other was short and plump with an easy smile and kind eyes.
"This is my sister, Tula." Wonder introduced her. "Tula, this is Wendy and Aliya. They work with me at the café."
"Hi," Tula said. "It's nice to meet you."
"Your sister!" Wendy's eyes went wide. "Oh my God, the one from—from the rescue mission? That's amazing. Welcome to the village!"
Aliya's smile was more reserved but no less warm. "Welcome. May you find happiness here. I certainly did."
"Thank you." Tula felt overwhelmed by their friendliness, by how readily they accepted her.
Wonder ordered coffee, sandwiches, and pastries for them. It was far more food than Tula thought she could eat, but Wonder waved away her protests.
"You're eating for two. And you've had a rough morning. Eat as much as you want, and we'll save the rest for later."
They chose a table in the shade even though it was so nice outside that Tula wouldn't have minded sitting in the sun.
She bit into her sandwich and nearly moaned. It was delicious—fresh bread, some kind of meat she didn't recognize, pickled vegetables, and a tangy sauce. She devoured it and reached for another before realizing that she was being rude.
"Sorry," she said, embarrassed. "I was hungrier than I thought."
"Don't apologize." Wonder pushed the sandwich toward her. "There is more where this came from."
After Tula was done with the second sandwich, she took a few sips of the coffee and leaned back.
"Feeling better?" Wonder asked.
Tula nodded. "I still feel guilty, sad, and a little confused about feeling guilty and sad, but I'm also relieved."
"Of course." Wonder sipped her coffee. "Those are all legitimate. What are you going to do now? Are you going to move in with Raviki and Rolenna? Perhaps they can cook?"
"I doubt that." Tula hadn't thought that far ahead. "And I don't want to move. I like the house."
"By yourself? Won't that be lonely?"
"Maybe." Tula hadn't considered that. The house that had felt suffocating yesterday suddenly seemed very empty.
