Burda and Sullha stood in the corridor, staring at the closed door for a moment. Then Burda turned and started walking.
Sullha followed. "She's not going to come."
"She might," Burda said. "She didn't say no. I'm surprised that she said she would think about it. That was more than I expected from her. You are good at this."
"Thank you."
The next four went more smoothly. Perhaps because Sullha's delivery improved with each subsequent attempt, or maybe because the mothers were just more positively inclined.
Gindah, Mirumah, and Zohara had needed a little coercing, but all Baruha had to hear to agree was that her daughter Asira would be there.
"Who's next?" Burda asked.
"I've already spoken to Rohilah and Asira about the teaching position, so I only need to tell them about the meeting. I'm saving my mother for last as you suggested."
"Is this an attempt to get closer to your mother?" Burda asked. "Because I don't see any other reason to offer her a position like that."
Sullha nodded. "I figured that if I want her in my life, I need to work harder at making it happen."
The teaching position wouldn't help them get closer because it was just a pretext, but getting her mother off the island might do it.
"You're a good kid." Burda put her hand on Sullha's shoulder. "Your mother doesn't deserve you."
After speaking with Asira and Rohilah, Sullha and Burda headed to the laundry building.
The heat coming off the walls was oppressive, and it wasn't even noon yet.
Sullha took a breath and walked through the laundry door, with Burda by her side.
Leehy was at the same pressing machine she'd been working the other time Sullha had come to see her, and her face was already shining with sweat. Her friend Miral was at her folding station, and she glanced up when Sullha and Burda walked over to them.
"Sullha." Miral's voice was warm. "Twice in one week. You are spoiling your mother."
"I need a moment with her. Could you cover the press for a little bit?"
"Of course." She turned to Sullha's mother. "Take a break, Leehy."
At first, her mother looked confused, but then it changed to the blankness she wore like a shield.
"What do you want, Sullha?"
"Just come outside with me for a moment. I have an offer for you."
Leehy looked at Burda, who nodded at her and even put on a smile, which was so rare on her weathered face that it took Sullha a moment to recover from the shock.
Leehy hesitated, then stepped away from the press, wiping her hands on her apron, and followed them out into the slightly cooler air of the courtyard.
They sat on the bench, with Leehy sandwiched between Burda and Sullha.
"What's going on?" Leehy asked.
Sullha looked at her. "I am gathering a group of women at the playground this evening. We are meeting at six o'clock, and Saphira is going to talk about the school. We don't have enough teachers and assistants, and we need more help with the children. I want you to come."
Leehy's face closed.
"I am not a teacher."
"That is what I keep hearing today. None of the women I approached are teachers, but they all could be. Tonight is about what kind of help is needed, and how each of us could contribute."
