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“Ali,” I said. “I’ve got someone I want you tomeet.”
“It’s not a girl is it?” He sunk into his sofa, and hid behind hisbook.
Kaza snatched it away. “Damn right it’s agirl.”
“No, Azar. Please don’t embarrass me and introduce me to another girl.” When Ali glanced up at me his face blanched and his lips wobbled. “Is that forme?”
My throat choked up, and I nodded. News of Karim’s death had crushed my brother. He’d grieved for over a rotation of the moon. I’d given him time to process his monkey’s death. Then I’d ordered another squeaker from a merchant in town. It only arrived by messenger thismorning.
“Her name’s Karima,” joked Kaza, slapping Ali with the back of hishand.
Ali laughed. “That’s a stupidname.”
I handed Ali themonkey.
He clutched it to his chest as if it were his own baby. “Hello. You’re very cute. And you don’t smell as bad asKarim.”
Tears streamed down hischeeks.
Damn it. He made me crytoo.
“And you’re a girl too,” said Ali. “What shall I callyou?”
“Kazana,” suggestedKaza.
“No way,” Alireplied.
Zand entered with a stack of logs in hisarms.
“Zandi,” Kazasaid.
“No.”
“Careful,” Zand said, throwing a log onto thefire.
“Dahvina,” triedKaza.
“Gods.” Ali slapped a hand over hisforehead.
Kaza crossed his arms. “What about AliBaba?”
Ali’s frown softened. He thought about it for a few moments. “It’s a boy’s name. But I likeit.”
That was settledthen.
Ali jumped and gave me a quick hug. “Thank you,Azar.”
I rubbed his back. “You’rewelcome.”
Things were finally coming together. Everything was perfect. I’d gotten my happy ending, and I couldn’t ask for it any otherway.
