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Show 77 The gray light of dawn came into the sky. Chua roused himself. He couldn't wait any longer. He needed to get to Toho's village for the race. "I must go," Chua said. "Wait," Apa said. "I think he has stopped dancing." She was right. The air was still. Soon Ahote's footsteps approached the room. "Give me a com cake," he said stumbling into the doorway. His body glistened with sweat. He shivered. He ate it with a pinch of chewing root. "Ahhh," he said, and spat it out on the ground. "There's no salt in these cakes." "I know," Apa said. "We have no salt. Will you go for some?" "We need salt to preserve the meat." He frowned, looking at the meat smoking over the fire. It will taste flat without the salt. "You're right. We need the salt," Apa said. Ahote rolled his eyes. "The things I do for this clan! I can't go right now," he said. "I have to sleep." "Sleep then," Apa said. "You can go later." Chua and Apa froze until sounds of Ahote's snoring filled the room. "You must go now," Apa said. "What if he wakes before I return?" whispered Chua. "I will tell him I have sent you for water," she said. "Here, take the water jar to the next apartment." Apa touched his cheek when he returned. "Watch for me in the clouds during the race," she said. "I will smile at you. I know your father will be with you also." He thanked Sotuknang for his mother. |