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Show 83 Pavati laughed, "Yes," she said to the bird, "You can eat some of the seeds inside." She stroked the bird's head. "Save the rest ^planting in the spring." The sun was high in the sky now as Chua set off across the mesa. He worried about his mother. The heavy knot of fear and anger seemed to be in his belly all the time when he knew Ahote was there. Ahote's dark beady eyes were there in his head again. He shook his head to get them to leave. He tried to find peace inside, but couldn't. At least he had Chosovi back. ' As Chua climbed down the canyon wall to the cliff dwelling, he could hear Ahote. "Why did you let him go for water?" Chua thought quickly and went around first to the apartment where he left the water jar before he entered the door of their house. "Here's the water," Chua said, seeing his mother crouching in the comer. He held the jar with one hand and hid the squash behind his back with the other. Ahote grabbed the water jar and drank from it. He spat on the ground. "This is not fresh water," he yelled, and turned on Chua. "You're^a worthless, no good liar. V^ Where have you been all day?" "Getting the water," Chua said. WeH^ was Hue. He had just gone lu the next, though- Ahote grabbed Chua by the shoulders. He limped because of his swollen foot. Chosovi fluttered off Chua's head out into the sunshine. "Tell me the truth," yelled Ahote. Chua's mouth remained shut. He held the squash firmly behind his back. |