“Anything you want. I can’t sleep on that chair, it’s harder than stone,” Pa declared with feeling. “As soon as I’m mended, I’m going to ask Noki to help me make a new one. If any of us get sick in the future, we’ll need it.”

Ma kissed his cheek. “You’re only thinking of your own old age, which is a little closer than it is for the rest of us,” she teased.

Pa slapped her rump. “Now come on, you old hag, you’re only two years younger than me. Maybe I better just move our bed down here and Karik can bring us our soup while we drool on the pillows.”

“Karik will be married and too busy to feed you anything by then,” his mother said. “Won’t you, Ka-chi?”

Personally, Karik thought that was unlikely, but he smiled anyway. “I mi-might stop by.”

“So kind, son of mine,” Pa said, pulling a face at him. “I knew there was a reason we kept you around.”

It was just a joke, but Karik couldn’t stop the slow burn in his face, or the emotions the words caused. Ma gave him a sharp look and then turned to Pa. “Reji, are you ready for me to give you a wash?”

“I can wash myself,” he said impatiently. “I’ve only sprained my knee, not broken it in two.”

She folded her arms. “Fine. Be an independent arse and when Karik and I have to come and pick you up off the floor, you’ll only have yourself to blame.”

Pa got to his feet with the help of the chair back and his stick. “Oh, be quiet, you harridan. You’re enjoying this far too much.”