The Argument · The Salt Road · Pulse Beat
After they left, the family fought, which had been a long time coming. "It's eighty percent, Papa," said Jayesh, pacing. "It clears everything. It's a way out. Nobody's asking you to be a saint."…
After they left, the family fought, which had been a long time coming.
"It's eighty percent, Papa," said Jayesh, pacing. "It clears everything. It's a way out. Nobody's asking you to be a saint."
"Nobody's asking him to be a fool, either," said Mohan. "The women..."
"The women will find something! People always find something. Mohan, I'm sorry, but you can't carry forty families because you're too frightened to leave."
"I'm not frightened!"
"You've never left! Have you ever once gone anywhere?" Jayesh's face was red. "You live here because it's the only life you have. I'm not being cruel. I'm being honest."
Mohan stood very still. "I live here," he said quietly, "because somebody had to. Because the two of you went, and Papa couldn't do it alone. Because I was fifteen and I didn't have a choice, and then I did, and I stayed." He took a breath. "Don't tell me I'm frightened. I'm the only one who isn't."
Silence. Then, in the corner, a thin, broken voice. "Stop," said Dhanji. "Both of you. Your mother is listening."