Keith insisted, for the fourth or fifth time. “Thanks for asking me, but I can find something. Really.” The kitchen was full of cooks, yet nothing was getting cooked, except tempers. He tried to catch Keva’s eye, but she wasn’t looking at him or anyone else. Holl, head propped up on his palm, sat beside him, looking as though he hadn’t slept much. Keith’s cheerful queries about how everyone had slept had been met with uneasy glances or glares. “Stay,” Maura said, laying a hand on his arm. She was the only one who didn’t seem to be involved in whatever was eating everybody else, but he could see worry in her eyes, and did not want to add to it. He wondered if it was about him. Even Dola didn’t meet his eyes, concentrating on playing with baby Asrai. Maybe Holl had caught flak for letting Keith stay. Despite the expense he’d better find a place of his own. “It’s all right.” “No, really,” Keith said. “I’ve got to get to class by nine. Thanks.” He started to rise from the bench at the long table.
