Page 128 - Leadership in the Indian Army

"Piss. Urine."

"That's…that's terrible. God I'm sorry. Poor you. I'll have a talk with him
first thing in the morning. Or maybe with his mother. Yes, that would be

better, I think."

"I haven't told you who it was."
"Oh. Well, who was it?"

"Nevermind."

"You're angry."

"You were supposed to pick me up."

"I was," Mammy croaked. Laila could not tell whether this was a

question. Mammy began picking at her hair. This was one of life's great
mysteries to Laila, that Mammy's picking had not made her bald as an

egg. "What about…What's his name, your friend, Tariq? Yes, what about

him?"

"He's been gone for a week."

"Oh." Mammy sighed through her nose. "Did you wash?"

"Yes."

"So you're clean, then." Mammy turned her tired gaze to the window.
"You're clean, and everything is fine."

Laila stood up. "I have homework now."