The silence is stunning. Even I can’t believe it for a moment. Then whispers break out among the Elders. Then they turn into conversations. And suddenly, we are surrounded by streams of loud, boisterous noise, completely indistinguishable as they overlap one another, made louder by the echoes caused by the high ceilings.
“Order, order!” Council Leader Tyler, and the conversations rapidly die down. “We still need a formal vote and it will be done now. There will be no more discussion until that vote is completed.”
Next to him, Speaker Mae is wearing a look that could curdle milk. I notice she has visibly shifted her chair to be as far away from Speaker Francis as possible without physically leaving the table.
I guess she thinks kindness is contagious, I say to Rosa.
Oh, I’m sure she was
