Eiske and Syp followed four of the boys into his sister's kitchen. Geldou scolded Syp for not coming home in time to take care of her outside chores. “I’m sorry, Mom. Eiske’s house needs a lot of cleaning.”

“Siedeske wasn’t a good housekeeper, Eiske?”

“I wouldn’t say that, Geldou. She was sick for over two years. I didn’t take care of a lot of things because I was busy caring for her. Syp was an excellent helper. Maybe Syp could come help me on the next day that there’s no school?”

“Syp is needed here, Eiske.”

“I would give you three mu-tocs for a day of her labor.”

Geldou’s eyes narrowed. “Why in the world would you do that?”

“Because the tasks that I need to do require two people. She’s very good at following directions and isn’t afraid of hard work. She knew which cleansers to use for which items, and she scrubbed all the filth off the kitchen and sleeping room floors when I made my walks around the property. You know it’s been nearly nine months since Siedeske died.”

“You hadn’t cleaned the floor this whole time?” Geldou didn’t believe him. “What have you been doing, Eiske?”

“Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Well, except for tending the fields. It’s been terribly hard since she died. Most nights I sit reading and smoking my pipe. I’ve been very depressed. Siedeske is gone. She was my life.”

“I thought doctoring was your life.”

“It was when I lived in the city. Things are different here.”

“Poor you!” she said sarcastically.

“Thanks for your condolences, sister. I see how it is.”

“I’ve got eight kids and a husband to feed. There is no time for grieving around here. Get your ass to work and keep your own house clean!”

“You don’t need to bring food over anymore, Geldou. Thanks for doing that for so long. I’m sorry I’ve been an ungrateful wretch.”

“That daughter of mine might be helpful to you, but she is worthless around here. She can’t see if the dishes are clean or dirty. She can’t see the dirt on the floors. She can’t see well enough to help in the kitchen, and I am tired of trying to help her with her schoolwork. This eyesight problem of hers needs to be addressed, but we simply don’t have the funds. She’s failing in her classes.”

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Eiske didn't believe her; Syp.had done a great job at his place. “Can I help out somehow? You’ve been so generous to me. What can I do to support you?”

“I don’t know. Maybe she needs a pair of lenses. We’d need to see an eye doctor first. Just seeing a doctor is expensive.”

“I’m willing to pay for that, Geldou.”

“She’s not worth it! She doesn’t belong here!” The boys, who had been horsing around in the washroom, became silent. Their mother was on the warpath again. What did Syp do this time?

“Where does she belong if she doesn’t belong here? She is one of the quintuplets. Just because she has a vision problem, you don’t want her here?”

“She’s another mouth to feed, Eiske. At least the boys are big enough to help their father!”

“The younger ones are only five. That makes the older ones, what? Seven, eight, and nine? What is wrong? This is more than Syp having a vision problem, isn’t it? What terrible thing has she done?”

“She was born! She is defective! She should have been left outside. We're going to sign the papers and "loose" her in four days. We need you to be the witness. You're a local official for these sorts of things.”

“You’re going to turn her loose? A five-year-old? I could understand if she were nine. Your oldest boy could be loosed. But a five-year-old? You’re putting her out the door to die.”

“Yes.”

“Are you preparing her for what’s ahead, Geldou? Have you taught her how to hunt and dress carcasses? How to fish? How to cook over an open fire? Have you taught her what to do if a male approaches her and wants sexual favors?”

“That’s one thing she’ll never have to worry about. She can’t be raped, and she can’t have children!”

“Any of us can be raped, male or female!”

“Well, she can’t be! Syp has no gender.”

Eiske was ready to argue with his sister but was aware of the silence in the house. Everyone was listening to the discussion and waiting for his response. Eiske wondered where Syp was, then realized that she was sitting on the floor behind the rocking chair that sat in the corner. “Because she is neither a girl nor a boy, you are going to kick Syp out with no basic training to live in the wild?”

“That’s what needs to happen to her!”

“Would you do that to one of the boys?” She was silent. “That has got to be the most inhumane thing I’ve heard of from your mouth. What exactly are you going to give her for equipment and supplies?”

“Nothing!”

“If you do that, I will take the matter to the area elders.”

“What matter?” Hearm entered the house.

“Loosing Syp.”

“This is not your business, Eiske!”

“It is my business, Hearm. I am a doctor, sworn to protect life. It is my duty to ensure that she is cared for. If you are going to loose her, then you need to ensure that she is equipped and able to take care of herself.”

“That is not our job!”

“It is. Rest assured, I will be here when you loose her. If she has not been given what she needs to ensure her survival for the first six months, I will report you to the authorities.”

“Get out Eiske! Go home! You are not welcome at this table tonight.”

“That’s too bad. You are all welcome at my table any time. Good day!” The door slammed behind him.