WHEN WE got back to the clearing, Michelle was perched on the Mole's oil drum, a fresh blanket beneath her. The boy was sitting on the ground, her hand on his shoulder. They were waiting for us.
The Mole went into his bunker.
"I'm still having the operation," she told me, defiance lancing through the fear in her voice.
I bowed.
A half-smile played across her lovely face. She patted Terry's shoulder. "Sweetheart, just tell me you don't want to be like Burke- that's all I ask."
"I want to be like Mole."
"Honey, the Mole's a genius. I'd never take that away from him. And he's a wonderful man in many ways. I know he's taught you a lot. And I know he loves you, although I'm sure he's never told you."
"He told me. He said he was proud of me."
"I know, baby. But…to live like this. You'll be a man soon. The Mole…I mean, you want to live out here? Never have a girl of your own?"
"I'll have a woman, when I'm ready. A mate. Like the Mole said. A man has to have a mate."
"But the Mole…he doesn't…"
"Mom, I thought you…"
It was the first time I ever saw Michelle blush.