You seen the numbers? Old Sam said to Ulanie. What am I saying, of course you ain‘t seen the numbers or you wouldn‘t be making such a goddamn fool proposal. Since the boys opened that clinic? Alcoholism in the Park, down. Clap, down. Rapes, down. Child abuse, spousal abuse, down. Okay, maybe only a couple percentage points for some of them, but we‘re sure as hell headed in the right direction. Pretty sure the boys have single-handedly stopped the spread of AIDS in the Park, too. If it ain‘t broke, don‘t fix it.

Through it all, Ulanie sat where she was, erect, her lips pursed in their regulation disapproving pucker, clearly not expecting this wholesale condemnation but not flinching away from it, either. One thing you could say for Ulanie, she wasn‘t a coward. She waited them out, looked at Kate, and raised her hand.

The chair recognizes Ulanie Anahonak. Ms. Anahonak.

And Ulanie said sweetly, I repeat my motion. I move that the board fund an outside audit on the Niniltna Health Clinic. Is there a second?

There wasn‘t, immediately. Ulanie used the brief silence to say, just as sweetly, I‘m sure the Grosdidiers are doing a wonderful job down at their clinic. The audit will only prove that to be true, and reinforce how well we‘re being taken care of. Won‘t it?

Kate opened her mouth, for the first time in one of these meetings without knowing what was going to come out of it. Into this dangerous breach Annie Mike said, without displaying any vulgar rush to fill the dangerous silence following Ulanie‘s words, Forgive the interruption, madam chair and ladies and gentlemen of the board, point of order?

Kate‘s mouth shut with a snap. Yes, Ms. Mike?

Unfazed, Annie said, According to the bylaws, outside audits of nonprofit arms of the corporation will require a majority of the board as cosponsors.

So what? Ulanie said. Einar?

Excuse me, Ms. Anahonak, Annie said, but I believe the bylaws as written provided for a three-person majority of the original five-member board before a motion involving expenditure could even be proposed. This was, I believe, an attempt on the part of the Association‘s founders to expedite debate and promote constructive action.

For Association‘s founders read Ekaterina Shugak, Kate thought, and for expedite debate read avoid bloodshed during board meetings. Clever Emaa. Ulanie‘s face had reddened and her mouth wasn‘t pursed anymore, it was a tight, thin line.

However, the language of the clause reads a simple majority.‘ Annie looked at Kate. There was the faintest suggestion of a raised eyebrow.

Thank you, Ms. Mike, Kate said, not a muscle moving on her face to reflect her inner rejoicing. She turned to Ulanie. Ms. Anahonak, the board now numbers nine. A simple majority is five. As a matter affecting the debate, I would like to poll the board on those inclined to favor Ms. Anahonak‘s motion.

Ulanie‘s hand shot up. Einar raised his hand. Harvey looked like he would have if he‘d been in the majority. Everyone else‘s hands stayed firmly at their sides. Kate said, I move that we table Ms. Anahonak‘s motion until the next board meeting, so that she will have had time to consult with her colleagues as to the, uh, viability of said motion.