“Don’t get angry. I am asking you out of ignorance. What can you really do to him?”

“Nothing. I can’t slash his throat, can I? Can I break his arms and legs? No. But I can make him eat dirt. That’s all I can do.”

“So you will make him eat dirt! What, you plan to sneak up behind him and give him a push?”

“Fine, we don’t have to argue about this now. You’ll see when they count the votes.”

“So you really think he will withdraw?”

“I can’t say for sure. It all depends on whether he is smart or stupid.”

“I’ll tell you one thing. I have known him for fifteen years now. Once he sets his mind on something, he gets it done . . .”

“Let him try!”

“Why are you so concerned about Chairman M. C. Joseph?”

“I told you. He’s been like a brother to me. And as people come, he is solid gold. But there’s more. Who do you think Joseph is? He is my old boss’s younger brother . . .”

“His own brother?”

“Same father, different mothers. He is the son of the youngest wife.”

“Ah! So that’s it.”

“So the lady says to me today . . .”

“What lady?”

“The one who owns my paper. She said to me this morning, ‘Young man, my brother-in-law needs to win this election. Keep that in mind when you write. OK? Stop writing nonsense. This is a matter of family honor now . . .’”

“Oh, there is such a thing, I suppose . . .”

“She talks like they have been related for thousands of years, you know!”

“So your veshti is folded up and you are in the fray now.”

“Yes, yes, yes! There’s no doubt about that. You please think over what I told you . . .”

“Think over what?”

“What I just told you. Go and file your candidacy. We’ll make sure you win. I’ll bring Joseph annachi over to your place one day. We can discuss further then.”

“But I am going to need some time to think this over . . .”

“Of course. This is no small matter. Think it over carefully. We have a week’s time . . . Anyway, I’ll get going now. The time flies when I stop to chat with you . . . See you later!”

Khader watched Isakki leave. Then he leaned back into his easy chair and closed his eyes.

14

14.