Themis hadn't expected to share parts of her life story with an urchin in the park in the dead of night; absolutely not in her lesson plan for the evening. Yet, here she was, faced with both the easiest and thorniest of questions: why? So many ways to answer a question that never had a satisfactory response.

"Because, Charley, without the kindness of someone who owed me nothing, I would be in a worse position than you are now." It was the truth, as simply as she could deliver it. "I think the least I can do, to honor the person who gave me a chance, is to offer that chance to someone else. Should you choose, that person can be you." Themis placed the decision firmly where it belonged, at the young girl's feet. Their stories were different, in many ways, and one of them was Charley was old enough to have a say in her fate.

"I am not taking you on to serve me, and I care little for parlor games. If you stay at my home, you will behave appropriately and you will be diligent in lessons. You will show respect to the people and creatures that serve my family. You will be treated with respect in turn. We can discuss our terms in detail, but for tonight, I offer a safe place to sleep." Themis extended her hand, "Can we agree on that?"

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   Charley Goode