My first meeting with Odum and Ava was accidental; I had gone to visit the graves of Thusa and Jisse only to find them kneeling there in silent reflection. Odum looked up first, seeming suspicious of my presence. When Ava looked up, she immediately lowered her face in a manner I remembered from her Kee persona. The tilt of her head with her eyes locked on mine meant I was about to get a tongue-lashing.

I tried not to show my worry; the only tell-tale sign a faltering step before I continued forward. I tried to seem casual as I hailed the couple. “Odum,” said I. “Ava. I came to pay my respects.”

Ava jumped to her feet, and Odum rose to grab her wrist. She pulled free and stepped toward me. There, she stopped and glowered angrily. “Jeez make big mistake,” said Ava. 

I could see that it cost her to rein in her ire. “How so?” I asked.

“Give ranch to monkey,” she snapped.

“That was my choice,” I said.

Ava's eyes widened in surprise as her argument failed; she looked open-mouthed between Odum and me as she tried a new tack. “Think,” she said. “Monkey stupid. Ava smart. Smart move give ranch to Ava, make Odum helper.”

I took a breath to remain calm. I said, “On my ship, the smartest is the Great Mind. I come in a poor second. You and Odum are equal. Odum will run the ranch and you will be his helper. I expect you two to behave. You can have all you want here as long as you remember that you work for me.”

Ava stammered, “But,” then she began anew. “Ava.”

I didn't let her finish. I cut in and said, “Works for me.” I put a hand on Odum's shoulder and said, “Odum is a good man. Stop calling him monkey. He's your husband. How hard can it be to be a helper?”

Ava deflated, cast her face down, and scuffed a foot in the short grass. I walked to the headstones. I touched them, remembering my dear friends. When I raised my eyes, I saw that Odum held a respectful silence for me. Ava also looked at me, but her expression was sullen. When our eyes met, Ava stamped a foot and turned away.

I said, “Life here is easy. Listen to your husband. Honestly, if Thusa heard you speak, he would come up out of the grave and spank you.” At that, Ava turned back to me with wide eyes. I said, “If you don't want the ghosts coming after you, behave.” Even Odum gaped at the mention of ghosts. I walked away from the graves and stopped at the trees to turn. Odum and Ava had followed me with wide eyes. I said, “Work together.”

When I was among the trees, I put on invisibility and shifted behind the headstones. Odum and Ava stared silently at one another, Ava with a lingering pout on her pretty face. “Not right,” she said to Odum.

I scuffed my sandal in the loose soil and gravel. At the same time, I made a low humming noise. Ava spun on her heels to stare at the graves, her mouth gaping. Then, she turned and fled, Odum close behind.

I managed my time well, taking care to arrive at the ranch early. I groomed and fed Apple long before Odum and Ava got there. I had avoided the troubled couple for about five rotations, but on the following, I came back to find them at the ranch.

Odum had partitioned a small space in the lower corner with extra fencing, there to keep three young pigs. I walked to the lower corner where Odum and Ava watched the antics of the pigs.

Ava snorted and complained. “Boss Odum make Ava do all the work. You let Odum make slave of Ava.”

Without looking up from the pigs, Odum said, “Boss Odum.”

Ava answered bitterly. “Boss Odum. Ava not even get to name little meals.”

Odum shook his head as he turned to Ava while I draped my arms over the top rail. “Too young to eat. Samta must give seed and make baby Samtas.”

I said, “Samta's a good name. What did you name the gilts?”

Odum looked into my eyes and smiled. He answered, “Call Ava one and Ava two.”

Shocked, Ava made a sound like Pfff! Then, she folded her arms and turned away. Odum laughed, and I stepped away from the fence to leave, but Ava was not through. She said, “Not like to be called pig.” She stamped a foot, then turned to spear Odum with a barbed glare. “Call little pig Odum.”

“Boss Odum,” corrected Odum.

Ava responded with a cold voice. “Too little to be boss.”

I said, “All right, you two. Take a breath.”

Ava said to me, “Ava have voice too. Not a helper. Not hairy animal. Ava beautiful Huim woman. Woman better than man. Should be Boss Ava.”

Odum snorted. “Woman like gilt. Made to squeal.”

“Ah! Ah!” said Ava. “Gilts chew hard. See who squeals.”

I raised my hands over my head until I commanded quiet attention. I dropped my arms and said, “Remember. A husband and a wife should love each other.”

I turned and walked away, but before I was to the trees, I could hear the argument resume with Ava's reproach. “Why shame before Jeez? Odum not love wife?”

Odum answered, "Always Jeez. Ava Odum's wife. I deal with Jeez, wife deal with husband. Show love for husband only.”

“No more love,” said Ava. “Make Ava sore. Ava bite and kick. Put boss lump on monkey's head. Too much. Odum not love Ava, love self. Ava not squeal for Odum. Cut off toy; see who squeal then.”

Several rotations had passed, and I was in a pleasant mood as I strolled toward the central tree. I had arranged with the GM that the onset of dark mode be gradual, like the waning of light outside the Seed Ship. I planned to sit by the broad support that faced first fourth and watch the illumination fade. When I turned at the support, I saw Ava racing along the inside of the low wood fencing.

I quickly shifted to the ark, where I called out, “GM, lock the lift.”

I sat before the GUF and shook my head. Ava had driven me into hiding on my own ship, and that angered me. I  simply wished not to be placed in a situation where I was forced to use hard words with her. Still, I would not miss the first gradual dimming of light. I shifted to the falls and comforted by its soft sound, stretched out on the cool bench to look up.

I had enjoyed the dimming, and mentally, and gave myself credit for the idea. Fully in dark mode, I leaned against the bench. The falls soothed, and animal noises from the enclosures kept my spirit buoyant. But, my eyes were heavy; they told me it was time to sleep, time to shift to my apartment and seek my bed.

I let my eyes close; I let my contentment persuade me that I might sleep where I sat when I was startled by the soft padding of feet. I opened my eyes to see Ava race past me, and in a single smooth bound, leap into the pool. I watched the dark water settle. I saw the top of Ava's head rise from the still surface. It was just her eyes above the water, dark upon dark, but I saw them turn to me.

I saw her wanton smile as she walked from the pool and stood before me wet and naked. Ava spread her arms and turned slowly. When she faced me again, she crouched and hugged her knees. “Ava choose Jeez,” said she. Her smile was assured, determined.

I looked into her eyes and answered, “Stop this and go home.”

Ava moved closer and knelt before me, her smile undaunted. “Three too many,” she said. “Put monkey outside. Ava be soft and sweet for Jeez. Do all for Jeez.”

I said, “You two are the last of your kind. You have a responsibility to perpetuate your species.”

Ava walked forward on her knees until she was close. Her smile was eager. She said, “Ava perpetuate with Jeez.”

I took a breath and hardened my tone of voice. “I'm not the man you used to know. I'm not going to play this game. Give Odum children. End of argument.” I considered shifting to my bed. I was in a vulnerable position; if Ava could find me, so could Odum. The last thing I wanted was personal drama. Ava moved back and stood. I looked up at a beautifully endowed woman, and she stood in a way that suggested she knew it. Our eyes locked, and I said. “Go home. Don't make me angry.”

Ava placed a hand on her belly and looked down at it as she moved her hand in a gentle circle. “This not baby Odum,” she said. “This baby Jeez.”

My mouth dropped open as I remembered. “Listen to me rattle on,” I said with my head atop hers. “What was your news?” Her words were far away. She said slowly, “Ava with child.” Then, she fell asleep.

I stood and studied her face, it was both defiant yet seeking confirmation. I looked down at a belly that was slightly swollen. I stepped back and shook my head. “I'm sorry,” I said. “You're Odum's wife. Have your baby and tell him he's the father.”

Ava was less than pleased with my response. She said in a hardened voice, “Jeez think Odum not know when he see white baby? Cause trouble. Avoid trouble with Odum outside.”

“No,” I said, stammering. “I can't accept this. I can care for all of you, even with children, but give Odum the child. Give the child brothers and sisters. This second chance belongs to you and Odum.”

Ava raised her face and screamed. When she was spent, she turned back to me and said without reservation, “Belong to Jeez. Ava and baby Jeez. Ava decide. Not Odum. Not Jeez. Ava give heart to Jeez only. Ava give Jeez fine son. Raise with all love. Be family. That my choice!”

I continued to shake my head. I reminded Ava, “You were punished for your choice. It was the will of your people. Ava, I put you in the tree to save your life. Don't force my hand. Give the child to Odum.”

Shaking my head, I turned away from Ava and stopped short. There stood Odum by a palm, a hurt expression on his face. I groaned in my spirit. My mouth opened in apology, but no words came forth. Odum, stunned, sank to a seated position by the palm. Odum knew of my indiscretion, that is why he volunteered for the A. P. He seemed beyond broken as he sat there; he had been broken twice.

I turned to Ava in anger, “See what you've done,” I accused.

“Not care,” said Ava. “Put Odum out. Keep Ava.”

I raised my face; I wanted to scream like Ava had. The situation was just that bad. I was angry and afraid; afraid I might set the monster free. I did not allow myself to vent the anger I felt. I lowered my face, clenched my fists, and put some distance between Ava and myself. I had walked about twenty hands when I turned to look at her.

I tried reason; I said, “Odum loves you.” That was as far as I got.

Ava cut in with a fierce shake of her head. “No,” she said. “Odum love Odum. Always force Ava to ground. Make Ava cry.”

I turned to look at Odum, surprised by Ava's accusation. Odum lowered his face and slowly shook his head from side to side. I turned back to Ava, with nothing to say. The fault was mine. I took a breath, turning away.

I said. “You'll have to find a way to make your marriage work. Live your lives, do your jobs, and leave me out of it.”

“No,” said Ava. “Ava make choice. Put Odum outside. Make Ava happy. Do right.”

“Stop!” shouted Odum. I watched him jump to his feet and walk to Ava. “You already wife. Odum be husband and father. Do better. Stay.”

“Not stay,” said Ava. “Odum hurt Ava. Ava hate monkey. Ava have voice. Monkey leave. Ava stay with Jeez.”

I could take no more. “Shut up!” I shouted. “Both of you. I'm tired of this. If you don't like what I've given you, I can show you both to the door. Work it out, or leave.”

My anger was matched by Odum's. He turned to me with a hateful look and reached for Ava, who shoved him away. Ava stamped a foot, shouted, and sank to her knees, where she wept loudly. Odum knelt beside Ava and pulled her into his arms.

Ava buried her wet face and complained through her tears, “Why Odum hurt Ava?” She beat a small fist against his broad chest.

Odum pushed Ava's hair aside and answered in a penitent voice, “Odum sorry. Not hurt Ava anymore. Odum be better. Promise.”

I was exhausted. I felt as if I should simply shift away and leave the moment to them, but I did not act in time. Ava pushed Odum away with such force that she fell from her knees.

She spoke bitterly. “Stupid monkey! Never change. Just want inside Ava.” She struggled to her feet and brushed the sand from her skin. “Ava not be your toy,” she said. “Ava nobody's toy. New body belong to Ava. I have say.”

Odum looked up from the sand and said, “Change for Ava. Be good. Let Ava have say.”

Ava wiped her face and turned away from him. “How many time you say be good?” she asked. “Never change. Just stupid monkey.”

Weakened by the exchange, I suggested, “Why don't you two go home and talk it out.”

Ava turned to me with a sudden fire in her eyes. “Your fault,” she accused. “Be beautiful Huim. Win Ava's heart for all time.”

I responded, “Don't blame me, and I won't blame you. The second time was my mistake. The first time, you drugged and used me.”

“Still your fault,” countered Ava, unfazed. “Now, Ava beautiful Huim. Perfect match for Jeez. Even have perfect baby Jeez in belly.”

Odum complained, “Odum Huim too.”

Ava snapped, “Just look Huim. Shut monkey mouth; Ava talk with Jeez.”

I threw my hands into the air, turned, and sat against a palm.  From there, I said, “Come and sit by me. Both of you.” When they sat in front of me, Ava scooting away from Odum, I said, “I have something to say; please don't speak until I'm through. Outside this ship is a world that neither of you is prepared to deal with. Odum has seen a bear and a wolf; wolves hunt in packs as big as twelve members. Then there are the lions that are bigger and stronger and also hunt in packs. That alone would be bad enough, but there's more. There are people just like you, only they're savage and would likely kill you on site. We're safe in my ship. The two of you have all you need. Food, a place to sleep, things to do; it's all mine to give, and I give it freely. All I ask in return is that you don't make me sorry to have you here. I would hate to do so, but if you force me to, I'll put both of you outside. Ava, I reject your choice. I choose to live alone. That leaves the two of you with one option, a life with each other. So, do me a really big favor, and work out your differences. I'll care for both of you; food, shelter, and work. I'll offer the same to your children, but that's all. I offer no more. Please, go home, leave me in peace, and at least try to be good to each other.”

I nodded for them to go. My words were as clear as I could make them; there was nothing left to say. For a while, Odum stared at me with narrowed eyes, but in the end, he nodded and stood. Ava was still pouting when he extended a hand to her. I motioned with my head for Ava to leave. She made a dissatisfied sound and rose to her feet. Brushing Odum's hand aside, Ava turned to leave. Odum turned with her. I shifted to a standing position in front of them, wringing a gasp from Ava. They stopped in their tracks as I stepped close.

“Mark my words,” I said, hearing subdued anger in my voice. “Work together, if not in love, then at least with respect. And Odum, don't hurt Ava.”