Cedar Sweep the empty bowl

Meerkat couldn’t help but think of the time Njord had left her to visit his family and announce the birth of their eldest children. Had Kigipigak left for something similar? Why hadn’t he gone back to them? Asivaq didn’t say. She focused more on her own role—or lack thereof—in Kivaluk’s life afterward. She circled back to the subject of her husband to say she thought he’d changed for the better.

Why did he leave them? Meerkat asked.

Asivaq loved Kigipigak and it sounded like she would choose him over anyone. Meerkat could appreciate that sort of loyalty, though she couldn’t deny the flag waving in her face. Was it yellow or red? She had no intention of judging Asivaq or trying to change her mind about her husband, though Meerkat wanted to know the kind of man who would be their neighbor.