Redsand Canyon let me make you proud

His nose had finally done him good.

Despite his worries, Turmeric felt his face brighten when his mother turned to meet him. "Mooom," he said as any young boy might, and ducked out of the line of her kiss with a laugh, but not before stealing a kiss to her chin in amiable return.

The mood quickly shifted. "It's about dad," he began, "I know he leaves sometimes, but he's been gone longer than he's ever been gone before..." and though he had so much more to say, Turmeric wanted to hear what his mother had to say to this first, and he turned his eyes on her with a silent question he knew he didn't have to speak.