We continued the night with eating and drinking and merry conversation. I listened as the men each gave drunken stories of their past. It seemed to be an initiation of sorts. Becoming a member of Nikolas' crew required this ticket—a humiliating revelation of my past. They would not ease their pressure until I gave something to entertain them.
They ate and watched me. Nikolas was also curious, and I had drunk some, so I told them about my time as a boy when the coldest winter had struck our island. Still too warm for snow to fall, but I had fallen ill anyway. And in my pride, I had tried to operate my sick limbs on my own. I reached the bathroom across from my old bedroom, but I was too weak to carry myself and slipped into someone's mess. I had gotten my sister to bathe me, as I was in my shame of what my parents might think.
The memory both ached and filled me with warmth. It was humorous to recount it with Nelera.
