Advice for a Cousin

When Sasha walked into Room 4 the next Tuesday, Frank was already there, as always, putting the chairs in a half circle. He looked up, and for a second neither of them spoke.

"About last week," Frank said quietly. "The man with the measuring tape."

"I did not understand everything," said Sasha. "But I understood 'sold.'"

Frank put down the chair he was holding. He looked older than he had looked in September.

"The city wants to sell the building," he said. "Nothing is final yet. There's a council meeting, there are reports, there's a long process. I'm trying to find out what's possible before I worry everyone." He took a breath. "Give me one week, Sasha. Then I'll tell the whole class myself. I promise."

Sasha thought about it. He did not like secrets. But he understood a man who needed time to find the right words. He had needed two years.

"One week," he said.