13. I'll Take Care of You – Dixie Chicks
Isis served the Gebna Makleyah with a watery smile. It was Malik's favourite, though her father complained the cheese gave him stomach cramps. She wouldn't usually make it, but tonight, when she'd seen Malik once again talking to Rishid about the outside world, she'd decided she'd risk her father's disapproval.
They ate in silence. With every bite she expected her father to make some comment, but he chewed and swallowed with obvious distraction. She suspected that she could have served refried toenails and he wouldn't have noticed, but Malik was obviously enjoying the meal and that was enough for her.
Afterwards she was left to clear the table, though as usual Rishid rose to do it. Just as she'd been waiting for her father to reprimand her for making a meal she knew he didn't like, Rishid spent each day waiting for the order that he wasn't to eat with them anymore, and tried to make himself useful so there'd be no excuse to keep him from Malik's side.
It pained Isis sometimes, to see how close Rishid and Malik were. She was Malik's blood-kin, and he loved her, but the fact remained that he was closer to their adopted brother. Rishid doted on Malik, too, so she felt horribly guilty every time she resented their bond.
Tonight Malik wanted to draw pictures. His little face lit up as he crayoned the wonderful things he'd heard about, but never seen in the outside world. Transport fascinated him, since he'd always used this own two feet, and he wanted to know how much faster a bus, or a car, or a motorcycle could go.
"One day, I'm going to ride a motorcycle," he said when he was tired and she scooped him into her arms before Rishid could. "An' I'll go fast as th' wuh-wind." He yawned, snuggling close and resting his cheek on her shoulder.
Isis patted his back and tucked him into bed, stroking his five-year-old face and worrying about the future, as well as the pang in her chest whenever she thought about her baby brother's.
A/N: Gebna Makleyah is a traditional Egyptian food of oven-fried cheese (my old boss used feta cheese, but he told me you could use anything), usually served with lemon wedges and pita triangles.