"Maman." Arezoo pulled back with a watery laugh. "I'll be fine. It's just the village bar, not a nightclub in Hollywood." She extracted herself from her mother's embrace. "I have to call Drova and tell her the good news. She'll be so happy."
"I'm glad she's your friend." Her mother wiped tears from her lashes with the sleeve of her shirt. "She's formidable, and no one will bother you with her by your side."
That had probably been a big factor in her mother's decision to ease the rules. She knew that Arezoo would be safe with Drova around.
In her room, Arezoo dropped onto her bed and took a moment to catch her breath and internalize the fact that her mother had finally seen her as an adult.
When she finally called Drova, the girl answered almost immediately. "I've heard what happened. My mother told me that someone recognized your mother and her sisters in a city market. Are they okay? I mean, it must have been scary for them."
It was incredible how fast rumors spread in the village, and Arezoo wondered how long it would take before everyone would know that she was now free to visit the bar, and by everyone, she meant Ruvon.
"They are fine. A little shaken but getting over it. That's not why I'm calling, though."
"Oh yeah?" Drova must have heard in her tone that she had something exciting to share because she suddenly sounded more curious than worried. "What is it?"
"The incident must have unsettled my mother's foundations because she came home and told me that I'm free to go to the bar if I want to."
"Thank the Mother of All Life! We are going tonight."
Arezoo laughed. "It's Tuesday. The bar isn't open on weekdays."
"It is now. There was an announcement on the bulletin board. The Hobbit will be open every night until Fenella leaves for her trip. Everyone wants to catch her readings while they can."
Arezoo's stomach did a double flip. She'd been expecting to have days to prepare mentally for her first bar visit. "I don't know if I can tonight."
"Yes, you can," Drova said firmly. "I'll pick you up at nine so we can get there right as it opens. It'll be packed because everyone wants a reading. Bring an object for Fenella to read."
