In all those women there is not one to match you. They have known my flesh. You have known my heart, and stolen my soul.

There is so little joy in any life, I will take this time with you until I must go." He smoothed a lock of hair from her face. "In our old age, we'll remember and be glad.

Seems to me people are mean or evil because they're scared, mostly, or in pain, or afraid they're going to lose something.

It's not being a woman I mind so much," she said slowly. "'Tis the way men seem to always order my life." She leaned earnestly toward him. "Your hand, Papa, has wielded a sword and cradled a child and held power over hundreds of men." She held up her own hand. "This one has far fewer adventures before it.

How could you carry the inside of a person with you and not call them a friend, no matter what the rules said?

Maybe not. But maybe that's how the world changes, Isaiah. One father, one child, at a time.