The Peacock 1456

It would be better if everyone were under the same roof", says Melissa. "But not everyone still wants to live together", says Carl, "And much less in the big house. I don't want to live there. Not any more." "But Carl", she says in her Asperger's monotone, "How could you possibly prefer living here?" "I like living with Chris. I like living with Francois. And I might even forgo the house in New west and let everyone else live there instead." "Are you serious?" say I. "Provided I will not be in the way of your little brother-in-law", and yes I hear in his tone both hurt and jealousy. "Carl, you will not be at all in the way. I was hoping, as a matter of fact, that you would go on living here with me. With us, I mean." "And by the way, little sister. What's this I hear just now about possibly preferring to live here. I happen to like small places. I have never felt so normal and human scale since coming here." Naomi speakes up, "Excuse me for cutting in, but we still haven't finished the subject about the mansion." Now all eyes are on her. Her light brown skin and dark hair contrast beautifully with the pale pink of her T shirt. "According to Grandfather Elliot, there is one person we need to talk to before any concrete decision can be made as to the future of the house. There is this gentleman, now in his eighties, who has been around the area since the late sixties or so. When he was a young man, he lived with some others in the house." "His name wouldn't happen to be Cosme", say I...