Robert Asprin – Tambu

“Didn’t mean to be melodramatic,” he apologized. “It’s just that it’s been a rough decision to make. I didn’t want to-I’m doing it again.”

He ran a hand through his hair, then raised his gaze to look her squarely in the eye.

“You see, I’ve decided to retire. I’m going to step down as head of the fleet.”

Ramona stared at him, started to speak, then sank down in a chair shaking her head.

“I-I’m sorry, love,” she managed at last. “You caught me off guard. This is kind of sudden.”

“Not for me,” Tambu proclaimed grimly. “It’s been on my mind for a long time now.”

“Then you’re serious?” Ramona asked incredulously, still trying to deal with his statement in her own mind. “You’re really going to retire?”

He nodded slowly.

“I’ve got to. I’ve been seesawing back and forth for years, but now I don’t even think I’ve got a choice anymore.”

There was something in the tone of his voice–something new. Her shock at his decision was swept aside by a wave of concern for his well-being.

“Do you want to talk about it?” she offered gently.

For several moments he didn’t respond; then he turned back to her with a sigh..

“I suppose I should. A lot of people are going to be asking a lot of questions when I make my decision public. I might as well get some practice explaining in advance.”

He lapsed into silence again, frowning and pursing his lips. Ramona waited patiently.

“You know, it’s funny,” he said at last with a nervous smile. “I’ve been thinking about this so long, I could go through the problem in my sleep, but now that I’ve got to verbalize it, I don’t know where to start.”