The Foreign Service Journal, September 2008

50 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 8 the small child’s body into her arms as Gina cried — great, heaving sobs shook her body. Linda held her, rocking slightly. Her own tears fell silently onto Gina’s blond hair. Gina cried on and on, let- ting out all the hurt and pain and fear that had been boiling inside of her since her mother’s death. Finally, after a long while, Linda felt the child’s cries slowing. Linda continued to hold her in a cocoon of warmth. Finally, she pulled away and looked Gina in the face, gently wiping away the tears that stained her pink cheeks. The child’s eyelashes stuck together, her blue eyes still swimming in a pool of tears. “I am so sorry, Gina,” Linda said softly but evenly, conviction threading her voice. “But I can promise you this — I swear to you. I am here. I will take care of you. Nothing will happen to you while I am here. And I love you, Gina. I love you so much. We will make this work — together. I promise you that.” Gina stared at her, hiccupping softly. Linda gave her a tentative smile. “I might need some help with this, but I will do the absolute best I can. Will you help me? I think I can do a good job, if you’ll be there holding my hand, too. OK?” Linda asked. Gina smiled softly, and nodded her head. “A-OK,” she replied faint- ly. Linda drew her into another fierce hug. “A-OK,” Linda repeated, stand- ing. “Why don’t you go wash your face and let’s go out for a hamburger and some of the best ice cream you’ll ever taste?” Gina walked to the bathroom, and Linda could hear the tap running. Maybe, she thought, as she turned into her own bedroom, they would take a walk on the beach afterwards, and watch the sun set with warm sea water running over their feet. Or maybe not — we’ll just see how things go. Linda felt suddenly lighter than she had for several days. She ran a brush through her hair, and then turned to go out with Gina — not even glancing at her bed with its cool, fresh, white sheets. n The child’s eyelashes stuck together, her blue eyes still swimming in a pool of tears.