- A SHORT STORY-
"Are you girls all packed?" Mom asked.
"Yes we are" said the older girl.
"I still see your sister's favorite toy - put it in her backpack for me please", said Mom, while trying to rummage through a huge binder, frantically racing against time, to sort through and put away some important documents into her carry-on bag.
"She doesn't need it. Anyway we'll be back soon right?" asked the girl as she walked towards her own backpack. Mom ignored her, something not typical of her.
The girl stood still for a moment. She came back and posed the question once again, softly, yet firmly - "We'll be back soon, won't we?". She needed an answer, and was not going to be ignored.
Mom led her into the next room, out of earshot of the younger one, who seemed to be oblivious to the conversation, rocking away to the music from her player, that seemed to fill her young spirit. In the chamber where the little one was sitting, her brand of music filled the room, making the place feel warm and lively.
As Mom and the older girl stepped through the ornately carved entrance adjoining the next chamber, the silence of that chamber made that place feel cold, even though it was warm.
"We may not be back" in a firm yet soft tone, said Mom facing her daughter, her hands on the daughter's shoulders, looking at the child soothingly - trying to hide the storm of uncertainty that was going through her mind behind a gentle veil.
"You know, all the things going on for Dad, well we're not sure if he'll get to.., get to.. stay on", she said trying to find the right words. "I know you girls love this city, but we may have to go back home", she said and sighed softly, having delivered the message and held her daughter close to her heart, hugging her, reassurance in that hug. "Don't you girls love it to be back with Nana. And you can be back with all of your old friends", she tried to explain.
Realization dawned on those young shoulders, which were slightly slumped now, unsure how to take the news. For now, it seemed to quieten her. Finally, she looked up, her arms still tightly embracing Mom, a glint of a tear in her eyes, "But Mom, how about school? Are you going to change our schools? Do we have to go to a new school? I'm not even sure all my old friends in our city are there anymore or if they'll talk to me, after all this."
"Well, I said we may 'have to'. It's not decided yet, .. ok? Why don't we cross that bridge when we get there? And we'll tell your sister at that time, not right now -- she's too small now to understand. Isn't she? So, let's keep this between you and me for now. Ok, my sweetheart? We have to get going now I think - Let's finish packing up". She kissed her daughter and slowly walked back to resume the job she was on.
The older one nodded and quietly helped pack her sister's backpack, putting that favorite toy in, deep in thought.
There was a knock on the door.
"Come in", said Mom.
"Ma'am, we're ready to leave" said the man at the door.
"Let's go" said the First lady, the familiar brilliant smile back on her face. Holding both her daughters' tender palms firmly in either hand, she walked out the door, not daring turn around and look back.
Her fate now lay in the hands of millions of citizens outside that door.
- A SHORT STORY -
- Written Nov 6, 2012 - Presidential Elections, USA.
"Are you girls all packed?" Mom asked.
"Yes we are" said the older girl.
"I still see your sister's favorite toy - put it in her backpack for me please", said Mom, while trying to rummage through a huge binder, frantically racing against time, to sort through and put away some important documents into her carry-on bag.
"She doesn't need it. Anyway we'll be back soon right?" asked the girl as she walked towards her own backpack. Mom ignored her, something not typical of her.
The girl stood still for a moment. She came back and posed the question once again, softly, yet firmly - "We'll be back soon, won't we?". She needed an answer, and was not going to be ignored.
Mom led her into the next room, out of earshot of the younger one, who seemed to be oblivious to the conversation, rocking away to the music from her player, that seemed to fill her young spirit. In the chamber where the little one was sitting, her brand of music filled the room, making the place feel warm and lively.
As Mom and the older girl stepped through the ornately carved entrance adjoining the next chamber, the silence of that chamber made that place feel cold, even though it was warm.
"We may not be back" in a firm yet soft tone, said Mom facing her daughter, her hands on the daughter's shoulders, looking at the child soothingly - trying to hide the storm of uncertainty that was going through her mind behind a gentle veil.
"You know, all the things going on for Dad, well we're not sure if he'll get to.., get to.. stay on", she said trying to find the right words. "I know you girls love this city, but we may have to go back home", she said and sighed softly, having delivered the message and held her daughter close to her heart, hugging her, reassurance in that hug. "Don't you girls love it to be back with Nana. And you can be back with all of your old friends", she tried to explain.
Realization dawned on those young shoulders, which were slightly slumped now, unsure how to take the news. For now, it seemed to quieten her. Finally, she looked up, her arms still tightly embracing Mom, a glint of a tear in her eyes, "But Mom, how about school? Are you going to change our schools? Do we have to go to a new school? I'm not even sure all my old friends in our city are there anymore or if they'll talk to me, after all this."
"Well, I said we may 'have to'. It's not decided yet, .. ok? Why don't we cross that bridge when we get there? And we'll tell your sister at that time, not right now -- she's too small now to understand. Isn't she? So, let's keep this between you and me for now. Ok, my sweetheart? We have to get going now I think - Let's finish packing up". She kissed her daughter and slowly walked back to resume the job she was on.
The older one nodded and quietly helped pack her sister's backpack, putting that favorite toy in, deep in thought.
There was a knock on the door.
"Come in", said Mom.
"Ma'am, we're ready to leave" said the man at the door.
"Let's go" said the First lady, the familiar brilliant smile back on her face. Holding both her daughters' tender palms firmly in either hand, she walked out the door, not daring turn around and look back.
Her fate now lay in the hands of millions of citizens outside that door.
- A SHORT STORY -
- Written Nov 6, 2012 - Presidential Elections, USA.
