“Oui.” Clare looks over her notes written in French. I’m only able to make out a few of the words. “Sanaa escaped a month ago with her two children. She can’t believe Suad made it this far. She thinks it’s possible neighbors carried the little girl out before they were separated.”
We didn’t get much information on the children when they arrived. As soon as I’d said we could take some, Marguerite had sent a van holding our ten. It had happened so quickly, I’d barely had time to find a location and hire Clare.
“You remember what it was like when they arrived,” I say quietly.
“What’s wrong?” Zelda walks into the foyer where we’re standing, Belle on her hip.
I quickly explain the situation, and her brow lines. “It doesn’t make sense to keep out women and children.”
“We don’t know if one of them might be a suicide bomber,” Clare argues. “I’m not against these decisions… except when it impacts us.”
I give her forearm a squeeze. “I’ll make a call. I’m sure we can get an exception for Suad.” I’m encouraged by the thought of the pretty little girl reunited with her family. “Any luck with the others?”
“We’re still working,” Clare says, showing me her notes. “I’m afraid some of the children might be all alone.”
Chewing my lip, I meet my sister’s eyes. She’s not smiling, and I rub my hand up and down Belle’s back.
“It’s possible we can find people to adopt them.” I follow Clare to the kitchen where Rashida is slicing a baguette to go with their lunches. “What became of Taimaa’s family?”
“That is good news, majesté!” Clare’s face brightens. “They are close by, in France. They are preparing to come and get her in a few days.”
“You checked their papers?”
“Oh yes, Monsieur Arnaud helped to verify their identity. They are very excited to see her again.”
“Good,” I say. “If Freddie says they’re okay, then she’s safe to go with them.”
“I must go and call the children to lunch. Please, show your sister around the home.” Clare holds out her hand. “It was so nice to meet you Miss Zelda.”
Zee shakes her hand. Rashida hands a slice of baguette to Belle, who sticks it in her mouth as we walk out of the kitchen.
“It must be infuriating to deal with such ignorance and isolationism,” Zee says under her breath. She’s angry, and she’s a mother. I understand her frustration.
“Nice was so close to where we are,” I counter. “It feels like the danger is right at the door when something like that happens. People get scared.”
“But to punish little children? To keep them away from safety and their families? That isn’t right, Ava-bug.”
“I know,” I sigh. “Still, you have to think of the citizens who have children and want to keep them safe. They have rights, too.”
My sister’s brows clutch. “Closing doors and shutting others out only creates more fear. We have to get to know each other. The more time we spend with them, the more we see how much we all have in common. We all want our children to be safe, to have good homes, and to be healthy.”
I start to laugh. “When are you planning to move back here? I could use your help, and I know Rowan misses Cal.”
She only shakes her head. “No thank you. We’re very happy on our little island.”
“Who’s the isolationist now?”
Zee cuts her eyes at me, but I only raise an eyebrow. It’s difficult to throw stones from thousands of miles away. We continue through the small bedrooms. I show her the cubbies where the group keeps their toys. I show her the donations of clothes and shoes Clare has sorted. We’re back to the entrance, and I’m ready to go when Clare stops me.
“Majesté! One more came through!” She’s really smiling now. She’s holding the phone to her ear, but she turns the sheet so I can see what she’s written on it.
Beside the name Aylan, she has written Nour, Mère.
Heat fills my eyes, and I smile so big. “You found his mother!”
Clare nods quickly, putting her hand over the phone. “I’m having her send me a copy of his birth certificate. I’ll email it to Monsieur Freddie. She is in Italy, so she can be here as soon as tomorrow.”
“She’s in Italy! And they sent him here.” The irony is not lost. I step forward and give Clare a hug. “I’m so happy. Thank you.”