Rosemary Pierre Port-au-Prince Haiti January 12 2010 4 50 p m The bell rang as Rosemary her boyfriend Romules and her 21-year-old cousin Stephanie neared the André Malraux School They felt privileged to be students They looked at attending classes as the doorway to a better life For example Stephanie’s goal was to study medicine and become a doctor Rosemary had no doubt her cousin could achieve this one day After Stephanie’s aunt passed away she moved in with Rosemary’s family Stephanie’s quiet humor brightened the already joyful household and the two cousins quickly became as close as sisters Rosemary and Romules paused at the gate hoping they might settle their argument before Rosemary went into the school Hurry we still have a few minutes to study with the others Stephanie called to them as she rushed toward the front door of the two-story schoolhouse You’ll make
yourself late standing out here to bicker National college entrance exams were coming soon and many students gathered in a classroom before regular classes to take advantage of every spare moment of study time I’ll be right in Rosemary replied It should only take a minute to convince this stubborn boy why I am right and he is wrong Or I’ll pretend to agree quickly so you can get to class Romules huffed Stephanie paused at the door and looked back at them both I’m not sure which of you is more stubborn she said smiling and shaking her head Then she turned and hurried into the school
Allison Insley-Madsen Port-au-Prince Haiti January 12 2010 4 50 p m Allison sat on the exam table at her doctor’s office Her 6-year-old son Jack sat in a nearby chair playing a game She hadn’t planned to see the doctor this afternoon but Dr Maggie had insisted she come in to have a facial rash treated Accompanied by her bodyguard Lamarre Allison had changed course from a trip to the grocery store and headed toward the doctor’s office instead Allison’s family employed staff to protect them because of the high crime rates in and around the city Despite her hopes for Haiti’s future she knew kidnappings and murders were far too common Allison had been in Haiti for several years She came first in the spring of 1996 serving as a U S diplomat Just one day after arriving in Haiti she met her future husband Although she left briefly to take a post in Paris she returned married and settled in as a stay-at-home mother to their son Jack
Your new building looks great Allison said glancing around the newly finished office on the second floor of the four-story structure Thank you My husband does nice work Dr Maggie replied Her husband a French architect had designed the building Now you can lie back We’ll cover your eyes and start the treatment Allison settled back onto the table shut her eyes and allowed herself to relax
