face Yeah well don’t forget my face is your face Anara retorted Anara and Samal were identical twins so whenever one of them criticized the other’s looks that was their favorite comeback Anara looked at Mom It was some guy named Dr Williamson from UNESCO He asked you to call him back as soon as possible Mom sighed Thanks babe I’ll call him back when we get home Mom worked for UNESCO the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization The agency was part of the UN Mom’s job involved making sure different cultural and natural sites around the world were maintained properly Once they’d parked Anara Samal and Oliver flew up the three flights of stairs to their two-bedroom apartment It was crammed but cozy It never took long for the feeding frenzy to begin Practically every day it was the same scene Ollie curled up on the couch with a bag of pretzels Samal had a huge bowl of cereal with almond milk and Anara made herself a vanilla milkshake and peanut butter toast After they ate the twins watched their favorite cooking show They were addicted to the Food Network Ollie the history buff was playing a game on Mom’s iPad When Mom came out from her study looking totally frazzled none of the kids even noticed Guys Silence GUYS Mom was not a yeller so Samal asked Who was that You were making such a weird everyone knew something was up when she raised her voice Anara paused the show and Ollie took his headphones off Yes Mom
Let’s sit at the kitchen table please I am freaking out a little bit Samal would you put the kettle on I could use a cup of chamomile tea The kids quickly joined Mom at the small round table in front of the window So here’s the story Dr Williamson called because the leader of the UNESCO team that was heading to Egypt next week needs emergency surgery He knows I regularly lead this type of team Can’t we just stay at Dad’s like we usually do when you go away Ollie suggested Mom ruffled his hair I texted him and he has a conference that week But Dr Williamson really doesn’t have another person who can go Anara suggested asking their grandmother Vovó Mom said it was too late to call tonight since she lived in Helsinki Finland which is seven hours ahead of New York time The next afternoon when the kids hopped into the car Mom didn’t look happy Vovó can’t meet up with us she said grimly She’s traveling to London that week with a few friends from high school I can’t entertain you all day in Egypt while I’m working I’m at my wit’s end What are we going to do
Chapter Two Plan B and Passport Problems It was Oliver who had the next brainwave Do you know anyone in Egypt Mom he asked Anara and Samal rolled their eyes at each other believing it was a dumb question Thinking really hard Mom scrunched up her face You know what Ollie I actually do know someone there A suitemate of mine from college Allison lives in Cairo with her family We keep in touch on Facebook now and then You know how people always say Let me know if you ever make it here I’ll give it a try Mom disappeared into her office A few minutes later she came out smiling Allison happened to be online when I emailed her She offered to host you guys while I work What about school Mom The school year practically just started There are no vacations in October Can we really miss two or three weeks of classes Samal asked the questions but Anara was worried too
