Darn she said aloud starting on Dad’s present How did she go through all that tape already She headed down the stairs 8
Just as she grabbed the tape from the dresser in the hall two things happened The kitchen timer dinged lace cookies and the doorbell rang The oven door clanged as Mom pulled out the cookies Then Mom dashed into the hall Oh good Mads you’re here Mom said Can you take the cookies off the baking sheet I need to get the door Sure As Maddy transferred the cookies to a rack she listened Mom was talking with someone at the front door 9
From Syria Oh my goodness she heard Mom say They’ve been in a transition home for a few months said a voice Maddy recognized it as Meredith’s a neighbor across the street They’re living with us until their home is ready Maddy heard more snippets War refugee escape She shivered despite the heat from the oven The conversation went on Mom loved to chat It was one of the many differences between her and Maddy Then she heard Mom say her name 10
My daughter Maddy is nine How old are you I’m nine too said a new voice A younger one Maddy paused spatula mid-air She knew what was coming Let me introduce you Mom said Maddy felt a pit in her stomach It wasn’t that she was unfriendly It just took Maddy a while to feel comfortable around new people Grown-ups assumed that because you’re the same age as someone you’d be best friends 11
