“Thirty minutes,” Khalid responds. “Just need to pack some supplies for the journey.”
Everything happens quickly after that. Fatima helps Lois to her tent to pack her things. Dr. Akkhad prepares medications and written instructions. Ahmed checks the vehicle, ensures everything is ready for a medical transport.
I follow Lois into the tent, Ella still on my hip.
“I’m so sorry,” Lois says for the tenth time, moving slowly as she gathers her belongings. “I’ve ruined everything.”
“You haven’t ruined anything. You’re sick. That’s not your fault.”
“But Ella?—”
“I’ll figure it out.”
“Georgia, you can’t work and watch her at the same time. It’s impossible.”
“Then I’ll do the impossible.” I try to sound confident, but my voice wavers. “You just focus on getting better, okay? That’s all I need from you.”
Lois sits on the edge of the cot, looking exhausted and guilty. “What will you do?”
“I don’t know yet.” I shift Ella to my other hip. She’s getting heavy, and my arms are already tired. “But I’ll figure something out. I always do.”
Except I don’t know if that’s true this time.
Too soon, Ahmed is ready to leave. We all gather to see them off, but Lois doesn’t hug me or Ella—can’t, as she may get us sick. Assuming she hasn’t already passed it to us.
It breaks my heart to not hug her goodbye, and I just know her tears are because she doesn’t get to kiss Ella.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” she promises.
“Take all the time you need. Really. Your health comes first.”
She waves goodbye to Ella, and the little girl waves bye-bye back without understanding the significance. Then they’re gone, the SUV disappearing into the desert in a cloud of dust.
“Well,” Edmond says kindly, “I suppose we should discuss new plans.”
We reconvene in the dining tent. Someone has made tea. Probably Fatima, who seems to solve every problem with food or beverages. I accept a cup gratefully and settle Ella on my lap.
“Obviously, this changes things,” Calvin says, standing at the head of the table like we’re in a boardroom, not a tent in the middle of nowhere. “We need to discuss options.”
“What options?” I ask, though I’m afraid I know where this is going.
“Well, we could…” He pauses, glancing at Ella. “We’ll hire someone from the city. A nanny. Someone qualified to watch children.”
“No.”
He stares at me like I’ve spoken another language. “Georgia.”
“I said no.” My voice is firm. “I’m not leaving my daughter with a stranger. Especially not out here.”
“It wouldn’t be out here. We could arrange accommodation in the city?—”
“Absolutely not. I’m not sending my fourteen-month-old to stay in a hotel with someone I’ve never met. That’s non-negotiable.”
Is he insane? What on earth makes him think I would do such a thing?!
Calvin’s jaw tightens. “Then what do you propose?”
“I’ll keep her with me while I work.”
