Page 70 of Her Sensual Protector

“Can they take my picture?” She pointed to Tahir.

“I think that can be arranged. Let’s get to your home first, okay?”

The little girl’s eyes got wide with enthusiasm. Daisy could see just what a few weeks of extra food had done for her. The difference was amazing. But she still looked like she was no more than three years old, instead of five.

“Will they talk to my brothers and sisters? We can show them our drawings.”

“That would be great. What did you draw?” Leo asked.

“I drew a cat. My brother drew an airplane. My other brother drew a soldier.”

“We would love to see them. Maybe you could draw a flower.” Daisy suggested. Abia looked at her funny.

“What are you trying to say,” Leo asked.

“Flower,” she said in English.

“You said ‘fast’.”

“No wonder she’s looking at me weird. You translate.”

Leo asked the girl if she could draw a flower for Daisy. He explained that Daisy’s name meant flower. Abia clapped and said she would as soon as she got home. Maysa had done an incredible job of making her youngest child feel good about where she was living. Daisy knew it was tougher for the older children who remembered their real home before they had been displaced.

Abia scrambled down as soon as they arrived at their tent, and she found her coveted small notepad. Almost every page was covered with her little drawings.

“Come look,” she Abia to Daisy and Leo. They walked around where Effie was having the cameramen set up. When the young girl showed her artwork, the other children began to bring out their notepads and show their artwork as well. She knew damn well that Effie was having them videotape this entire episode. She hated it, but she understood.

“Daisy, why don’t you come here and interview Maysa,” Effie called out. “Then we can tour the central areas.”

Daisy looked up at Leo who gave her a head tilt. She smiled gratefully, knowing he’d continue with the kids.

It took about an hour with Maysa. She ended up speaking eloquently about the plight of the women who acted as heads of households here in the camp, and why they were especially disadvantaged. They would be a perfect demographic for W.A.N.T.’s donors.

“Okay, now to the central area,” Effie said with a smile. “Thank you so much for your time, Mrs. Saleh. You have been a tremendous help.” When Daisy translated the words, Maysa smiled shyly.

When everybody started to leave the tent, Abia begged her mother to let her go as well.

“No, you’ll be in the way,” Maysa responded.

“It’s all right. She’ll be fine,” Leo lifted her up before Daisy could.

22

It was hotter than it had been the last week in Yemen, and Daisy could feel herself wilting. She looked over at Effie, who wasn’t looking too good. Daisy was going to have to figure out a way to cut this short so that she could get her Director back to the hotel before she passed out. As soon as she thought that, Leo was swapping out her empty water bottle and giving her another one.

“Give it to Effie,” she demurred.

“Already gave her one. We’re going to have to get her out of the sun soon. Let’s get her into the Red Cross tent, then the rest of us can go to the food distribution center.”

Daisy nodded. It was a good idea.

“Hey, we’re going to make our first stop the Red Cross tent, she called out.”

“I’m not sick,” Abia said in Arabic. Apparently, the girl had heard the words Red Cross before. “I don’t want a shot,” her lip began to tremble.

“You’re not going to get a shot, I promise you,” Daisy said.

Abia struggled to get down out of Leo’s arms. “I don’t want a shot. Please don’t make me.” Now she was all-out crying. The tent was a stone’s throw away.