Marjan’s P.O.V

September of 2004

“Hey, Minnie. Don’t you feel excited for tomorrow? We’re finally going to school!” I asked as we were lying opposite of each other on the grass under a big old tree in the orphanage’s open area, our heads resting on each other’s shoulder.

Mina kept silent for awhile before sighing deeply and answered “I do. But…wouldn’t be great if our Moms and Dads were also here? Then they would take us to school and kiss us goodbye, then after the school ended, they’d come to pick us up and ask about our first day in school, then we could all have a happy dinner together and when we finally went to bed, they’d come to turn off the lights and kiss us goodnight and wish us sweet dreams and…and…” she couldn’t continue because of the lump in and choked on her words. Not too long after that, I felt some wetness on my shoulder and turned my head towards her to see her silently crying.

I quickly sat and she did too while trying to wipe away her tears that were still flowing out. “Mina! Are you crying?” I asked more like a statement and scooted closer to take her hands.

“Don’t you miss them, Marjan? Don’t you want to have them with you? Don’t you want them taking you to school and all?”  she said, her cries getting louder by the time. I tried so hard not to let my tears fall as I pulled her to myself and hugged her tightly. I didn’t want her to see my tears; although Mina was older than me by a month or so, but