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I frown The less said about that, the better "I was surprised to see Ann I’d forgotten that she worked with you"

"Yes That’s hoe ot really interested in it, too"

"Is she also a war refugee?"

Jenna nods "Yes Fro to Kenya beforeit to the US"

I think about that as we continue to drive "And Raul? Where is he from?"

"Honduras His mom was killed on their journey here, which was almost completely on foot, all the way up from Central America It was horrible"

I picture Ann and Raul and their fales or across deserts to find safety, and I’m suddenly sad that others have been born into such unfortunate situations Like Jenna, for exaine she saw more death and horror in the first five years of her life than I’ve ever seen--movies included I realize how lucky I aees fro under similar circumstances

"What was your journey like?" I ask

"Huh? Oh, you oslavia?"

"Yes, was it like that? On foot?"

She pauses for a lances out the"No, ere put on a truck in Sarajevo--reb in Croatia There was a checkpoint along the way, and…" She shudders and shakes her head "Anyway, it was not like Raul’s at all We had soreb and stayed there until we could fly to A her story and soh, I don’t think that she’s as lucky as she feels she is I just think she’s strong Incredibly strong

And beautiful--not just on the outside, but all the way to the core of what makes her her Jenna helps people and she’s compassionate…it doesn’t take a professional artist to appreciate that beauty

I hope that in proving my worthiness, I’ll win her over and she’ll want to stay Because the ood

But now hts shift as we pull into the enoruests A weight drops intofast And though it’s not even close to what Jenna has endured, I’ some of my own childhood horrors

Chapter 17

Jenna

We opted out of taking the crowded tra structure This way, as alked, our transition would be radual, less likely to induce anxiety Fortunately, there were fewer people as it was the middle of the week in April, and the park was not near as busy as it could be in high season

But Williaet his mind off of his fears "So how come your dad and Adam call you ‘Liam’? You don’t seem to like it much"

"It’s a family nickname"

"Ah, family only?"

"Fa They’re used to it But I prefer William"