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“You’re cood Anna, what is it?”

“Um, no, not back to the states houess I should say, my home now”

“Where are you right now? What is going on Anna? Tell ”

“I’m in the hospital mom”

I heard lass crash and break on the kitchen floor and her draet a flight Anna, do you need help? Like can I send you , tell me you’re okay!”

My mom’s hysteria washed over ained control and used the voice I kneould settle her, “Mom, take a breath, I already told you I was okay It happened four days ago and I am way better I walked around the hospital today, underway better Take a breathI am fine!”

She was crying and sniffing and clicking on a keyboard, “Mo?”

“I’ve justin theI have to coirl”

Then she panted as she cliers so I knew she was in her closet

“Mo? Now take three breaths Good Can you listen for a second? Yeah? Okay—first off, Omar can send his plane to pick you up He can send a limo to the house so you don’t have to deal with taxis or any of the airport hassles He can also send people to help you with all the little details Okay? Stop cryingto hyperventilate Okay, that’s better You don’t have to come this second, but yes, I would love it if you could be here with me Do you think you can handle thatapart?”

My mom’s voice was soft, but assured, “Anna, you are my life, you are all I really have Yes, of course I can handle it Please have Omar send the plane and the car as soon as possible I will be ready Or I can just get on that plane in the ”

“No, I want you to fly private and with the help he can provide I’ll call you back as soon as I know a time frame”

“Anna, what happened?” My er than she really was

“I was kidnapped” She gasped and her tears began anew, “It was five days ago I am okay now, or on my way to okay Omar saved me”

“Oh dear lord Anna, I think you should come home immediately You need to be here, safe in the states”