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What if he was out slaughtering innocents with ue and plead their cases I struggled with the reality of the situation I arring with myself as I continued to study America’s in depth justice system, and my desire to return to Omar

I felt split down theless than to be in Oe hiht be rebels?

Julie and I discussed it too, and she seemed to lean more towards Omar’s side and the apparent need to rid the planet of insane terrorists So, I let it go and decided that as right in my home country wasn’t correct in Omar’s

I went ho and my dad joined us for a private dinner at home Mom and I cooked all week in preparation and it was nice to sit at a table with just the three of us We chatted conversationally and my dad even turned off his phone He and mom seemed closer than I re to change

But then he asked, “Anna, I’ve been thinking about it and I want you to come back and work for ive it another shot?”

“Dad, I’ Omar after he quashes the rebellion”

“Anna, they will never be finished They love to war There will be one after another of these uprisings Trust , it will never be over They are an uncivilized lot If you ask me I think we should just bomb the whole place and be done with them”

I was shocked at his attitude I’d made so many new friends and I felt very close to Oun to think more like they were my people, and less as if I were a visitor

“Um dad, I’m offended Sorry, but did you not hearhirandfather to his children”

My dad sort of scoffed, “Thank god you didn’t alreadythe boundaries of my patience Trust h with the wholenow that he’s had you”

I was growing ever angrier at norance, “Do you hear yourself? You sound like all the other fear anda What is different about the rebels in Arabia versus thea sioes by when the news isn’t showing another death fro or a drive by A random child is killed, or an innocent civilian It’s no different over there There will always be danger, everywhere”

I was in full on debateto clear the table and muttered, “Do we have to have this discussion now? It’s supposed to be a day of thankfulness”

“Melinda, it’s too late Our attorney daughter has thron the gauntlet” My dad declared He loved to debate and I was not about to shrink away now

“Yeah mom, too late I’m fu

cking pissed off that dad would talk about my fiancé that way”