Page 38 of Keeping Amanda
“That’s Nash. He’s one of the helicopter pilots who came to save us all.”
“I’m so sorry I told you James was missing,” Michael said miserably.
Amanda hugged him tightly. “It’s okay. I love that you were looking out for everyone.”
“But I made you miss the helicopter!” he said, tears forming in his eyes.
“Look at me, Michael. Everyone, listen. Are you listening?”
A bunch of little heads bobbed up and down.
“I’m okay. I survived. That’s the important thing. I would much rather have gone through what I did because you were concerned about your fellow students, than to not have experienced it and left someone behind. You did the right thing, Michael. And I’m proud of you. I’m so proud ofallof you.”
“All right, everyone, break is over. We’re so glad to have Miss Mandy back, but it’s time to return to class. Let’s give her a little space. You’ll see her later, after lessons are over,” Blair called out.
Looking over to where she’d been standing, Amanda no longer saw Bibi. She assumed one of the other teachers had already taken her back into the classroom. She was disappointed; Bibi was one of her favorite children. She’d taken an immediate liking to Amanda, and had become one of her constant companions since her arrival at the orphanage.
The kids started making their way back to their classrooms, but Michael walked over to Nash and stuck out his hand. “Thank you for keeping Miss Mandy safe and bringing her back.”
Nash shook the boy’s hand solemnly. “She kept me safe too. We worked as a team.”
Michael looked a little surprised, then nodded. “Yeah, she’s pretty cool,” he said. Then he turned and ran back toward the school, joining his friends and classmates.
After the children were gone, Blair walked over. “It’s good to have you back.”
Amanda was surprised at the somewhat chilly reception from the founder. They’d never been super close, but they’d still shared quite a few quiet evenings together, talking about the kids, the mission of the program, and what Blair hoped to achieve in the future.
Blair had opened up in regard to what she missed the most about living in the US, and how eventually her plans were to return. She’d even admitted that she might consider adopting one or two orphans, but never mentioned any specific children.
But the woman who’d indulged in those intimate late-night chats didn’t seem like the same one standing in front of Amanda right now, speaking in a flat tone. She seemed almost…annoyed? Which made no sense.
“I’m assuming you’ll want to get cleaned up. I won’t keep you. The authorities will also want to talk to you about your ordeal. Get your statement. I’ll call them and make sure they know you’re back.” She turned to Nash. “Your friend will also be informed that you’ve returned. He hasn’t left. He’s waiting at the nearby base for some word of your whereabouts. I’m sure you’ll want to join him as soon as you can. I’ll arrange transportation for you.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
“Your things are in the storage room,” Blair told Amanda. “I’m sorry, but we didn’t know if you’d be back, and it was…distressing for everyone to see your things in your room. So we moved them.”
Amanda was taken aback. She hadn’t been gonethatlong. And she couldn’t deny that it hurt…the assumption that she wouldn’t make it back.
Well, without Nash, that probably would’ve been her fate.
“Mandy will be coming with me to the base,” Nash told Blair.
Mandy looked over at him in surprise. She was?
“Because this op was sanctioned by the vice president himself, she’ll need to explain her side of what happened as soon as possible. It’ll be less disruptive for the children if we do that away from here. I’m sure they wouldn’t be comfortable seeing all the police and military personnel coming in and out to talk to Mandy.”
“You are correct, that’s probably best. And that dog won’t be allowed to stay anyway. It probably has a hundred different diseases. It’s not healthy to have around the children,” Blair said, looking at the dog with disdain. “I have work to see to. I’m glad you’re back, Amanda. Come find me when you return, and we’ll discuss where we stand with your volunteer agreement, and what duties you’ll take on until it’s time for you to return home.”
With that, Blair turned and walked toward the school.
Amanda could only stare at her in surprise.
“Wow. That was…interesting,” Nash said.
Amanda nodded. “Something’s wrong. She’s never acted like that toward me before.”
“Maybe she’s overwhelmed.”
