26Nora
The evening of my arrival home is a nonstop stream of crying, hugs, and questions about what happened and how I managed to come back.
I tell my parents as much of the truth as I can, explaining about the plane crash in Uzbekistan and Julian’s subsequent capture by the terrorist group he’s been fighting. As I speak, I can see them battling shock and disbelief. Terrorists and planes downed by missiles are so far outside of the normal paradigm of their lives that I know it’s hard for them to process. It was difficult for me once, too.
“Oh, Nora, honey…” My mom’s voice is soft and sympathetic. “I’m so sorry—I know you loved him, despite everything. Do you know what’s going to happen now?”
I shake my head, trying to avoid looking at my dad. He thinks this is a good development; I can
