Rifiuto: Non Mirena
Tel Aviv,
Israel
1988
"We are just barely going to reach their terminal in time to pick them up. Zivaleh, dahuf! Axshav! Ziva!"
Without a word, the girl rushed to catch up, dark pigtails bouncing. Finally, they reached the terminal, and the kids watched with wide dark eyes as the passengers exited the terminal. "I do not see them, Eli. How will we know what they look like?"
The boy tugged on his stepmother's sleeve. Her head snapped towards him. "If they are coming from Ireland, Ima, then they will be white."
"Arieh!" The boy winced at his father's tone. "We do not speak of guests that way."
"But if it is true-"
"Abba." Eli turned to the four-year-old holding tight to his hand. He knelt down until he was eye level with the girl.
"What is it, Talia?" The child pointed towards the terminal, and the man turned, straightening in time to watch two young children make their way out of the terminal. Both carried suitcases, and held tight to each other; the fear in their eyes seemed to radiate off their small bodies in waves.
"Is that them, Abba?" The boy asked, as his younger sister cocked her head, watching them. Though only seven, she was exceedingly observant, and found new things fascinating, often keeping quiet so she could absorb everything she was learning. Their father studied the children for a moment, before glancing at his wife.
"I think that might be them."
As he moved through the crowd, towards the boarding area to alert the stewardess, one of the crew came up through the terminal, making her way towards the pair. She held out what appeared to be a stuffed bear, which the boy took, and then gently ran her fingers through the girl's hair. She then directed them towards a waiting area, sitting them down before taking a seat across from them.
"Eli." He turned back to his wife, who nodded towards the scene.
"Ari?" The boy turned to his younger sister. "What is she doing?" He thought a moment, before shaking his head.
"I am not sure." The siblings watched as the stewardess spoke softly with the children, getting basic information from them before taking their passports; she unfolded a sheet of paper that she'd removed from the boy's, and quickly skimmed it, before looking up at the children and then turning to the crowd gathered to greet friends and relatives as they exited the plane.
A moment passed, before the woman stood, gesturing for the children to also stand. She then knelt before them, said something, and then took the boy's hand, leading them through the crowd of people. "Mr. and Mrs. David?" The pair nodded, and the woman seemed to relax. "Good." She glanced down at the children, both of whom had hidden behind her, peering around to stare at the family. "These are the McGee siblings- this is Timothy an' his siste', Sarah. Timothy said that you were goin' t' be lookin' after them?"
"Yes, we have... agreed to take them in until the... violence in their country dies down." Mrs. David replied, peeking around the stewardess to see the children, who'd returned to hiding.
"Good. Then I will leave them in yer care. Their suitcases will be a' baggage claim in 'bout fiftee' minutes." With a soft nod, she handed Timothy the note and then left, leaving the two children with what was now their surrogate family for the time being. Sarah immediately ducked behind her brother. Despite the din of noise and excited greetings, all the two children heard was silence.
"Oh, Eli, they are beautiful." Slowly, his wife knelt down until she was at level with the boy. "Shalom. You must be Timothy. My name is Rivka." The boy watched as she held out a hand; now that Rivka was at level, she saw just how beautiful the boy truly was- green eyes that had, sadly, seen far too much in their short lifetime, beautiful red hair, a smattering of freckles across his pale nose and cheeks. Cautiously, the boy reached out, placing his hand in hers. She gently folded her fingers over his, shaking slowly, a smile spreading over her features. "And this is your sister, Sarah?"
He nodded, pulling the girl closer. It was clear he felt he had to protect her. "Well, it is nice to meet both of you." She turned as her youngest made her way over, and slid an arm around the girl's waist, pulling her closer. "This is my youngest daughter, Talia," She glanced at her other two and then her husband. "My son, Arieh, and my other daughter, Ziva, and my husband, Eli."
The children barely paid attention; their wide green eyes were drinking everything in, from the dark hair to the dark eyes and olive skin-
The younger girl buried her face in her brother's shoulder, clinging to him. Both appeared frightened beyond belief, and really, who could blame them? They'd just spent nearly six hours on a plane out of Ireland, only to come to a strange, foreign land to live with a family of strangers until the violence in their own country died down enough so they could return.
I cannot imagine the terror they are experiencing at the moment. Millions of miles away from home, without their parents, left with strangers... they are braver than I could ever be.
She stood, turning to her husband and children. "Well, shall we take them home and get them settled?" She gave both children a small smile, before holding out a hand to Sarah. Slowly, the girl took it, even when she refused to let go of her brother. Rivka glanced at her husband, and he nodded.
At least this is a start.
As they led the McGee siblings to the baggage claim, their older daughter hung back, falling into step with the boy and his sister. She smiled quickly at him when he glanced at her, and a moment passed before he ducked his head and quickened his pace. Never dismissing a challenge, she kept up, pigtails bouncing as she followed him in her blue overalls and white t-shirt; her red sneakers mere flashes as she walked beside him. It wasn't until they reached the baggage claim that she actually spoke, turning to him.
"I am Ziva."