She Came From The Sky
Lyda Mae (RavenDove) Huff
Chapter Three
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Hira had thought about Boomer's words on the bus ride home. She had thought long and hard about her life. Allah has a reason for everything, was her continued living in this world not a part of his plan? Was this her chance at redemption?
She was uncertain but she had agreed to start school at the first of the week.
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"You're right about the denim skirt Nan," Hira said to her adopted aunt, "but I'm still not so sure about blouse." Hira was wearing an ankle length black and gray denim skirt with an artistically frayed hem, and a form fitting pink blouse with long sleeves that buttoned and folded back at the cuffs. "It leaves... too little to the imagination."
Nancy Skousen smiled into the full length mirror from behind Hira's wheelchair as she finished securing the girl's hair. "Once you put on the longer hijab you'd planned on wearing only your sleeves should show."
Nancy helped Hira put the two pieces of the hijab over her head and she leaned forward so that it could be straightened down her back. It was black with navy beading and fringed. It came down to a point in her lap, but only covered the upper half of her arms. It had been a gift from a Somali woman who's family attended the same Mosque as she did.
The Mosque had a congregation that came from all the corners of Islam. The women ranged from simple scarf wearers to elaborate Burqa wearers. Most were very accepting and followed a from of Islam that was opened to mixing of cultures. They had even held some joint services with a local Synagogue the previous Ramadan.
Hira sat up straight and arranged the hajab over herself, checking just how much of the blouse really showed. "I think it will be acceptable Nan." She turned her chair and accepted the lap blanket that Nancy handed her. "I'm still not certain this is the right thing to do."
Nancy looked into Hira's dark eyes with her own green ones. "Just give it a chance Liption." Nancy was the child of German emigrants and had taken to using the Deutch endearment that her own mother had used when referring to Hira in their private moments. "I have your lunch all ready and packed in your book bag. I can still walk you to the bus stop."
"I appreciate that Nan, but a girl in this country must be independent." She placed her hands on the wheels of her chair and began the task of wheeling out of the house.
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