Epilogue
A few weeks after Antonia Negrescu arrived home in Bucharest, a small package arrived for her, sent through the Romanian embassy in the United States. Her father received it in her behalf and was surprised to discover that it contained a small silver bracelet with turquoise stones and a note, written in Romanian. The note read:
"Happy belated birthday, Antonia! I am sorry that your visit to the United States was so short. I hope that you will be able to visit us again soon. Your friend, Francine."
When Mihail Negrescu gave the bracelet to his daughter and asked who Francine was, Antonia laughed and said, "I guess I do have a friend in America."
Two years later, the end of the Cold War was a reality. In the autumn of 1989, a series of revolutions toppled the leaders of Eastern Bloc nations. New governments took their places, and the Berlin Wall came down. Romania finally held its long-awaited revolution, and its former Communist leader was executed at Christmas.
Lee Stetson watched the news reports on television at home with his wife and one of their two boys.
"I didn't think they would let him live," Lee said. "What a way to celebrate the holiday."
"But, you're not sorry, are you?" Philip asked.
Jamie wasn't there. He'd gone down the street to visit Antonia and was no doubt watching the news with her family. Anton had already told Lee that he wasn't planning to return to Romania permanently. He and his family had lived in the United States for so long that it was the only home Antonia could remember, although he thought that he might like to take her to visit someday, when things calmed down, so that she could see where she had come from.
"Not really," Lee admitted. "This change has been coming for a long time, and I think things will be better this way."
He looked at Amanda, who held their infant daughter. She had come as a surprise, but she was a welcome one. Lee didn't know what the future held for her, but it seemed that she was going to grow up in a world without a Cold War. Perhaps other problems would arise in the future, but for the moment, they could enjoy the change.
The End
Happy Halloween!
