Come Back To Me

by Melissa Foster

“Yes, but she’d secretly welcome it,” Beau said.

  “Would not!” They’d become as close as siblings and teased each other as such. Samira had quickly become fairly proficient with the English language. She seemed a reborn person to Beau. He attributed her newfound confidence to the fresh, unrepressed environment of living with the Fulans, who encouraged her to take English as a Second Language classes and who provided a supportive family life. The filing clerk job Mr. Fulan had given her had also given her purpose and a chance to practice her new language skills. Ten hours per week were just enough for her to feel as though she contributed to the wellbeing of her family.

  When Mr. Fulan had told Beau that Samira had found his camera and he’d been able to salvage his photographs, Beau had refused to have them published. They were a hurtful reminder of the loss of Tess. It had taken his mother four months of pushing and begging for him to look at the touching photographs. When he had finally relented, the images jumped off the page: Iraqi families standing with the American soldiers who remained in their country protecting them, becoming one community rather than a world of “we” and “them.” Carol’s words rang true for days afterward, Tess would want you to share this with the world. Tess would have wanted. Beau would never forgive himself for following his dream. He’d never accept the dismissal of blame from the others, but his mother was right. Tess would never have walked away from a chance to show the world that good came from something difficult. She was never one to shy away from a challenge. He’d finally relented, agreeing to publish the photos in memoriam of Tess. The photographs were to be released the next day, all monetary proceeds to be given to the underground organization that helped women escape Honor Killings and other abuses and threats to their lives.

  Edham and Athra decorated cookies at the kitchen table with Carol. Alice glowed as she showed Robert the new sparkling diamond ring on her left finger—classic cut, of course. Kevin hung back and watched, relishing the thought that he was soon to be part of the Sacred Club of Married Men.

  Beau stood back from them all, watching, and tracing the letter “I”, the shape of a heart, and the letter “U” in his palm.

  Acknowledgments

  The idea for the story within these pages came to me while I was running down State Highway in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, just months before my husband was scheduled to leave for a tour in Iraq. The story evolved as I wrote, and the Iraqi women became very important characters. I hope that I did them justice. I verified the Arabic terms used and the clothing and mannerisms portrayed with soldiers who spent time in Iraq and with the Iraqi civilians who worked with them. Many provided answers through others, sometimes in passing, during conversations in the medical facility on base. Unfortunately, those who passed on the information hadn’t realized that names were important for acknowledgments. For all of those who reached out and took the time to research and guide me from afar, thank you. This book could not have come to light without your efforts. I’d be remiss if I did not also thank Hadear Kandil, a woman I’ve never met and with whom I’ve only tweeted. She was kind enough to answer my terminology questions when she had no idea who I was.

  There are so many people who have stood by my side during these past few years as I’ve grown as a writer, and I hope I do not miss mentioning anyone. In case I do, I hope you know me well enough to realize that you are in my heart, and I deeply appreciate you all.

  My mind often works faster than my fingers, and my good friend and editor, Dominique Agnew, is always there to make me look good. Thank you, Dominique. Many thanks to Christine Von Ditter, a formatting genius, and to Frauke Spanuth, my amazing cover designer. A special thank you to my incredibly supportive literary agent, Jenny Bent. To my beta readers and the women on The Women’s Nest, who never fail to amaze me with their unending support and willingness to help me work through scenes, listen to me gripe, and not get turned off when my days are filled with word counts and discovering new adjectives. Thank you, Pat, Deb, Paula, Gina, Clare, Jessie, Jackie, Kian, Nel, MaryAnn, DJo, Syl, Jan, and all the other Nest sisters. Thank you, Clare Karsteadt and Kian Vencill, for always having my back. Virtual hugs to M.J. Rose and Carrie Green, who have selflessly helped me with my career without asking for anything in return. I would also like to thank trusted readers who caught errors and provided guidance, and authors who were kind enough to read my work: Joan Diamond, Sue Harrison, Kathie Shoop, and Kaira Rouda. A special thank you to my mother, Hilde Alter, who provides feedback so straightforward and honest that it takes me by surprise, and who is always right (truly, she is).

  To the multitude of friends that I have made on Twitter and Facebook who encourage me, support my efforts, play my silly games, and retweet my tweets, you inspire me each and every day, and for that, I will be forever grateful. To my WoMen’s Literary Café ShareTheLove crew, bless each one of you. I wish I could name you all, but there just isn’t space.

  I have an enormous family and want to thank them all for believing in me just because they love me: my brothers, Adam, Jon, Dale, Joel, Seth, and Elliott, my stepfather, Colin, my aunts and uncles, and cousins, and, of course, my grandparents who are no longer with us but are in my heart. Thank you. Steve and Sandy Foster, I am so lucky to have you in my life. Jane DeVito, thank you for being excited about my work and for taking the time to read my books.

  Gratitude doesn’t begin to touch on the feelings I have for my immediate family members who talk me through the moments when I’m not sure I have what it takes, who kiss me goodnight when my fingers are glued to the keyboard, and who would love me even if I didn’t write. Les, Jess, and Jake, you are my biggest fans (rivaling my mother, of course) and I appreciate your support. Thank you to my big kids who are busy with their own lives but make time to congratulate me on my efforts and pretend to be interested: Noah, Zach, Brady, and Devyn. I love you all.

  Lastly, I’d like to thank my readers. Your emails make me smile, your book clubs make for fun gatherings, and I will always write for you.

  Melissa Foster is the award-winning, bestselling author of two novels, Megan’s Way and Chasing Amanda. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, and the WoMen’s Literary Café, a literary community. Melissa is currently collaborating in the film production of Megan’s Way. Melissa has written for Calgary’s Child Magazine, and Women Business Owners Magazine. She hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children, and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa is currently working on her next novel, and lives in Maryland with her family.

  Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an invitation to your event.

  www.MelissaFoster.com