She'd stood by the front gates, leaning against them, when she'd heard a loud crack
and something had zipped by her right ear, sending tiny splinters of wood flying before her eyes.
After Giti's death, and the thousands of rounds fired and myriad rockets that had fallen on Kabul,
it was the sight of that single round hole in the gate,
less than three fingers away from where Laila's head had been, that shook Mammy awake.
Made her see that one war had cost her two children already; this latest could cost her her remaining one.
From the walls of the room, Ahmad and Noor smiled down. Laila watched Mammy's eyes bouncing now, guiltily, from one photo to the other.
As if looking for their consent. Their blessing. As if asking for forgiveness.
“There's nothing left for us here,” Babi said.
“Our sons are gone, but we still have Laila. We still have each other, Fariba. We can make a new life.”
Babi reached across the bed. When he leaned to take her hands, Mammy let him. On her face, a look of concession. Of resignation.
They held each other's hands, lightly, and then they were swaying quietly in an embrace.
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