Chapter 12
Grinning and waving madly, boys pushed and jostled to be with François in front of the reporters and camera men. A burly man stared into the camera and blurted, “Words are not enough to describe the joy in my heart today. La madame des miracles has liberated our future. We owe her everything.”
“What my husband says is true,” the woman standing slightly behind him added. She hid the lower half of her face with her scarf and kept her eyes down. “Madame has saved us, saved our children.” By the time she finished speaking she still had her face half covered but had raised her eyes and was looking shyly into the camera.
“There is much work to be done and now we are free to do it,” her husband said.
Emboldened by the first two speakers, others spoke up. Their words came in a flood.
“She has made my dreams come true.”
“I can go back to school now.”
“We must not forget Fatma and Alyia. What they did took great courage.”
“You have taken the pictures. What do you think?”
“I am not a citizen. It is not my place to comment.”
“You protected Fatma and her children,” a woman said.
“You knew!?”
“We all knew,” a small boy told him gleefully.
“But, the Spinda?”
“They did not need to know everything.”
“Now, they are saying it is God’s will,” someone else in the crowd said.
“Who is saying this?” François asked. “The Spinda who are brave enough—”
“Or stupid enough—”
“To be out tonight.” A whoop of laughter rose from the crowd.
“Durocher, tell the world that la madame des miracles has given us the chance to rebuild our country,” someone called out in English.
*
“I did that!?” M sank back on the sofa. “I did that?” It hardly seemed credible. Little things told her it was true; the flavor of Fatma’s bread that lingered on her tongue, the stench of burning hair and wool that invaded her nostrils, along with the bits of dirt and sand she’d had to dig out from under her fingernails. And the foreign words that came out of her mouth unbidden, startling her almost as much as they startled those around her.
But to think she had done it? To hear what people said about her? That was too much to live up to. “Eh, bien. Je regarderai plus les nouvelles.” Decision made, she turned off the TV. It would sit unwatched for many months.
*
Miracles…, madame…, madame of miracles…, miracle madame…, M…, M…, m…, em… I love you, Em. I love you, Em, I love you.
Jolted awake by the screaming siren of a police car shooting past the house, Ron wept. He had been with her, holding her, touching her…
A long cold shower later Ron was back at the TV.
Richard Peters, tie askew, suit rumpled, and dark circles under his eyes, still anchored the broadcast.
“We take you now to our panel of experts linked via satellite, who will attempt to answer some of the questions. One moment please.” He frowned as he fiddled with his earpiece.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have just received word that Madame was in South America today and left only moments ago.” Peters’ voice rose in excitement as he spoke. “We take you now to correspondent José Garcia.”
“Reports that la señora de los milagros has appointed an interim government and set a date for democratic elections have just been confirmed by the rebel leaders. Information is sketchy at this time, but we have been assured that government offices will be open as early as tomorrow.”
It was time to make dinner but Ron couldn’t tear himself away from the television.
“Ah, there you are, dear. You must be hungry. Have you been in front of that TV all day?” At the sound of Gram’s soothing voice Ron rose awkwardly, muscles stiff and sore.
“What do you think?” he asked. “Is she real?”
“I certainly hope so. The world needs her.”
“The kids aren’t so sure. Tia says she’s a gimmick.”
“Their generation has grown up on too much media hype,” Gram said. “I, for one, intend to believe in Madame unless someone proves we shouldn’t.”
“Ah, Gram.” Ron sighed and enveloped her in a great bear hug.
*
Now, that Gram was a sensible woman. I liked her right away.
But Ron? How dare he love my Little Soldier and caress her, even in his dreams? My chest tightened and a surge of bile rose in my throat.