“It’s better if you do, Daisy. They’re here because of you.”
“What do you mean, me?”
“I used your name. They heard that you head W.A.N.T. and that you are trying to get money for women in the camps. They wanted to help.”
“But I don’t understand, how did they hear about me?”
Effie turned to the first cameraman who was closest to them. It was clear he was trying to keep track of their conversation. “Daisy, this is Tahir.”
“Hello, ma’am,” he said in heavily accented English. “The other ma’am is correct. You are known.”
“Talk to him in Arabic,” Effie suggested. “He’ll be able to explain better how he knows about you.”
“It is an honor to meet you, Tahir,” Daisy said. “How do you know of me?”
He smiled broadly. “My wife’s second cousin spoke of you. Her friend is in the camp. You’ve spoken to her. You are trying to make her life better. You run a charity to get them help, so I want to help.” He slapped his chest.
“As do I,” the second cameraman piped up.
Daisy was stunned that word had gotten out about what she was doing.
“Miss!”
Everyone turned to see Abia running up toward Daisy with her arms up. Before Leo could intercept, Daisy was picking up the little girl.
“I missed you,” Abia said as she smiled brightly.
“I missed you too,” Daisy grinned.
“Who are they?” she pointed to the cameramen.
Tahir explained they were going to take pictures. Then, God bless him, he took a quick video of Effie and then replayed it for Maysa and Abia to see. Watching, Maysa nodded her head.
“Can we go over to your tent and take some video of you, your children, nieces and nephews? Then I’d like to ask you some questions. Would that be okay?”
Maysa nodded.
I sure hope she starts talking when we get to her tent.
Daisy was impressed when she noticed that both men were filming all the way down the long rows of tents as they made their way to Maysa’s tent. It took them almost fifteen minutes to get there. As they walked along many people watched, some actually followed. But again, so many people were hot, tired, and hungry, they just didn’t have the energy to give a damn.
Daisy took note of the men she now saw walking down the rows and nodded at Leo. When Maysa started feeling comfortable answering Effie’s questions with Tahir acting as translator, Daisy fell back to talk to Leo privately.
“Who are they?” she asked him.
“Who’s who?”
“Don’t play innocent. Who are the men who are nodding to you?”
“I told you I was here to help with security. I got access to the camp by talking to the Red Cross about volunteering my services to consult on camp security. They were all over it. The UN Peacekeepers are sparse on the ground.”
It was true.
“Who are these men?”
“They’ve been vetted. They all worked in law enforcement or the military before ending up here. They all volunteered, but before I tapped them, I found their records. They all made the cut.”
“Effie isn’t the only one working miracles today.”
“I wish. I still can’t get the Peacekeepers to let me make recommendations for the camp entrance, the food distribution site, or the aid station. They’re driving me up the wall.” Leo ran his hand through his hair.
“You’ll convince them, I have faith.”
“I only have another four days.”
Shit, where has the time gone?
“How about you? What are your plans after you have the press release in the can?”
Abia finally had enough. She pulled at Daisy’s necklace and patted her cheek. “Me,” she said in Arabic. “Talk to me.”
Leo chuckled.
“Okay, Darling. What do you want to talk about?”
“Can they take my picture?” She pointed to Tahir.
“I think that can be arranged. Let’s get to your home first, okay?”
The little girl’s eyes got wide with enthusiasm. Daisy could see just what a few weeks of extra food had done for her. The difference was amazing. But she still looked like she was no more than three years old, instead of five.
“Will they talk to my brothers and sisters? We can show them our drawings.”
“That would be great. What did you draw?” Leo asked.
“I drew a cat. My brother drew an airplane. My other brother drew a soldier.”
“We would love to see them. Maybe you could draw a flower.” Daisy suggested. Abia looked at her funny.
“What are you trying to say,” Leo asked.
“Flower,” she said in English.
“You said ‘fast’.”
“No wonder she’s looking at me weird. You translate.”
Leo asked the girl if she could draw a flower for Daisy. He explained that Daisy’s name meant flower. Abia clapped and said she would as soon as she got home. Maysa had done an incredible job of making her youngest child feel good about where she was living. Daisy knew it was tougher for the older children who remembered their real home before they had been displaced.
Abia scrambled down as soon as they arrived at their tent, and she found her coveted small notepad. Almost every page was covered with her little drawings.
“Come look,” she Abia to Daisy and Leo. They walked around where Effie was having the cameramen set up. When the young girl showed her artwork, the other children began to bring out their notepads and show their artwork as well. She knew damn well that Effie was having them videotape this entire episode. She hated it, but she understood.
“Daisy, why don’t you come here and interview Maysa,” Effie called out. “Then we can tour the central areas.”
Daisy looked up at Leo who gave her a head tilt. She smiled gratefully, knowing he’d continue with the kids.
It took about an hour with
