“Yeah, well, in the interest of full disclosure, we’re not in the middle of the ocean. These waters are part of what’s known as the Salish Sea.” The ghost of a grin slowly disappeared. “And trust me, this wasn’t part of my plan either.”
The curve of her lips immediately fell as a cloud of guilt began to envelope her. “I’m sorry, Van.” She forced herself not to look away from his shaded stare. “For all you and your team have been through and for any part I might have played in it.”
His entire body seemed to stiffen at her words. “Thought you said you weren’t involved.”
“Not directly, no.” He’d clearly misunderstood. “I meant I hate knowing you were all fed such lies about me and my family. That anyone could think that my mother or I could be involved in any sort of nefarious activity…” Her words trailed because it was all so incredibly outlandish. “I don’t know if there will ever be a time you find you can fully trust me, but I hope…at the very least…that the possibility is there.”
Van was quiet for so long she was convinced it was his way of silently shutting down any hope of trust being built between them. That was, until he spoke up again several uncomfortable seconds later.
“Tell me about your parents.”
Kam blinked, the sudden change in topic taking her completely off guard. A moment later, understanding struck, and she realized it was his way of trying to initiate a way of building the very thing she’d only just told herself would never happen.
He’s asking you to give a piece of yourself. An olive branch to show you meant what you’d said.
Even so, she couldn’t help but to point out, “I assumed you already knew all about them…and me…from whatever information your government provided you and your team.”
“I know basic facts,” he confirmed. “Names, dates of birth, occupations…” Van shifted a bit in his seat. “I want to know about them as people. What they were like as parents. What it was like growing up in that shitho…uh…I mean, what it was like growing up in Afghanistan. That sort of thing.”
She didn’t bother hiding the smile his self-censorship created. But rather than give him a hard time, Kam told him, “It’s okay. It is a shithole. Well, parts are, anyway. But not all of it. Some places in that area are quite beautiful.” Sheglanced around again. “Of course, it’s nothing compared to this.”
“Your parents ever bring you to the States as a child?”
The question reminded her of his original request. Ah, yes. He wants to know more about my upbringing.
Because he was curious or because this was his veiled attempt at interrogation? She wasn’t sure, but it really didn’t matter. There was nothing she had to hide from him or anyone else. So Kam willingly honored the man’s request.
“No.” She shook her head beneath the afternoon sun. “The first time I came to your country was to attend university in California. Of course, you already know all about that.”
He remained quiet, not bothering to deny her claim.
“We didn’t travel as a family. Or at all, for that matter. My father was a carpenter by trade, so he would often be gone for days at a time. Going from city to city, taking whatever jobs became available.”
“And your mother?”
“My mother was a very hard worker. She was an excellent seamstress and would create some of the most beautiful hajibs and dresses…” Kam smiled at the mental images of stacks of materials and spools of thread.
“What did they think of you coming to America for your education?”
“They were proud.” Her smile grew. “The proudest I’d ever seen them. Especially my father.”
“Really?”
“Does that surprise you?”
“A little,” Van answered honestly. “From what I know of your culture, women and education don’t always mix.”
“You’re not wrong,” she agreed. “But my parents were not like most. They kept to most of the traditions, yes, but when it came to me, they both wanted me to have…more.” More education. More money. A better life than either of them had ever been given. “They knew a life here would be far better than any I’d have available back home. So from an early age, my parents did all they could to prepare me for life as a United States Citizen.”
“That why you speak such fluent English?”
Kam nodded. “It is. It’s also why they weren’t against my desire to dress more like the women of your culture. They knew my love for them and our heritage would never be weakened by something as simple as a change of wardrobe. It wasn’t that I didn’t respect the ways of my people, but rather that I was open to the many different ways of thinking and other points of view. They never forced me into a box with no hope of ever being able to explore beyond its four walls. I don’t know.” She huffed out a nervous laugh. “I’m probably not explaining myself very well.”
“No, I get what you’re saying.” Van set his empty plate aside. “They didn’t force you to define yourself and how you live by where you grew up.”
Her lips curved again as a sense of gratitude for his understanding filled her chest with an unexpected warmth.
“Exactly.” Kam nodded; the weight she’d been feeling moments earlier becoming lighter as the conversation went on. “What about you?”
