WEBVTT

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The brightly-colored
procession to the bus

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stop snake down the path.

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Jean-Patrick and Emmanuel
form the last segment

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of tail, Jean-Patrick holding
tight to his uncle's hand.

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A lifetime of hard work
had calloused those hands

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beyond healing.

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With his eyes
closed, Jean-Patrick

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doubted he could distinguish
them from tree bark.

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Uncle wore his formal black
suit and broad-brimmed black hat

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to mark the occasion.

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His carved-herders staff
accompanied each step

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with a toc.

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They reached the stop
just as the bus for Butare

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came into view.

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It strained up the
hill, coughing out

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a thick plume of exhaust.

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At the tiny market that
formed around the stop,

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market-goers kicked up storms
of red dust into the air,

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already thick with smoke from
roasting corn and brochette.

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Hawkers readied for the
mad sprint to the windows,

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primping their baskets of
sodas, breads, and candies,

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little sacks of fruit.

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As Jean-Patrick went
to buy his ticket,

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his uncle passed a wad of
crumpled bills into his palm.

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Aye, that could buy
half your new motorboat.

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It's bad manners to
refuse a gift, Uncle said.

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A motorboat can't run away.

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Jean-Patrick's
entourage stood as if

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waiting to be photographed
when he returned

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from buying his ticket.

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Jean-Patrick pantomimed
snapping photos.

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These pictures I can sell to
a fancy tourist magazine, eh?

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Maman pressed a heavy sack
into Jean-Patrick's hand.

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So you don't go
hungry, she said.

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How many pairs of pants had
she ironed for a loaf of bread?

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How many blouses for
his favorite biscuits?

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You better go now, she said,
while you can still get a seat.

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Jean-Patrick pressed
his forehead to hers.

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God keep you safe, he said.

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May God keep us all
safe, Uncle said,

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glowering at a group of Hutu
Power boys in the corner.

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There's something from me
at the bottom of the sack.

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You can open it when you arrive.

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Uwimana clasped
Jean-Patrick's hands.

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Unlike Emmanuel's coarse grip,
the palms felt soft and giving.

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I meant what I predicted.

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You'll be an important
man in this country.

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My heart is full for you.

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After hoisting his heavy
suitcase up the step,

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Jean-Patrick stopped
to wave once more.

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It could go on forever, this
thinning thread of goodbyes.

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The driver sent out a
blast from his horn.

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The last empty seats
in the rear were full,

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except in the rear,
next to the window.

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A large woman, carrying a
basket filled with produce,

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shoved in beside Jean-Patrick.

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He squeezed against
the side of the bus,

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and his knee vibrated
to the engine's hum.

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The bus door slammed shut, and
Jean-Patrick opened the window

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against the heat.

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The woman leaned across
him, and closed it again.

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Leave it so, she said.

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We'll get sick from the dust.

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With a loud clunk, the bus
ground into forward gear.

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The driver turned up the
radio, and the tinny speakers

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buzzed with song and static.

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The bus lurched forward.

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It snaked through the crowd,
and onto the main road,

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slowly gaining speed.

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Gears ground.

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The driver leaned on his horn.

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Animals and
market-goers scattered.

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Through the dust-caked
window, Jean-Patrick

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watched his family grow
smaller and smaller,

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as the distance
between them increased,

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they still called and waved,
but he could no longer

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make out the words.

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A crack in the glass split
them precisely in half.

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