I am feeling much better now. The bump on my head is no more and my bruises have faded into little scars that hardly show. I am saying prayers every day that soon Manman can say the same.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1

It’s already been a month since we’ve been here. If we’re here any longer, we might as well stay for Christmas.

This morning, I saw Manman walking back and forth across the room, as if trying to will her leg to do exactly what she wants it to do.

I think the leg is getting better. She moans less at night and grimaces less often when she walks.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2

We are home! I am writing by the light of our kerosene lamp. Everyone is asleep. The cooking rocks are still warm from the fire and I could spend all night staring at the cinders in the ashes when I am not looking up at the stars.

When we woke up this morning, Manman said, “We are leaving today. I am tired of Rose’s house. I want to go back to my own house.”

She announced this to Tante Rose as soon as Tante Rose woke up.

“I feel bad that I made you stay longer the last time,” Tante Rose said. “I am not going to tell you to stay this time, even though I think you should wait for your leg to heal completely, but if you must go, let me take you.”

Tante Rose told Raymond to find her a car. An hour later, Raymond came back with a borrowed car and we were off.

Manman and I sat together in the back. Tante Rose sat up front while Raymond drove.

As we neared Carrefour, Tante Rose asked Raymond to use a shortcut off the main road to spare Manman from having to see the bombing site again. Raymond did this and in no time we were in Léogâne.

Once we got there, Tante Rose rented two mules. Manman rode one with her hurt leg stretched out in front of her, just as Tante Rose recommended. Tante Rose and I rode the other mule. By late afternoon, we were finally home.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3

I thought Tante Rose would rush back to the city early in the morning, but she did not. She went with Moy to see the fields and Papa’s cows, then stayed for the midday meal Granmè Melina cooked for us.

Granmè Melina and Granpè Nozial were thrilled to see us. I couldn’t stop staring at them, I was so happy. As usual, Granmè Melina smelled like coffee. I didn’t realize how much I missed that smell and how much I missed her.