Cynthia hadn’t seen her parents for a few days, so she decided not to discuss nightmares and the fear of falling asleep. “How was San Francisco?”

“It rained every day. Didn’t get out to any of the vineyards. Took some of the fun away.” Her mom sat down across from her. “Katie called.”

Aunt Kate had probably called before the office door even shut behind Cynthia yesterday. “Oh yeah? Are you to intervene?”

“Nothing like that.” She carefully took a sip of her coffee. “Want to talk about it?”

She let out a long sigh. Her mom had not come in to reprimand her. She’d come to love her and counsel her. “I’m okay, Mom. I’m just out of sorts. Nothing here feels right to me.”

After a moment’s pause, her mom asked, “And what would make it feel right?”

“That is certainly the question, isn’t it?” Cynthia pushed her cup away. Exhaustion made her a little dizzy, and she didn’t think the caffeine buzz would help. “I think I’ll contact Hands and Feet and see if they have any domestic missions.”

“That’s a great idea.” Her mom reached over and grabbed a banana out of the fruit bowl. “You could also talk to Uncle Nathaniel. He might know of something.”

Uncle Nathaniel had been serving for a long time as a minister in a DC church. He had put her in contact with Hands and Feet nine months ago. Contacting him would definitely be the right decision.

Cynthia put her elbow on the table and propped her chin in her hands. “Daddy was wrong to bring me home, Mom.”

Her mom did not answer until she had peeled the banana. “It wasn’t about you. There is a bigger picture here, and unfortunately, you’re very much inside that picture frame. I’m sorry about that, but we’re making sacrifices right now. It won’t be forever.”

“I know.” She straightened. “Doesn’t it seem like we’ve been having this conversation my entire life?”

Her mother’s smile didn’t meet her eyes. “It certainly does. You’d think we wouldn’t have to have it for a while.” She followed the veiled hint with a petite bite of banana.

“Cute, Mom. You know I support you both. But I think there’s going to come a time when it gets to be about me.”

Her mom sighed. “Many things have been about you, dear. The only thing you’re prevented from is working in a country with a tenuous political system that led to violent outbreaks. Other than that, you’re rather unencumbered. Open your mind and remove the blinders that are giving you tunnel vision.” She patted Cynthia on the cheek. “We are very proud of you and know God will do good things with you, even under these restrictions.”