“The fedayeen? Me?” Khalid’s voice cracked. He lurched away from the water’s edge.

For a moment, Huda thought he was going to bolt into the scrub.

“I can’t join the fedayeen. They make every cadet shoot a prisoner in the head. If you don’t, they shoot you instead.” He opened his mouth wide, like a small child about to wail.

“This is why we’re going to Jordan.” Huda tried to draw him into a hug. “You’ll be safe there.”

Khalid pushed her away.

“This is your fault. If not for you, the mukhabarat wouldn’t even know my name.” He clutched at his dark hair. “Is this some sort of sick reward for all your dirty work? Men like Abu Issa and his stupid partner probably have wet dreams about joining the fedayeen.”

“Khalid! Watch your mouth.”

“Why? If you had such high morals, you wouldn’t be a mukhabarat spy.”

The wind dragged a tear from Huda’s eye.

“I had no choice.”

“You could have refused, Mom.” Khalid’s face twisted in disgust. “And now it’s me who has to pay the price.”

He stumbled away from her. Huda wiped her eyes and followed him to the parking lot.

* * *

The Land Cruiser rumbled away from the lake, kicking up a trail of dust. Huda watched Rania dwindle in the rearview mirror. She stood tall and waved fiercely. Huda’s throat ached. Rania had always been brave, rarely allowing anyone to see a chink in her elegant armor. But Huda knew that as soon as they rounded the corner, she’d slide onto the hard-packed earth and weep her heart out.

“Your mom will join you in Jordan soon.” Huda prayed that was true. She reached behind her seat and patted Hanan’s knee. The girl hiccupped wretchedly. “Trust me. It’ll be okay.”

“Trust you?” Khalid snorted. “We’re running away from our own country.”

“Please, let’s all settle down.” Huda gripped the wheel as the Land Cruiser bucked over the ruts in the dirt track. A flock of birds burst from a stand of salt cedar. Khalid glowered as they squawked toward the sky.

“This is all your fault, Mom.”

Ally glanced over her shoulder. Huda didn’t know how much she’d understood, but Khalid’s anger needed no translation.

“Khalid, your mom only wants to keep you safe. Hanan’s mom is doing the same.”

“It’s not the same,” said Khalid, in schoolboy English. “Hanan’s mom is not a dirty spy.”

“Khalid!” gasped Huda.

“Come on.” Ally shook her head. “That’s not fair.”

He slapped his palm against his forehead.

“Do you not understand?”

“Khalid, stop it.” Huda tried to catch his eye in the rearview mirror. “No one wants to hear this.”