Page 31 - Faraway Frieds

FARAWAY FRIENDS 25
knew it she was separated from the rest of her party. Frightened and alone, she turned back and started to run. That must have been when she tripped and fell.
The three American women lingered, helping in any way they could. They didn’t speak enough Nepalese to ask others for assistance, but they stayed close by anyway. It wasn’t long, however, before a tall American rushed up, a young Nepali teenager close behind.
“Thank God we’ve found you, MaryCatherine! I was afraid you’d been kidnapped!” he exclaimed.
“I’m OK, Dad. Really I am,” MaryCatherine re- plied. “These kind women came to my rescue.”
With introductions all around, the women ex- plained that they were part of a team that had just arrived in the country. They would lead some teach- ing sessions for adults working with children.
“I’ve heard about this,” Daya joined in. “They announced it at the meetings my mother and I at- tend on Sundays.”
“This is great,” Dad said. Then looking around, he suggested, “I noticed a kiosk back a ways that’s selling cold drinks. Let’s stop there and give Mary- Catherine a chance to rest some more. I’d like to see if we should take her to a medic. Looks like she might have a black eye.”
“Only a slight headache, Dad,” MaryCatherine