Chapter 38: Confession

Inside the store room an emotional reunion was taking place. Ernesto was aghast at the clothing Rubina was forced to wear, but assured her that she would be free and back in Sicily with him within twenty-four hours. He also hoped she had not been raped, at least not too often.

"But, Ernesto, do you still want me after all this? Many men have forced me, but I never let any of them ... willingly," she said, putting the occasion with Ramzy El-Najjar out of her mind, "And there is one more thing I must tell you husband. I have been away from you for many months..."

Ernesto interrupted her, "Over a year now."

" ... and I am..." she paused, "I am with child."

Ernesto swore and then asked, "Who is the father? I will kill him."

Rubina burst into tears.

When Ernesto had calmed her down and dried her face she admitted in a tiny voice, "I cannot tell. It was after the hunt, when I was tied down and many hunters used me. Any of them could be the father and I do not even know their names."

Ernesto used some Italian words Rubina did not even know, but said, "I have come this far and I have found you. I will not give you up now. We will go back to Italy and the child can be cared for there, if we go before it is born. Later would make it impossible; it will be difficult to get both of us out of here, with a babe in arms..."