[17: A mountain stream.]

“Anyone who wants to take the trip to the highlands must have permission turned in here by the end of day Friday. Class dismissed.”

On her way out of class, Meera felt a tap on her shoulder. A dowdy woman with tightly pulled back grey hair stood behind her. 

“Meera Singh?”

“Yes?”

“My name is Julia Sardovsky. Can we talk?”

Meera wasn’t sure what the woman wanted.

“Sure. I can take the bus home. What’s this about?”

The classroom emptied and the woman took a seat at one of the desks and pulled out a clip board.

“I’m assigned to look into the families of each of the children with out of home placements. Your sister is Sama Singh, correct?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Are you in contact with her?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“How is she?” Her tone changed almost instantly into a sort of practiced warmth that set Meera on edge.

“Fine, I think. The family she’s with is pretty nice.”

“And how are you?”

Meera was surprised a bit at the change in focus.

“I’m fine.”

“You live with your uncle, correct?” She glanced down at her clipboard as she spoke, making her seem like she was reading from a script. 

“Yes.”

“And where are your parents?”

“Hyerabad, India.”

The woman looked a little surprised and scribbled something onto the page on the clipboard.