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the kite runner-第102部分

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 sir。 Your outrage notwithstanding; you still need to prove the parents are deceased。 The boy has to be declared a legal orphan。 
 But…… 
 You wanted the long answer and I m giving it to you。 Your next problem is that you need the cooperation of the child s country of origin。 Now; that s difficult under the best of circumstances; and; to quote you; this is Afghanistan we re talking about。 We don t have an American embassy in Kabul。 That makes things extremely plicated。 Just about impossible。 
 What are you saying; that I should throw him back on the streets?  I said。
 I didn t say that。 
 He was sexually abused;  I said; thinking of the bells around Sohrab s ankles; the mascara on his eyes。
 I m sorry to hear that;  Andrews s mouth said。 The way he was looking at me; though; we might as well have been talking about the weather。  But that is not going to make the INS issue this young fellow a visa。 
 What are you saying? 
 I m saying that if you want to help; send money to a reputable relief organization。 Volunteer at a refugee camp。 But at this point in time; we strongly discourage U。S。 citizens from attempting to adopt Afghan children。 
I got up。  e on; Sohrab;  I said in Farsi。 Sohrab slid next to me; rested his head on my hip。 I remembered the Polaroid of him and Hassan standing that same way。  Can I ask you some thing; Mr。 Andrews? 
 Yes。 
 Do you have children? 
For the first time; he blinked。
 Well; do you? It s a simple question。 
He was silent。
 I thought so;  I said; taking Sohrab s hand。  They ought to put someone in your chair who knows what it s like to want a child。  I turned to go; Sohrab trailing me。
 Can I ask you a question?  Andrews called。
 Go ahead。 
 Have you promised this child you ll take him with you? 
 What if I have? 
He shook his head。  It s a dangerous business; making promises to kids。  He sighed and opened his desk drawer again。  You mean to pursue this?  he said; rummaging through papers。
 I mean to pursue this。 
He produced a business card。  Then I advise you to get a good immigration lawyer。 Omar Faisal works here in Islamabad。 You can tell him I sent you。 
I took the card from him。  Thanks;  I muttered。
 Good luck;  he said。 As we exited the room; I glanced over my shoulder。 Andrews was standing in a rectangle of sunlight; absently staring out the window; his hands turning the potted tomato plants toward the sun; petting them lovingly。
 TAKE CARE;  the secretary said as we passed her desk。
 Your boss could use some manners;  I said。 I expected her to roll her eyes; maybe nod in that  I know; everybody says that;  kind of way。 Instead; she lowered her voice。  Poor Ray。 He hasn t been the same since his daughter died。 
I raised an eyebrow。
 Suicide;  she whispered。
ON THE TAXI RIDE back to the hotel; Sohrab rested his head on the window; kept staring at the passing buildings; the rows of gum trees。 His breath fogged the glass; cleared; fogged it again。 I waited for him to ask me about the meeting but he didn t。
ON THE OTHER SIDE of the closed bathroom door the water was running。 Since the day we d checked into the hotel; Sohrab took a long bath every night before bed。 In Kabul; hot running water had been like fathers; a rare modity。 Now Sohrab spent almost an hour a night in the bath; soaking in the soapy water; scrubbing。 Sitting on the edge of the bed; I called Soraya。 I glanced at the thin line of light under the bathroom door。 Do you feel clean yet; Sohrab?
I passed on to Soraya what Raymond Andrews had told me。  So what do you think?  I said。
 We have to think he s wrong。  She told me she had called a few adoption agencies that arranged international adoptions。 She hadn t yet found one that would consider doing an Afghan adoption; but she was still looking。
 How are your parents taking the news? 
 Madar is happy for us。 You know how she feels about you; Amir; you can do no wrong in her eyes。 Padar。。。 well; as always; he s a little harder to read。 He s not saying much。 
 And you? Are you happy? 
I heard her shifting the receiver to her other hand。  I think we ll be good for your nephew; but maybe that little boy will be good for us too。 
 I was thinking the same thing。 
 I know it sounds crazy; but I find myself wondering what his favorite _qurma_ will be; or his favorite subject in school。 I picture myself helping him with homework。。。  She laughed。 In the bathroom; the water had stopped running。 I could hear Sohrab in there; shifting in the tub; spilling water over the sides。
 You re going to be great;  I said。
 Oh; I almost forgot! I called Kaka Sharif。 
I remembered him reciting a poem at our nika from a scrap of hotel stationery paper。 His son had held the Koran over our heads as Soraya and I had walked toward the stage; smiling at the flashing cameras。  What did he say? 
 Well; he s going to stir the pot for us。 He ll call some of his INS buddies;  she said。
 That s really great news;  I said。  I can t wait for you to see Sohrab。 
 I can t wait to see you;  she said。
I hung up smiling。
Sohrab emerged from the bathroom a few minutes later。 He had barely said a dozen words since the meeting
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