“Everybody here, in Oz I
mean, comes from somewhere else,” said Esmé slowly. “My parents were Yugoslav and Italian, and
yet, I’m neither. And not just because
they … because of what happened to me, but because this is a country which lets
you be what you want to be.”
“And?” invited Keith.
“And that means you can be
a lord all you want—“
“—I don’t want—“
“—but here in Oz, you’re
just Jason.” She turned sideways and
kissed him on his cheek.
He kissed her back. “I’m so glad I met you all,” he said, his
voice wobbling a little. “When I got
here I was so … things were so bad. I was
grieving and … I just wanted to hide, like a wounded animal. And then I met you all, and Eleanor and
Graeme, and now I feel happier. I’ll
never forget Brent or how I could have saved him if I’d been a better
person.” He looked away, his eyes dark
and his face drawn. He drew a deep
breath. “You guys made me welcome. You helped me heal. So.
I’m going to make a difference. A
difference in my new country.”
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