The Risk in Crossing Borders by William McClain

Author:William McClain
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: A personal journey of new borders—from refugees crossing countries in search of safety, to a young woman facing risks in crossing the transgender border. #Contemporary fiction
#Women’s fiction
#Older women
#Transgender
#Immigration
#Refugee
#Syria
ISBN: 9781735159812
Publisher: Green Planet Books
Published: 2020-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

France

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Elias and Kamar had just finished their third week in Montpellier, France. Their travel visas had arrived on the first of May, and they left Beirut as soon as Kamar’s school year finished. One advantage of having so few possessions between the two of them was that they had little that needed to be shipped.

Elias felt an overwhelming sense of relief, tainted by guilt in leaving behind his fellow refugees and his country of Syria at a time when doctors were desperately needed. There were also times when he wondered whether he was abandoning Victor in his move to France. But he couldn’t see how remaining in Lebanon would help Victor’s situation.

Elias had little time to dwell on his conflicting feelings as there was so much to do. They took up temporary lodgings in the outskirts of the city, as they narrowed down their options for a more permanent situation. Elias kept busy with job interviews, most of which he had lined up while still in Lebanon. Then there were the countless tasks needed to establish residency and set up a household. Both Elias and Kamar continued work on improving their French, as that was of paramount importance in integrating into their new community. A final decision on schooling would need to wait until they determined which neighborhood they would call home, and Elias was hoping to confirm where he would be working before committing to a long-term lease.

One of the first things Elias did upon arriving in Montpellier was to find a counselor for Kamar. Kamar was reluctant at first. Elias tried to frame the concept of counseling in terms that would make sense to her and not seem threatening. “Counseling is not much different from the work I do. I help the body heal when there has been a physical injury. A counselor is trained to help people heal from emotional injuries. You’ve been through an emotional injury that is, I’d say, the equivalent of a major car crash. It would not be very smart to be involved in a car crash and then insist that you didn’t need a doctor—that you just want to see if your body will heal all on its own. No matter that your broken arm might heal at a funny angle and prevent you from being able to use it normally.” After a few sessions, Kamar seemed content to continue with counseling, although she never shared specifics about her sessions, and Elias didn’t pry.

Kamar immersed herself in all things French, and Elias prioritized their time spent getting to know their newly adopted city. Most mornings, in the cooler part of the day, Elias and Kamar explored a new site or neighborhood and then, during the warm afternoons, retreated to their apartment to work on applications or to practice their French. One morning they visited Pavillon Populaire to catch a photography exhibit, followed the next morning with a trip to the beach. Another morning they drove north of the city past vineyards and

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