A Land of Permanent Goodbyes

Alexia is preparing to start her volunteer shift on the Greek island of Lesvos. She sips a coffee, contemplating some of the horrors she’s seen—like a father and mother mourning their son, a young boy in a Spiderman sweatshirt, who had frozen to death by the time he arrived in Greece. She is haunted by memories like these.

Waiting for boats to arrive, Alexia goes to a tent to sort clothes that have been donated from around the world. Her favorite is an ugly, old, lime-green wool coat that used to belong to a man named Terry. She knows this because the person who donated it left a note in the pocket, with words of encouragement for whatever refugee might end up wearing the jacket. The note is from Sally Martin, Terry’s granddaughter. She writes, “Terry would be proud to have known that someone with courage and patience such as yours is wearing his jacket” (188). Sally also provides her email address in case the jacket’s future recipient wants to reach her. Alexia reads the note every shift; it reminds her the world isn’t all bad.

Mariam and Sivan, two volunteers from Israel, join Alexia. Alexia is surprised that they are there to help, given the tense relationship between Israelis and Arabs.