I can say no more." Mary," Judy continued. "I know that you are legal. Why does he scare you so badly? What power does Mr. Swanson have over you? ...You can tell me. I have to know in order to help my friend."She lowered her head and sobbed, "My brothers are not. He knows. He will tell his friends in immigration. Before Sara came, it was me in his office. I don't know what he knows about Sara, but you cannot help her. He is muy poderoso jefe." What happens in his office?"Mary stared at. Indeed, I’m the only Muslim female member of the Gay/Straight Union. Got one helluva story to share with you folks. Life as an out and proud Somali Muslim lesbian isn’t easy, that’s for damn sure. To the Muslim community I am somewhat of an aberration. Would it surprise you to discover that my beloved parents, Idris and Amina Ali of Somalia are actually supportive of me? I sat my folks down and told them about my lesbianism the summer after I graduated high school, and they were surprisingly. Kathryn was sitting directly across from him, her head bowed down to her chest, sleeping, her mass of wavy blond hair hiding her face.Alison walked into the kitchen followed by the two guys in masks. Dale grunted loudly behind the tape over his mouth, straining against his restraints. He watched Alison take a paring knife from a kitchen drawer. She stood in front of Kathryn and brushed back the girl’s hair. Kathryn looked up, typically bleary-eyed, and smiled.“Hi,” she said to Alison.“Hi,” said. I had no idea how long I’d been gone or how far I ran. I was too tired now to think about the National Service mess. I just needed a shower and some food. And water. I was chugging down my second glass of water when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned into my sister’s embrace.“A protein drink will be faster than making food,” she said. “Drink this, baby.”I took the drink from her and swallowed. I could almost feel the nutrients flowing back into my body. I hadn’t realized I was shaking.“How.