Continued from part 1

I don't know that I have seen before the color truly drain from someone's face from top to bottom as his did. He dropped his head and when he looked up his eyes were red and welling with tears. His voice was very emotional as he said, "Well, actually, that day my mother died."

I think I felt small enough to crawl under the door as he shared his apologies for what happened that day and said in his halting English, "Actually I did come, but I was late. I know it is not excuse because it is my job and I must be there."

"You mean there is no one whom your boss could send to replace you?" I was incredulous and apologetic at the same time as I told him I was very sorry. He merely replied, "No, it is my job."

"So your boss is not very kind-hearted? You shouldn't have to work the same day that your Mother died." He smiled a bit and again looked down and then started backing towards the door as he said, "I will see you tomorrow", and reiterated what time we needed to meet and what we needed to bring. It was clear he was uncomfortable and did not want to discuss it. I tried to touch his arm as I again told him how sorry I was, but he quickly retreated out the door.

I wanted to scream when he left. For my meanness at telling him I was
concerned he would fail us, for a boss who either can't or won't send a
replacement when someone's mother dies, and for all of the injustices just like this that happen daily in the world. I'm angry that I am sitting in a fancy hotel while he had to go hop on a bus for an hour long ride home only to get up at the crack of dawn to get ready and come back on another bus so he can meet us early in the morning. I'm angry and sad for the pain he has had to swallow and the lack of time he has had to grieve. I can't imagine having a parent die and then not even be given the afternoon off, much less having to put on a smile and pretend you are happy to be assisting adoptive families when you would probably much rather be alone in your grief.

If you are a praying person, please offer up a prayer for Raymond and others like him who suffer silently in their grief. I wish I could find him a different job or offer him some other kind of solace, but sadly at this time, praying for him is all I can do.