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be protected.  She would have food and shelter and protection.  The thought of not worrying about her future anymore had a calming effect on her.  Yes, she thought.  It is as easy at that.  She would do what Nicolae suggested and emerge from the cocoon.  She would spread her wings and join this family.  “Yes,” she replied, a strong sense of determination in her voice.  If she was shutting the one door, she thought, there was certainly another one opening.
    He helped her through the narrow wagon door and down the two steps.  Outside, the air was cooling down and life was beginning to emerge.  Nicolae held her gaze for another long moment, long enough for Sahara to feel herself catch her breath.  She had never had any man pay attention to her before, not like this.  She broke the stare, diverting her eyes to look down at the ground.  She thought she heard him chuckle under his breath.  Without another word, he walked away.
    She thought about following him, considered wandering into the cooking area where the women were beginning to gather.  Instead, she sat on the wagon stairs, her chin in the palm of her hand as she watched.  There was an organization to the chaos, a gentle orchestration of job responsibility.  Everyone seemed to know what they had to do.  They all moved as one, each independent from the other but connected and in harmony.  They were, indeed, a family. 
    She saw the figure of a man approach the main area.  He held up his ha nd.  Every one stopped.  The gypsies began to gather around the man.  Sahara squinted as she tried to see who it was.  Her heart fluttered as she recognized the old gypsy : Rom Baro .  The camp grew silent as the Rom Baro slowly walked toward an old woman.  He stopped in front of her.  Obediently, she lowered her eyes and waited for what seemed an eternity to Sahara.   In silence, t h e Rom Baro glanced at the eager faces staring anxiously back.  Another man stepped closer to the Rom Baro.  It was Nicolae.  Sahara stood up and, cautiously, walked toward them so that she could see better. 
    Sahara noticed the Rom Baro say something to Nicolae who merely responded with a simple nod .   If he spoke, she could not tell. However, w hatever was said brought great joy to the Rom Baro.  His face lit up and he smiled, raising his hand again as he announced,  “ At last!  It is done!  W e feast tonight! A slava to celebrate the bori! ”   A cheer rose out of the crowd before they dispersed, laughing and talking eagerly as they began to prepare for the slava that evening.
    Forgetting about the lovel y n ecklace she wore and the feeling of apprehension in her chest , Sahara quickly descended the steps and hurried toward the Rom Baro .  Several men stopped talking as they watched her pa ss them.  Their laughter slowly subsided as they saw where sh e was headed.  The Rom Baro was talking with Nicolae and another m an as they stood by one of the brightly colored wagon.  In the sunlight, the Rom Baro looked older than he had the previous night.  His dark, gypsy eyes were tired and sunken in his wrinkled face.  His black hair, dotted with grey strands, was thin and dull.  It hung down his back, pulled back in a similar way as Nicolae’s but not as full.  Sahara saw him reach up with a tremulous hand to squeeze Nicolae ' s shoulder as they talked.  The pride the Rom Baro felt for his son was more than obvious. 
    “ Excuse me... ”  
    The Rom Baro turned around slowly, his eyes meeting Sahara's.  His expression was hard and he narrowed his eyes as though angry.  “ What is this? ”   His voice was sharp and harsh as he looked at Nicolae , disapproval written on his face.  He said something to Nicolae that Sahara could not understand and she could hear the crowd mumbling behind her.  When he turned back to Sahara, his eyes fell on the necklace around her ne ck.  Suddenly, t he frown disappeared from his face as he repeated with a gl eam in his