On the ride back to town our translator asked how we liked Yuri. We told her we liked him very much but we were concerned. He didn't walk. He didn't talk. We'd known there would be delays but we didn't know if that was too much of a delay. What did it mean?

We went back to the hotel and then out to eat. When we returned our facilitator was waiting for us with the translator. What were we thinking! She demanded. Did we want this child or not!

This was one of those times when it was hard to overlook the Russian way of speaking. I think it is just how they talk, but we felt yelled at. We were feeling pressured. Our social worker had told us that we should never feel pressured, that it was our decision and our agency would stand behind us no matter what, but at that moment it was hard to remember that support. It seemed so far away... several thousand miles and many time zones away at that point.

We tried to explain to her what we had said to the translator. We had some concerns. We wanted to talk to our doctor. It didn't mean we didn't want him. We were just worried!

Will you accept him? She asked. Did we want to see another baby? That would be very difficult. We may have to travel a long way. This is the best baby in the orphanage!

She was getting impatient with us, cultural differences in tone of voice or not.

Our translator, who seemed a little more calm (perhaps disinterested?), echoed this idea of Yuri being the best baby in the orphanage. This made us think (we were trying hard to think despite the two slightly annoyed Russians standing in our room). Could we see the other children in the orphanage? We asked. It would help us get an idea of what to expect.

Yes. They said. It would be arranged. But after that we would be expected to make a decision.

Part 1 of our story is here.
Part 2 is here.
Part 3 is here.
Part 4 is here.
Part 5 is here.
Part 6 is here.
Part 7 is here. "The Train to Voronezh"
Part 8 is here.
Part 9 is here. "The Orphanage"
Part 10 is here. "Voronezh Regional Specialized Children's Home"
Part 11 is here: The Doctor.
Part 12 is here. "Yuri!"
This is part 13.
Part 14 is here. "The other children."