Several families adopted families. And in the end, I adopted two girls, sisters, orphaned by the savages of war. As youth minister for our church, nobody thought it odd that a single, 30-something male would have two young girls in his house. At the time, I didn't think it odd either. I'd never had lustful thoughts about my young charges. Well, that's not totally honest, I'd had some: A quick peek down a loose tank top at a small breast, or a sneak look up a young girl's wide shorts opening, while sitting on damp grass on a Sunday morning reading scripture. But it was never anything I'd acted on.

The congregation was educated in the customs and norms of our new friends. While we didn't share a religion, we essentially believed the same thing and that was enough. We were taught snippets of their language, nothing complex, but enough to elicit a smile from our instructor.

The day came and our adopted arrived at the airport. A large part of our congregation turned out as a welcoming committee - a thoughtful gesture but completely overwhelming to our war-weary friends. We found those we'd be responsible for and introduced ourselves.

"Hi, I'm Mark," I said in their language. "And that's about all I know how to say!" I added in English, with a smile.

The two girls looked at me a giggled. "That's okay," said one, the older one, "I can speak English a little, okay?"

I nodded and smiled. The older girl was beautiful, in a virgin-Mary sort of way. Her bright blonde hair framed a slim (not gaunt) face. She had high cheekbones and a small dimple on her chin that looked like a scar. Her clothes were clean but worn. She was wearing a slacks, nylon or rayon I guessed, and a white blouse. The thin fabric couldn't totally conceal the brown bra she wore. It covered two wonderful, small breasts. I was embarrassed at the stirring in my loins.

She didn't seem to mind that I'd been staring at her, or didn't notice. "I'm Tasha," she said. "And this is my little sister, Ekaterina."

The younger girl curtsied and I almost chuckled at the site of it, but it was a sincere greeting. I bowed in response and Tasha nodded approvingly. Ekaterina was slender, like her sister and had yet to develop breasts. She had wonderfully long legs, exposed since she was wearing tan, knee-length shorts. She had a denim shirt on and her hair, blonde like her sister's, was pulled back in a ponytail. She smiled shyly at me and I led the girls out to my car, following the rest of the crowd. We approached my Lumina and Tasha asked with amazement, "This is your automobile?"

I nodded.

"It's so big!" She exclaimed. "In our country cars are, uhm, what you say, uhm, tiny!" She spoke rapidly to her little sister and they both giggled.....(cont)