A thousand Splendid Suns

* * * 
 
  Six months later, in April 1988, Babi came home with big news. 
 
  "They signed a treaty!" he said. "In Geneva. It's official! They're leaving. Within nine 
months, there won't be any more Soviets in Afghanistan!" 
 
  Mammy was sitting up in bed. She shrugged. 
 
  "But the communist regime is staying," she said. "Najibullah is the Soviets' puppet pre-
sident. He's not going anywhere. No, the war will go on. This is not the end" 
  "Najibullah won't last," said Babi. 
 
  "They're leaving, Mammy! They're actually leaving!" 
 
  "You two celebrate if you want to. But I won't rest until the Mujahideen hold a victory 
parade right here in Kabul" 
 
  And, with that, she lay down again and pulled up the blanket.