excerpt
“Okay, sounds simple enough; I’ll make the arrangements. I’ll have it
prepared for the night of the party.”
Talal doesn’t ask how, as he knows he has to leave Ahmed alone to do his
job in finding what they need. They play a game of pool and Talal beats him,
the same way he beats Hakim every time. They enjoy their lattes in the pool
hall when Ahmed asks, “When do you plan to leave for good and return
home?”
“I haven’t decided yet. Early next year sounds about right. We’ll see. What
about you?”
“I don’t have anything holding me here anymore; my schoolwork is
complete. I suppose I’ll go back sometime in November; I miss home.”
“I know what you mean, my man. I miss home also.”
“We could travel together if you like.”
“I don’t know whether that would be a good idea, my man. I mean, after we
complete this last task.”
“You’re right. Being together perhaps would not be the best thing to do.”
“It’s not just that. I have to look into my affairs with the thought of a woman
being there with me. Ibrahim likes the idea of my being with a woman,
particularly an American woman, when I go. That means I have to put her in my
plans for some time, at least.”
“The old man knows what he’s talking about, doesn’t he?”
“Of course he does. That’s why we have to listen and not question his
motives; he knows what he’s talking about.”
After they finish their lattes, they leave, going in different directions.
Emily Roberts is at Mario’s waiting for Cathy when the server comes to get her
drink order. Cathy arrives in the next few minutes and they hug.
“My goodness, Emily, you have a nice tan; it was that warm over there?”
“Yes it was; warm and clear. It was sunny every day with the temperature
about 25 degrees. Would you like a drink?”
“Yes, I’ll have a glass of wine. What are you having?”
“I ordered wine, also.”
The server comes and they order their lunch and Cathy’s wine.
“How’s life there, Emily? I mean, for the average people; how do they go
about getting their daily things?”
“Cathy, I didn’t see much of that because I was mostly taken to places
Hakim’s family knows. For the time I was there, we had guards, maids, servants,
cooks, and more.”
Libros Libertad 