This is a work of fiction, and as such the characters are not bound by the usual dictates of modern society. Unsafe sexual practices can be undertaken with impunity only in the world of fantasy. In reality, it is your obligation and your right to play safely, sanely and healthily. I hope you enjoy my work, and if you have any comments, or ideas that may inspire new work, please feel free to contact me - all E-mails will be answered to the best of my ability. Joystick56@Hotmail.com I would like to thank all of you that wrote and told me how much you like the story so far.

End of Chapter 16

“I love you Yussef, habibi.” Kassie said.

“And Kassie-I love you too!”

“Joseph is there any chance that you and I? I mean one day, that we could...?”

“Habibi, let's let the future take care of itself. Just be happy that both you and Mary can start to live, at last, in Freedom...”

Chapter 17

Monday morning dawned clear, cold and bright. Most of the troops were a bit hung over from celebrating the end of finals. Joseph had a few drinks in the “Enlisted Men’s Club” and he and Ibrahim had spent the evening commiserating over the end of school and what might happen now that it was ending.

“What happens now?” Joseph asked Ibrahim. “Do we get posted to our new duty stations right away?”

“I would think so. They do need translators right away. We will most likely be assigned to new duty stations right after the formal graduation and then given a 14 day leave to report to the new duty station. Most of us will go to Iraq right away. The need for Americans who speak the language is so great that they may even forgo the 14-day leave. Joseph if you and Kassie are going to be married I would suggest you do it A.S.A.P. You may never get another chance to do it for a long, long time.”

“You may be right there. However, there have been some problems that have come up.”

“What problems?” Ibrahim asked.

“Well, the difference in our religions for one. I did not think it would become so important, but it has.” Joseph lied. “Fazzi refuses to give his ‘blessing’ to the union, unless I give up my religion and submit to Allah. And I’m not about ready to do that.”

“Well I hate to say it–but–I told you so. What are you going to do now?” Ibrahim asked.

“Well Kassie and I, decided to take a break from each other,” he continued to lie. “Mary is going to take her on a long visit to her relatives in Michigan and if we still feel the same way about getting married in a year, then he will consent.”
“And Kassie agreed to this?”

“Yes, reluctantly she did. Anyway by that time I will have less than a year to serve on my enlistment and we will both be better able to make a life for ourselves.” Joseph said. “So you and I had better keep in touch because I will still want you to be my best man.”

“Well we will see what the future brings. A year is a long time and a lot can happen in that time.”

“Yes it can and another thing he wants