teaching here.”

“When will his duties start here?” Fazzi inquired.

“Well the next class will start in about three weeks, but there will be teacher training and administrative details to go over in the meantime. Most of the students will be granted a 14-day leave, but the work of the teachers goes on and on, sometimes without let-up. Then Joseph will also have to get settled into his new quarters and there will be lots for him to do.”

“I do hope you will allow him some leave.” Fazzi said.

“Oh yes! He will have a lot of time off; it is just that until he is settled and the school is ready to begin there will be lots to do.”

“Yes as an ex-military man myself, I understand.” Fazzi said. “It’s just that myself and a group of Arab businessmen in Paterson have formed an investment club and we were going to arrange a meeting with a Wall Street investment firm. We were hoping that Joseph would be available to act as our interpreter at this meeting.”

“I’m sure we will be able to work something out. As long as the meetings are not on school time, I can see no problem.”

“Yes they will be arranged so as not to interfere.”

“As long as he gets back to the school in time for work, it should present no problem.” The C.O. said. “It was nice meeting you and your family, but now, if you will excuse me, I would like to congratulate a few of the other students.” He bid good-bye to Fazzi and Mary and went to talk to some other students and their guests.

Fazzi and Mary rejoined Joseph, Kassie and Williams and the five of them spent the rest of the afternoon socializing with other students and teachers. Fazzi finally was able to talk to Joseph alone after Williams and the women became involved in a discussion.

“When will you and I be able to get together, Yussef?” asked Fazzi. “Mary and Kassie will be gone by Tuesday afternoon. I hope to arrange that investment meeting for Thursday late afternoon or evening. Do you think you will be able to make it?”

“You call Mr. Worthington and set it up… I’ll make it one way or the other.”
“Now, Yussef, I would not like to see you get into trouble just because of a business meeting.”

“There will be no trouble. As a sergeant, I will have lots of time off. When you speak to Worthington, please give him my regards.”

“I was surprised not to see him and his family here today.” Fazzi said. “I would have thought that, as close as you seem to be with them, that they would have been here today. Did you remember to invite them? I hope that you did not offend them by not asking them?”

“I did not feel it was necessary to invite them. I did not even invite my family from upstate New York. Richard Worthington and his family are not my family–you and your family are more like my real family than either of them.” Joseph lied, something he was getting good at. “I just did not think either of them would be that interested in coming to a military ceremony. I knew that you on the other hand, having been in the military, would like it. Besides, after the way you and I