parted the last time, I needed to see you again and touch you. I just wish we could just be alone for a few hours. Just you and I.”

“Me too, habibi.” Fazzi repeated as he squeezed Joseph’s hand.

“We will have all the time we need, soon.” The soldier said. “I cannot wait until we take up where we left off, but we will have to wait until Kassie and Mary have gone to Michigan. Saying good-bye to them here today will be hard enough, I do not wish to have to say good-bye to them twice. I am going to arrange a few days off after Kassie & Mary are out of the house. Perhaps, this Wednesday to Friday, if you find that convenient?”

“Convenient? It will be wonderful. We could have the meeting with Worthington on Thursday and maybe you can come to Mosque on Friday with me.”

“Yes I would like that very much. I would also like to do a bit of shopping. I would like to get some new clothes to wear off base. Except for you and the family, I feel ill at ease when I wear my uniform while I’m amongst the Arab community in Paterson.”

“I was hoping that you would take no notice of that. We can arrange some shopping time, perhaps on Thursday. I can even have a tailor come to the house. I would love to see you dressed in fine hand tailored clothes. I insist that you allow me to buy you a new wardrobe as a ‘moving in’ gift.” Fazzi said. “I can see it now. It is going to be great, just the two of us together in the house and at Mosque. I cannot wait to feel your body beside mine. Perhaps you would like to go out and celebrate our ‘union’, someplace like that Café we were at the other night? Maybe you would like for me to arrange to have that dancing girl come to the house and give a private performance for us.”

“Fazzi,” called Mary. “It is time for us to leave now.” Then hugging Joseph to her she whispered into his ear, “I fear that this will be the last time I shall see you my dear son, I do not know how to thank you. Kassie and I will always be very grateful to you. We shall never be able to repay you.” She threw her arms around him and kissed him and held on to him as she broke down in tears. Fazzi almost had to drag her away so that Kassie and Joseph could have a few moments together.

“This is good bye then, Yussef. We will not see each other again, will we? Kassie said also in tears.

“I don’t think so, but you never can tell.” The soldier said taking her in his arms and kissing her deeply, “I love you, Kassie. You remember what I said about living a free life? Well, you live it and enjoy it for both yourself and me. Now go with God.”

Both women, with tears in their eyes, went back to the bus and sat waiting for Fazzi to say his good-bye. “I will not say good bye, Yussef. Only till Wednesday.
As Joseph watched the bus pull away Ibrahim came up beside him and said, “You are one lucky dog. A beautiful girl and a promotion as well as a good job; what more could a man