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"Yussef, it's me Cassandra (Kassie). Are you alone or is my father with you."

"Your father must be downstairs getting breakfast. It's been a hectic weekend. Did you hear about Ibrahim?"

"Yes I did and that's why I was calling. Yussef I know how you must feel and I wanted to know if there was anything Mom and I can do to help. We owe you so much. Poor Ibrahim, he did not deserve this."

"Everyone here has been very kind and helpful. Your father has really gone out of his way to help. He has got the Imam and the entire Muslim population of Paterson to sign a petition for his release. If you would do the same out there, I think it would help. I will have your father email you a sample copy you can use." Joseph said. "How are you two doing out there? I hear you are going to medical school. I want you to know that I am real proud of you."

"Yes, I'm doing fine, but I miss you. You have not called in a while. I guess you are busy, what with the fund and teaching and with my father. Is he treating you well, Yussef, what I mean is... He is not...not?"

"No Kassie, he is really wonderful to and with me. I could not ask for a more considerate lover." He said as Fazzi opened the door and entered carrying Joseph's breakfast tray and placed it on the bed by Joseph. Smiling at him Joseph continued, "as a matter of fact he just brought me my breakfast in bed."

"Well I see, you two are settled in there-that bastard never brought my mother anything in bed, not even himself." She said and started to laugh at her joke and then stopped short and said, I'll leave you two alone and start that petition. I just want you to know that even though I hate what you are doing with that perverted old fag, I'll always love you. I'm just mortified that you had to do this in order for us to escape that pervert."

"Kassie I'm sure Ibrahim will appreciate your efforts as much as I do. Thank you for calling and offering your help. No matter what happens it's time for you to live your own life. Find yourself a good man, get married and raise a family. And Kassie, just thank Allah that we did not get together."

"I'm going to try. But it is so hard... I can't stop thinking of you--but I must and will." She said with tears in her voice as she hung up the phone.

"Goodbye Kassie and Ibrahim will thank you."

He put the phone down and took up the fork and started to eat. "That was Kassie. She is going to get a petition started there. I think she is beginning to realize that I'm not interested in her any more and it's over."

"I think you could not have made it any clearer." He said leaning down and kissing him. "A pretty girl like that should have no trouble finding a good man. I remember that her father was a very good-looking man. Well, that was in the old days and I regret a lot of what I did then. I hope you know that and believe me."

"The past is past and best left in the past." Joseph said. "I don't know what to do about today. I was going to go into the city and