right here. Anything you want will have to be a special order. I can not afford to stock these items, but I can arrange to go into the city and pickup anything you want and have it here in a day or two.”

“Excellent. Let me look through and pick out what I want. Remember this is a gift for Yussef and I want it kept secret from him. You are to engrave it in Arabic. It is to say, 'To my beloved son, from his loving Father'.” Fazzi said and then added, “one thing more I would like the same type of watchband on that one too. I don't want him to have it fall off his wrist like mine did.”

“Yes Effendi, it will be done. You just pick the watch and I will take care of everything.”

The next week was a busy one. Fazzi prepared for his trip. He received reports from Allie everyday. Joseph was busy at the base school. His students had really advanced to the point where Arabic was spoken almost all the time. Both his students and the commanding officer were impressed with both the ability of Joseph to teach and his willingness to be 'one of the guys'. He invited a few of his students to the estate to dinner and to spend the night in his old apartment. He had additional cots brought in for them. When he asked Fazzi if he could do that, Fazzi repeated what he had told him at the bazaar. “This is your home now, I want you and your friends to feel that they are all welcome here. For your sake, I will behave myself. I will not even try to seduce any of them.” He jested.

On the Friday morning before the week he was to leave they went to Mosque. Everyone came over to say goodbye and wish him a good and safe trip. Many of them handed him notes and letters (along with cash in them) to deliver to their relatives in Syria. They returned home to have dinner before Joseph was to make his weekend visit to Richard. Joseph helped him to store away the envelopes. Fazzi would be traveling light. He was talking just one bag to check through and a small overnight case. “How much does one need for a week?” He asked. “Besides I will be traveling under a diplomatic passport that Allie has arranged for me.”

“In that case you should be able to get away with bringing many gifts into Syria duty free as you do not have to pass through customs or security. Aren't you going to bring any gifts for your family?”

“No! I told you that we don't get along too well as it is.” Fazzi said. “Besides there is no one there that I would want to give anything to. All my gift giving now is taken up by my gifts to you. And I do have a parting gift for you, habibi.” Fazzi went over to his dresser draw and took out a beautifully packaged gift box and handed it to Joseph. This, my love, is for you. I want you to count the hours we are apart, in style.”

Joseph opened the package and saw it contained a beautiful watch similar to Fazzi's but not as ornate. Beside himself with shock he had to sit down as he tried to compose himself. Thinking fast he said, “Now you have spoiled my surprise for you! I