and I want you to see the finished project.”

“You are going to be just great and so is the play. Don't worry about it. I love you."

“Look I have to go now. I have some shopping to do for the trip. I'll call you from the try-outs. Joseph forgive me, in spite of everything, I love you.” Rich said as he closed his cell phone.

Joseph put down his phone and was startled to hear it ring as soon as it had rested in its cradle. Picking it up he said "Benson here."

"Marhaba, keefak? Hello, how are you? It is Allie here. I hope it is not too soon, but when do you think you would like to have a meeting? There are some things I would like to discuss with you." He said in Arabic. "Aside from preparing the lists of Arabic charities, I really don't know what I am supposed to do or even when I am supposed to start my new job."

"Allie I was just thinking about you," he lied. "I am not planning anything for this evening. If you have the time why not drop by the house this evening for supper? Perhaps you might even bring your wife. Like, Fazzi my father, I find it more interesting if I can meet and socialize with my employees and their families. That way the family does not feel left-out and they can understand when I impose on their husbands' family time."

"Oh, but, I thought you knew. I am not married. I have found that having a wife would have tied me down and besides what woman would put up with my hours." Allie told him.

“Perhaps you would like to bring a girl friend?”

“No, at present, there is just me.”

"I'm sorry to hear that. Then perhaps you will come join me for dinner and the two of us will get to know each other better. You could perhaps bring that preliminary list of some of the organizations that you prepared and we will go over it together. I think it is time to start the process of funding these charities. I will have the cook prepare us a lamb shish-ka-bob dinner."

"Yes the money is needed and I am sure that it will be put to good use.” Allie said. “Lamb shish-ka-bob! Oh don't go to any trouble. Something simple will be fine with me."

"Nonsense, besides I love the stuff and look for any opportunity to have cook serve it. It will be a pleasure to share it with an Arab, who knows and can appreciate the finer points of the cuisine. You know that delicate taste of the spices and the aroma that can drive you wild."

"OK, OK, say no more. What time shall I drop by?"

"About seven p.m. will be fine." Joseph said, "and be prepared to eat. One thing more, I hope it won't offend your Muslim sensibilities or you, if I have beer on the table."

"If you don't let it be broadcast about, I too drink now and then. Like your late father, I have become accustomed to the Western custom of taking a little alcohol with my meals. I have learned that custom as well as a few other of your decadent and depraved morals." He laughed. "Fazzi and I loved to delve into and appreciate much of that western debauchery that our