Riding back into my neighborhood I look at Amir. Once again he looks like a beautiful woman. His pony tail has dried and is flying freely in the wind, and if it is not my imagination his cheeks are even more rosy looking then when I first saw him.
He feels my gaze and looks at me and smile, "You live in this place of big houses?"
"Yes, I do."
"How much further to your house?"
I nod my head forward and tell him, "At the top of the hill."
He smiles at me and says, "America, I love it!"
I laugh and take off, sprinting ahead of him.
I hear that musical laughter of his and then he is beside of me once again.
We roll into the circular driveway of my house. The house that belongs to Justine and me. It is funny that now is the only time that I think of Justine since I have found Amir.
I open the door and roll my bike into the house with Amir behind me. I yell out "Justine!"
"George?" I hear from the bowels of the house then I hear her feet as she walks towards where I am.
When she sees me she runs towards me and I open my arms. She does not notice Amir.
She tells me while her face is buried between my neck and shoulder, "George I was so afraid that you were not coming back. I didn't know what I would do if you left me, and I didn't want to find out."
"It is okay baby. I home again. I brought us a friend."
Her head snaps back and for the first time she notices Amir. I can almost see the daggers flash from her eyes as she rakes them up and down Amir. I almost expect hissing and spiting, then she pulls in her claws, and smiles at Amir.
I almost laugh out loud as I know, without a doubt, that she thinks Amir is a woman. I have been there and done that, and I smile to myself.
"Justine, this is Amir. Amir, this is Justine."
Amir holds out his hand to Justine and says, "I am very much please to meet you."
Justine reaches out with her hand, tentatively and with a puzzled look on her face, and responds with, "I am pleased to meet you too."
Justine looks at me and ask, "George have you known Amir for long?"
I smile and tell her, "No, we just met a few hours ago while I was mulling over what you told me this morning. I must admit that if it was not for Amir I don't know if I would be standing here at all."
Justine looks at me puzzled. Amir is just looking at Justine and then me with a little smile on his lips like this was just normal American discourse between a husband and wife.
"Justine would you please take Amir to the guest bedroom. We could both use a shower, and since Amir's only clothing is cycling gear would you be so gracious as to place them into the washer. I will put them into the dryer when they are ready. Thanks baby." I kiss her on the top of her head and head to the master bedroom with a smile on my face.
I almost laugh out loud thinking of Amir's words as we rode into my neighborhood, America, I love it.