This is a work of fiction, and as such the characters are not bound by the usual dictates of modern society. Unsafe sexual practices can be undertaken with impunity only in the world of fantasy. In reality, it is your obligation and your right to play safely, sanely and healthily.
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"Hello. Fazzi Muhammad here. I was wondering if I might talk to Mr. Worthington, please?" Fazzi said into the telephone mouthpiece.
"Oh yes! Mr. Muhammad, I'll put you right through. He is expecting your call," answered an elderly female voice.
After a few seconds, "Hello, Richard Worthington here. Mr. Muhammad?"
"Yes, it is. A Private Joseph Benson told me to call you any time about the possibility of your company handling some investments for me. I hope he wasn't, as you Americans say, 'pulling my foot'," the Arab said. "One can never tell with these young men these days. They sometimes, shall we say, overplay their connections and I would not want to interrupt an important business meeting or conference."
"Sir, let me assure you that Joseph, as I'm sure you are aware of, is not one to do that," Richard senior said smiling into the phone. "He is a bright young man and a very trustworthy one at that. Those are unusual qualities to find in most of today's youth. Someday, when he is free from the army, I hope to have him enter my firm. I'm even thinking of making him a associate, after he has served an apprenticeship."
"I'm very happy to see that you and I agree about him," Fazzi said. "Then you will not have any objection to my using him as my translator. As much as I pride myself on my knowledge of the English language, there are times when I find myself at a loss for a word or two. Joseph has the ability of knowing what I want to say even before I can get it out of my mouth. Besides, he is nice to have around."
"That would be fine with me. I do not know if Joseph told you that I would be pleased to meet with you in person to discuss what possibilities there might be of our doing business together," the Wall Street mogul said.
"Yes, Joseph mentioned that and I would consider it an honor if we could meet for, shall we say, dinner some evening?" the Arab suggested, and continued, "you know that it is an old Arabic custom to socialize and conduct business at the same time. We like to do business with people we know and can get to like."
"It is not only an Arabic custom, but also an American one as well. We have had what has been called, 'The Three Martini Lunch' for decades."
"Ahhhhh yes! I have heard of that. However, I was thinking of something more in-line with my tradition," the Middle Easterner said. "There is a special sort of night club that I know called the 'Cafe Casablanca', where I have been thinking of taking Joseph. It has good food, music and entertainment. It is very relaxing and conducive to, how you Americans say, 'making a deal'."
"If that is so, then I must learn all about this. It can give me another weapon in my sales arsenal," Richard said laughing.
"Good! How does Wednesday night, at let us say seven PM, sound?" Fazzi asked. "The evening is on me and I will send a car for you and have you brought to the restaurant and we could all meet you there. Afterwards the driver could take you home or anywhere you want to go."
"I think that would work out fine. Just let me check my calendar and make sure the evening is open." After looking at his appointment book he came back on the line and said, "Yes that date is open. Let me write it in. Wednesday at seven then. Should I dress formal or is it informal?"
"Oh my, it is very informal. Dress comfortably," Fazzi said. "Yussef and I will meet you there."
"'Yussef'?" Worthington questioned.
"Yes, I am sorry I forgot, that is what we call Joseph. It is his name in the Arabic tongue," Fazzi said. "My family and I have adopted him as our son. ' Salaam alechem, menshoofak', see you Wednesday then."
Tuesday evening Joseph went to Paterson planning to take Kassie to dinner and the movies. When he arrived at the house, he found the family waiting for him in the library. Greeting them, and telling them how much he had missed both women, he kissed the hand of Mary and the lips of Kassie. There was an audible gasp from her parents. "What? Is it wrong to kiss your future wife in the company of her family?" Joseph queried them.
"Yes! No! Sorry, but it was just an automatic reaction," Fazzi said. "It is not wrong, but unusual. In traditional homes men do not kiss women in front of even family members. I do not remember my mother or father holding hands in public let alone kissing each other."
"Then I think it is about time that you change your ways. This is America and here we are a lot more public about our feelings," Joseph instructed. "Surely it can't be wrong to show your wife and daughter a little love–even in public. And Fazzi, if I am to join this family then you better get used to it, because I intend to kiss my future wife when and where I feel like it." The soldier sat next to Kassie and put his arm around her shoulder–daring the family to dispute him.
"Well, the little lion cub is beginning to growl," the Arab said. After thinking about it a while, he tuned down his rhetoric and admitted, "Well, it was me that thought it would be a good idea to 'Americanize' this family. I guess that is part of the price we will have to pay for living here. I can now see, that it is true, that all reformers really come to hate reform."
"Yes, my husband, you asked for it, and now you got it! What is more-–I, too, would like a kiss now and then," Mary chimed in. "I think it would be nice if from time to time you showed some affection for your wife."
"My dear wife, I will show you affection later," he said with a smile on his lips. "And as for you Yussef, for now, as long as it is only with the family, I will try to get used to it. Now I have some great news to tell you, my little lion cub."
"Yes, what is it?"
"I called Worthington yesterday," the smiling man said, "and he has agreed to meet with us tomorrow night. Yussef, you and I will take him to dinner and talk to him about business, as well as get to know each other. Will you be able to make it? Since you already know him, you will be able to act as a bridge between us, and also, I would like to have you there in case I run into trouble with my English."
"I'm sure you will not need me as your English is very good. I wish my Arabic was as good as your English.
But, if you insist, I'm sure I can make it. Besides, this will give me experience if I am to become a stockbroker," Joseph said. "Will Mary and Kassie be coming with us?"
"No. It will be just the three of us. This will be all business even if, as I hope, we can mix some fun and entertainment into the evening," Fazzi said.
"Good, because next week I start my final week of school and I could use some fun before we have our final exams," the soldier said. "I will have a lot of studying to do in preparation if I am to graduate at the top of the roster. After that, if it goes well, I will graduate."
"I am sure you will pass with very high marks," Kassie said. And with a wide smile asked, "Then will we be able to make our plans, 'habibi'?"
"Well, if I do pass out on top and get that job," he said with his fingers squeezing her shoulder, "yes I think it will be time for you, your family and me to think of that future. There are many things we all must talk about."
"Like what, 'habibi'?" Kassie asked. "I am to be your wife. That is all that matters. As your wife I will be and do what you want–not because I have to, but because I want to."