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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"Why would a Syrian diplomat do that?"
"Interesting question. Who knows what they will do???? Like the man says this thing is getting curiouser and curiouser. Tis a puzzlement." Barns said laughing.....
"Huh! What man?" Asked Joseph.
"Oh sorry, it was from before your time. It was a quote from Yul Brynner when he played the King of Siam in 'The King and I'. I think...."
Chapter 24
It was late Sunday morning when Fazzi's limo drove up the long driveway and came to a stop at the front door of his palatial home. The chauffeur got out of the vehicle walked briskly around to the rear door and held it open for him. As he got out he could see his housekeeper, Summaya, coming down the steps to greet him.
"Sbaah El Kair, Good morning sir. Welcome home. Did you have a good flight?" she asked in Arabic. "Is the family well?"
"Yes they are fine and they send their regards to you. Mary says she really misses you and would love to have you come and work for her. Would you like that? Would you like to go out to Michigan and work for Mary and Kasemah again?"
"Sir, as much as I liked working for her and your daughter, my family and friends are all here in New Jersey and I am happy to be working for you and Sgt. Benson. I feel the both of you need me more than they do." The cook and maid said. "If I may say so and please I mean no disrespect at all, here I feel like I run the house and I like the feeling of giving the orders. You and the sergeant need someone to look after the both of you. Your wife and daughter, they are both strong people and can do for themselves."
"Young lady, are you saying that Yussef and I are helpless weaklings and we need a woman fussing around us?"
"Oh no! Not at all, sir. Its just that you and the sergeant need me to take the little things off your hands so that the two of you can have the time and energy to run the world without having to do the menial things like house work or cooking." She laughed as Fazzi joined her in her joke.
"Err speaking of the Sergeant, did Yussef, by chance, come home last night?"
"No, I was not even expecting him, was he supposed to come home? I wish he had, as the house has been empty and very lonely without you and if you must know the truth, it is even lonelier when Yussef is not around. He is so nice and easy to take care of. And he is always trying to show his appreciation. He knows I won't take any tips, not that he hasn't offered them, but he never fails to leave me a little something, some small little gift." The housekeeper said, then, changing the subject she continued. "It is too bad that you did not have the time to visit the women for longer than a few hours. They must have been sad at your short visit."
"Yes." He lied, knowing full well that his wife and daughter would rather never see him again. "There was some business that I had to attend to in person In Deerborn, and I thought as long as I was there I would check on my daughter and find out how she was adjusting to her new life.
"And how are she and Madam doing?"
"We did not have too much time for a visit, but we did talk for about an hour and they seem to be doing fine. Mary is happy to be among her relatives. She is pleased to be able to attend her own church. Mary thinks it is great that Kasemah is becoming Americanized. I think it is a bit too much too soon, but there is little I can do about it. She has changed her name to Cassandra and become a licensed driver. She has now entered the University and she wants to become a doctor, a ladies doctor no less!" Fazzi said as he entered the house. "You would not recognize her. Oh, before I forget, we will be having two guests this afternoon. Nothing special is needed, well maybe just some tea and toast will do. They should not be staying too long. As far as dinner, I don't know if Yussef will be here for dinner or not... If he calls I'll let you know so that you can prepare a nice meal for just the two of us."
"Very good sir. Is there anything else?
"If you please, I'll take a light lunch in the library as soon as you can fix it. But first, the chauffeur has brought my 'carry on bag' up to the bedroom. Please unpack it for me and check to see if I have to send anything to the cleaners. OH, by the way, speaking of clothes, did Yussef's new wardrobe arrive yet?"
"Yes it did yesterday after you left and I placed it in his closet. He is going to look like a handsome prince in those outfits. Your daughter had better get back here quick or...."
"Now you are getting a bit too familiar young lady." Fazzi said with a fake scowl on his face and they both laughed as he headed for the library and she went upstairs to unpack his bag. While unpacking his bag she saw a notepad in the breast pocket of his suit. After carefully removing and inspecting the outside of the pad, she opened it and started reading some of the hand written notes. Hidden among the pages of the pad there was a cable from Syria. Unable to make any sense of it she copied its contents. After this she placed cable and pad back into his pocket exactly as they were before removal and hung up the suit in his closet. Then she went downstairs to tell Fazzi his bag was unpacked. Finding him in the library she informed him that everything was put away
"Very good. You were right I do need you more than Mary and Kasemah, opps, Cassandra. Thank you. Is there anything else?" Fazzi asked.
"No I'll get ready for your guests now and start your lunch. Your suit was clean but looked like it could use a little steaming. Would you like me to do that for you, sir?" She asked.
"Never mind let it hang I will check it out later and let you know." He said and then returned to his mail. When he had gone through the mail he sat back in his soft leather chair and began thinking about what he was going to tell Allie and Hassan later in the day. Should he rake them over the coals or just burn their edges a little. While he was contemplating their futures, the phone rang.
"Fazzi here."
"Hello, lov." Joseph said. "I see you are home, did everything go well?"
"Everything went very well, except that I missed you very much." He answered. "I do so look forward to the day when you will be able to accompany me on these trips. By the way I have regards for you from Mary and Kassie. You do know she has changed her name to Cassandra. Don't you?"
"No I did not know that. Did they call?"
"No. I saw them in Deerborn. I just made a short trip out there on business and gave them a call just to see if they were doing well. They were surprised to hear from me, but they were glad after the shock wore off and they send their love, especially Kassie. My darling you are going to have to do something soon about her. The fool still loves you and while she did not say it - she still has hopes you will come for her someday. Perhaps she has visions of you charging up there on that white horse of yours."