excerpt
Talal and Hakim are enjoying a morning walk in the park across from Hakim’s
place. It’s the cool end of September, and one can feel the need for a sweater or a
light jacket. One can also see the coolness by watching the park inhabitants such
as the flock of ducks by the pond, who argue as lawyers about the pieces of bread
thrown to them, while the smaller birds flutter around preparing for their
annual migration south. Even the crows, who gather in bunches here and there
and claim their domain, confirm the fact that fall is here and winter approaching.
There are a lot of visitors in the park this morning, and one can see the frustration
on the faces of the people who live under the pressure of a bad economy,
high unemployment, and the high cost of fuel and food.
Hakim is wearing a light windbreaker and running shoes and is ready for
conversation although notices that Talal looks tired and withdrawn.
“What’s up, man? You look terrible, what’s eating you?”
Talal doesn’t say anything, but Hakim persists.
“What is it, my friend? You look frustrated. Come on, talk to me.”
“The same old nightmares. They never change. I see the same scene, the same
corpses, feel the same pain and the same hate; I was up at three this morning.”
“Sorry to hear that, pal; I hope things will get better from now on. I have news
for you. I talked to Ibrahim this morning. He wants you to visit him. He says
preferably with a woman?”
Talal stops walking and looks at him.
“He wants me to go and see him? Have someone along?”
“Yeah, cover I suppose. Take Emily and go for a couple of weeks, like a holiday.
She needs to get away for a while after what she has been through the last few days.”
Talal likes the sound of that. It’ll give him the chance to see his brother and sister
in Falluza and to show Emily his country, about which he has told her so much
lately. Perhaps he’ll take her for a boating trip on the gulf, or even for a swim.
“That sounds pretty good. It’ll get Emily away from the funeral and all that,
and at the same time I’ll go see my sister and brother and Ibrahim.”
“Now you are talking; how is your money situation? Do you need help?”
“Not really. I just have to sell a few shares of Advanced, like I have been doing
lately. There is no other money, you know.”
“There is no problem with that. Put ten thousand shares out there Monday
morning and you’ll be alright. The price is good these days, although I expect
them to do even better in the near future.”
“I only need to put out eight thousand, maybe only seven. That would
probably be enough.”
“Put out ten and don’t worry. That will leave you with some left over.
Perhaps you can give some to your family.”
Hellenic Canadian Literature 