Authors: Denise Kahn
IRAQ
CHAPTER 50
Sam’s eyes moved under her eyelids. She was awake and she wanted to see where she was, but it was difficult. She tried again and this time she was successful. She saw a nurse in fatigues at the foot of her bed.
“Hey, doll, you’re awake,” the young nurse said joyously.
Sam stared. She looked familiar. “Melissa?”
“That’s me. How are you feeling?”
“A little groggy. What happened?”
“Well first we thought you were dead because of the explosion.” Sam was starting to remember, including poor Fatima. “Then apparently you had a hell of a time in some prison.” Sam nodded. “And then, and only God knows how you did it, you managed to get yourself to the CSH. The guard at the gate found you and brought you to us.”
“Yes, I remember now. How long have I been out?”
“About three days. Needed lots of fluids. You were pretty battered, but you shouldn’t be too uncomfortable. We gave you enough pain killers for that.”
“Yeah, you’re right, I don’t feel too bad. When can I get up and back to work.”
“You just rest and relax for a while, you need it.”
Sam took Melissa’s advice and stayed in bed for a few more days, but she also gave a report to the Colonel about the prison. He in turn set the wheels of the military in motion and a unit went in and freed the women who had been held hostage for so long. They also found out which village Aliyah was from and sent groceries and supplies to the inhabitants. Another surprise was Hamid. They found him as well and were keeping him at the CSH. When Sam was well enough they brought the boy in to see her.
“Sam!” He cried when he saw her.
“Hamid, it is so good to see you! I’m so glad you’re safe and your arm looks really good.”
“Yes, it’s all healed up, only a little scar.”
“That is great news.”
A couple days later Sam drove to Aliyah’s village, it was only ten kilometers away. The Iraqi woman was ecstatic when she saw who it was. She screamed and most of the villagers came out to see what was happening. Aliyah told her that they had been liberated and her sisters in the jail were all free and back with their families.
“So what are you doing now?”
“I was a school teacher and I am going to teach again.”
“That’s wonderful,” Sam exclaimed.
“Yes, I only wish I still had my family.”
“What do you mean?”
“The bastards killed them.”
“What?”
“My husband and my daughter. They killed them in front of me.”
“Oh, my God, Aliyah, I’m so sorry. But why?”
“Who knows? The secret police came in and said that my husband was a traitor, which of course he wasn’t, he was just a baker. But they didn’t believe him so they shot him. My ten year old daughter was standing next to her father when he was killed and she went crazy. She attacked them so they shot her too.”
“I am so sorry, Aliyah.”
“And then they took me away to prison. I would have preferred to die with them, but it was not to be.”
“You are still a young woman, Aliyah.”
“I may be young in years, but I am too old to start a new family, and after what they did to me in that prison no man would want me anyway.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“That is the way it is here.”
Sam looked at her. Aliyah couldn’t have been more than thirty or thirty-five years old, but the circumstances and the punishment she endured made her look more like fifty. “Aliyah, I have an idea.”
“What is it?”
Sam knew Aliyah would care for Hamid as if he truly were a son of hers. Both the school teacher and the boy who had lost their families would once again find happiness.
♫
NEW ORLEANS
CHAPTER 51
“Hey, Music Man, I was thinking,” Colin grunted as he pulled on the weights in Walter Reed’s physical therapy room.
“That’s always worrying,” Max answered, gritting his teeth. The two men had been together since boot camp and spent the better part of the last three years together. By smell or by intuition each man knew exactly where the other was, and what he was doing. They had a respect and a love for each other that only two individuals who have been so close for so long possess. One was white, the other black. One was from the north, the other the south. Both were handsome, intelligent and charming. As for their souls they could have passed for twins. “What’s on your mind, Haf?”
“Well, you know how I’ve been having a hard time reaching Chantal.”
“Yeah.”
“I haven’t talked to her since we left Iraq.”
“Right,” Max said, his heart missing a beat as he thought of Sam, Chantal’s best friend.
“I still can’t reach her.”
“Is she alright?”
“I think so. She’s working in a VA hospital in New Orleans, but I can’t seem to get in touch with her.”
“Have you tried calling her Aunt?”
“I don’t have the number and it’s unlisted.
“How about Tyrone?”
“He’s even harder to track down. Last I heard he was still out in the sandbox.”
A dark cloud seemed to cover Max eyes as he thought of how many lives had been lost, especially Sam’s, the love of his life. He knew that it would take a long time to get over her, and maybe he never would. Max focused back to what Colin was saying.
“…and I want to propose to her.”
“You what?” Max asked. He hadn’t heard everything Colin said.
“I said, I want to marry her and I want you to be our best man.”
Max stopped his exercises. As the perspiration poured down both men they looked at each other and moved from their stations. One hobbled, the other kept his arm down, the pain excruciating for both of them, and embraced.
“I’d be honored, Haf.”
“Thanks, Music Man, it wouldn’t be right if you weren’t by best man.”
“Chantal’s a lucky girl.”
“No, I’m the lucky one.”
“Boy, is she going to be surprised!”
“I hope in a good way.”
“She’ll be thrilled. And you two are great together.”
“Thanks, man.”
“Now, let me call my
Mommy
, I think she might just have a little plane lying around.”
“No way!”
“Yeah way.”
“But doesn’t she need it?” Colin asked as if Davina had to take some kids to a football practice.
Max laughed and never answered.
The Gulfstream G500 jet landed smoothly at Louis Armstrong airport in New Orleans. Their captain, Eric Shannon who had been Davina’s pilot for over twenty years, saluted the two men as they made their way down the steps onto the tarmac where a car waited for them.
Once in the limousine Colin gave the driver the address.
“We’re going to her Aunt Clotilde’s house,” Colin said to Max. “She’s off from the hospital today.”
“That sounds perfect.”
They asked the driver to stop for some flowers. The two men went into the shop and came out with two huge bouquets, one for Chantal and one for Aunt Clotilde.
“Do you have the ring?” Max asked.
“Oh, my God!” Colin said, feeling his pockets. He touched the little velvet box and exhaled. “I do.”
“That’s what Chantal is supposed to say.”
“Funny. Now get that leg moving and let’s go to that house.”
“Ay, ay, my friend. Oh, this boy’s in loooove,” Max said mockingly.
“Don’t make me hurt you, Music Man.”
“I’m moving, I’m moving.”
“Need help?”
Max shook his head. They put the flowers in the trunk and headed toward the Devereaux’s home.
“Are you sure she’ll be at the house?” Max asked.
“That’s what the hospital said.”
Twenty minutes later they stopped in front of a lovely little house surrounded by the state’s magnificent state flower. The beautiful white magnolias were everywhere. There were still more in beds along the steps leading up to the porch. Colin and Max took the bouquets out of the car and walked up the stairs. Max was slower as he had to use his crutch.
“Ready?” Colin asked, as a few beads of perspiration started form on his brow.”
“I was born ready.”
“Asshole.”
“Uh, huh. Oh, and what is that on your forehead? A little sweaty, are we?”
“I’m going to hurt you, Music Man.”
“Uh, huh, heard that one before too.” Max quickly pushed the doorbell.
“What are you doing?” Colin said between clenched teeth.
“You gonna make me stand here forever? And with a crutch no less.”
Max and Colin were standing next to each other when Chantal opened the door. When she saw them she opened her mouth but no sound came out.
“Hello,
ma chérie
,” Colin said.
Chantal screamed at the top of her lungs and fainted. Colin caught her just before she hit the ground. Aunt Clotilde and Tyrone ran out to see what had happened to Chantal. They saw her and a bouquet on the floor, Colin holding Chantal in his arm, Max standing next to them on his crutch with his own bouquet.
“Don’t you hurt her!” Aunt Clotilde hollered all while brandishing a rolling pin at the two men. “Tyrone, call the police!” But the older woman didn’t get an answer from her nephew. “Tyrone? Tyrone!” She turned to look at him. Her nephew was paler than she had ever seen him. “What is wrong with you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost!”
“I… I have. I mean, I am.”
“Make sense, boy. What are you talking about?”
“They’re dead.”
“Who’s dead?”
“Haf and Music Man.”
“Hey, just because I’m in a sling and Max here is on a crutch doesn’t quite make us dead, Tyrone.”
“Do you know these men?”
Tyrone nodded to his Aunt. “Yes, from Iraq. They were good friends of Chantal and Sam’s.”
At the mention of Sam’s name Max’s eyes darkened.
“Well, if they’re friends don’t just stand there, let them in, boy!” Clotilde lowered her rolling pin.
“But…”
“But nothing. Now help me with Chantal. What got into that girl?”
Chantal was started to stir. “They’re dead,” she murmured.
“See, like I said,” Tyrone said “This is the man Chantal loved... loves.”
“You think we’re dead? But why?” Max asked.
“Because I saw them close you both up in body bags on the flight to Germany. They said you didn’t make it.”
“Well, somebody messed up. Hate to disappoint you, man, but we’re both still here.”
“No wonder they kept asking me my name when we got to the hospital,” Colin said.
Tyrone ran up to Colin and hugged the big man. “Hey, watch the shoulder.”
“Sorry. God it’s good to see you two! Poor Chantal, she really freaked when she saw you. Come on, let’s get her up.” The men lifted her and put her on a couch. “We thought you were dead. Poor Chantal’s been through hell.” Tyrone gently slapped her cheek. “Come on, Sis, wake up. It’s me, Tyrone, and Colin and Max. They’re not dead. Really, they’re not.” He shook her a little more, but Chantal wasn’t waking up. Aunt Clotilde brought them a wet wash cloth.
“Here try this,” she said.
Colin carefully wiped her face. Chantal stirred some more. “It’s me,
ma chérie,
truly.” She looked up and slowly lifted her hand to the big man’s face. She gently caressed the cheeks she adored and then a few tears streamed down her face. Colin held her to his chest with his one good arm. “Are you alright?”
“I am now,” she said and hugged the man she loved, being careful not to hurt his bad shoulder.
Clotilde watched her niece’s caresses, and immediately knew how much she loved the man she thought had been killed back in the desert.
“Aunt Clo, did we make enough food for another two people?” She asked.
“There’s always enough food in this home, especially for family.” They all looked at her walking into the kitchen.
“So when are you going back to the sandbox, Tyrone?” Max asked.
“Tomorrow.”
“You watch your six, man.”
“I will. And you take care of yourself. Damn, it is so good to see you both!”
“Likewise, Ty, likewise.”
“
Merci
, Aunt Clotilde, the meal was exquisite. You should open a restaurant,” Max said.
“It’s crossed my mind once or twice.”
“As soon as I have enough money I’m going to buy her a restaurant,” Chantal said.
“Really?” Max asked.
“Oh, yes. It’s something I want to do and it’s a promise I’ve made to Aunt Clo, and even to myself.”
“Well, I think that’s a great idea! Aunt Clo, I promise to be your first customer on opening night.
“By the way Aunt Clo, do you make wedding cakes?” Colin asked.
All eyes turned to the big man. “Why do you ask?” Aunt Clo said.
Colin stood up and bent down on one knee in front of Chantal. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the little velvet box and opened it. He removed the diamond ring and looked at the beautiful young woman. “
Ma chérie
, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Chantal’s eyes were wet, the tears holding under her lower lids. “It would be my colossal pleasure!”
Colin slid the ring onto her finger. Chantal’s tears were not the only ones flowing.
Davina and Alejandro were sitting on the couch, Davina cradled inside his arms.
“How is he?” Alejandro asked.
“Physically he’s healing, emotionally, I’m not sure. I would venture to say not well. I remember his eyes when he talked about Sam. Oh, Alejandro he must be in such pain.”
“I can understand it. I still can’t forget that awful time with the hijackers... I thought I had lost you,
Amor mio
. Max is quite a man. In his shoes I think I would have gone crazy.” He caressed the woman in his arms—the artist adored by millions, the mother of his child and the love of his life. Alejandro kissed her lovingly on the lips and Davina responded with the ardor and the passion they had always had for each other and always would. They were interrupted by a phone call.
“Leave it,
querida
,” Alejandro pleaded.
“Okay,” she said, kissing him again. The ringing was incessant. “Maybe it’s important.” She reached for it. He caught her hand and kissed it. The ringing stopped. Then started again.
“It must be important, my love,” Davina said reaching for it. Alejandro threw up his hands in surrender. “Hello? Yes, speaking... Oh, good evening, how are you… What? Where?” Alejandro immediately was alert. “Are you sure? That is magnificent news! Very well, thank you so very, very much.” Davina hung up.
“Is everything alright? What was that about?”
“Everything is wonderful! Let me make a quick phone call, I’ll tell you all about it in a few minutes... And then I’ll be all yours,” Davina said with a really big smile.
“Don’t keep the fox waiting too long,” Alejandro said.
Davina dialed her son’s number. Max answered right away.
“Max, sweetheart, how are you? How’s your leg?”
“Good, Mom, what’s up?
“Just wanted to know how Colin did with Chantal. I also have some terrific news for him.”
“I don’t know if you can hear, but there’s a party going on. They did really well. They’re officially engaged.”
“Good, I’m glad. Colin is such a great guy.”
“That he is.”
“So, are you going up to Boston before coming home? Did you decide?”
“I’ve been thinking about it. And you’re probably right. Now would be a good time.”
“I think it’s the perfect time too. You’ll have Colin with you and why don’t you take Chantal along. I’m sure she could use a little vacation and she’ll want to see more of her man.
“Yeah, it’s a good idea. I’ll ask them.”
“Good. Now let me speak to Colin for a moment, I want to congratulate him and tell him the good news.”
“About music?”
“Definitely involves music.”
“Okay, bye, Mom.”
“Bye, Max, have a good trip to Boston.”
“Yeah, will do.” Max said. Davina heard the pain in her son’s voice. “Hey, Haf, my Mom’s wants to talk to you,” he said, handing the phone to Colin.