be. A part of me is missing without you, Codes.
I miss you more than words could ever express.
I miss you, Codes.
Love
Bones.
He scans the email one last time before pressing send and logging off. He switches the computer off and faces Saliem next to him.
“I’m ready, we can go.”
“Finally!” Shouts Sadiq. He is immediately on his feet.
Amr goes to the door and listens.
“It’s quiet. Do you see anything?”
He gestures for Saliem to have a look out of the window to his back.
Sadiq does the same on his side.
They both mumble something in Arabic.
“We’re good to go. I will go first. You follow me.”
Bones nods in agreement.
They both wait by the door.
Just as they were about to open it, there are three short knocks.
“They found us! I told you we should have left long ago!” Sadiq takes what looks like a baton into his hand and gets ready to whack whoever was at the door.
“They couldn’t have found us, not here, not so quickly.” Saliem says confused.
Amr shakes his head.
“When are you going to start believing me?” He doesn’t wait for an answer. Rather, he peeks through the window nearest the door to see if he could get a glimpse of who was there. All he could see though was the deserted street.
Someone knocks three times again.
This time, Bones peeks through the key hole.
Before any of the guys could stop him, he opens the door.
“All praise be to God!”
مفاجأة
Ben was busy in the garden.
It was still early afternoon, but the red ether skies made it look dark.
He was in the middle of the labyrinth. He was going to pull out all the plants, especially the ones that reminded him of Claire. He had finally accepted that she will never have anything to do with him again. She didn’t believe him, that he wasn’t drinking, definitely not while he was driving. That he wasn’t in the car when they made the accident. That was a lie too. He and Kimberly were never in an accident. But she refuses to listen.
He was about to pull out the rat-eating-pitcher-whatever, a smile plays across his face as he remembers Claire’s words, when he notices something moving to his right. He focuses on the bushes. He takes the spade in his hand and gets it ready to smack whoever wanted to jump him.
He was about to ask who’s there, when he saw the orange coat. It was a cat. He stares at it more. It wasn’t just any cat. He puts the spade down.
“Mr Biggs.”
He drops to his knees as the cat comes running towards him. It jumps into his open arms and starts licking the tears rolling down Ben’s cheeks.
“Mr Biggs… How? What are you doing here?” He gets up and holds the cat to his chest. He buries his face in its fur and hugs it more. The cat just purrs softly and continues licking Ben.
“What are you doing here, Mr Biggs. Where’s…” He stares at her, as she slowly appears from behind the bushes.
His Claire.
Dear Claire.
Just then he notices two falling stars so close, it looked like they just missed the roof of the house. Then a third that definitely landed not too far away.
Claire notices too, but was more focused on Ben.
She smiles.
Ben stares and smiles too.
“Claire.”
And we have, (from of old), adorned the lowest heaven with Lamps, and We have made such (Lamps) (as) missiles to drive away the Evil Ones, and have prepared for them the Penalty of the Blazing Fire.
Surah Mulk (The Kingdom) 67:5
حب
“Be a dear and fetch me another roll of yarn, please hon,” says Sarah Jones as she takes a sip of her chamomile tea.
“Make sure you get the turquoise, not the blue or green. They’re not the same. You’ll spot it easy enough. You left your eyes in the kitchen, you’ll need them.”
She was busy knitting in the den of their ground floor apartment, dressed in a warm, pink, three-quarter sleeve cotton duster with her cream shawl draped across her shoulders.
Bob smiles.
“My sweet Sarah, when are you joining me on the porch?” He kisses her lightly on the forehead as he heads into the kitchen to get his spectacles, before heading to the built-in cupboard in the hallway.
He returns with a new ball of yarn.
“Sorry, love. Let me join you now. Be a dear and take this. It’s coming along nicely, but the shell took forever. I dread that I might not be done in time. My fingers are so stiff and refuse to listen.”
Bob eyes her curiously.
“You’ll be done in plenty. Come let me help you up.”
He plants his feet firmly on the carpet and supports his wife as she gets off the high wooden chair.
“Give us a kiss, before my wife sees us,” Bob jokes.
Sarah turns.
She gently puts her hand to his cheek and admires him for a while. Her grayish-green eyes lovingly peer into his. She smiles and gently presses her lips to meet his.
“Come, let’s go.”
Slowly they make their way to the veranda at the back of their home. The backyard wasn’t big. A small patch of grass started at the edge of the wooden deck. Small flower pots were neatly lined against the far back fence, mostly different colored carnations, golden marigolds and a few blue as well as pink orchids.
A birdhouse hung from the heart shaped arch of the porch edge. The arch a spectacular sight of green and orange as trumpet vine covered most of the wooden structure.
The sun was about to set. Sarah takes her seat by the small stand as Bob heads into the kitchen. He returns with a tray of homemade ginger snaps and a fresh pot of tea.
“You’ve been at it since the crack of dawn. Thought you’re gonna stay in bed a tad longer this morning. You were restless all night.”
He pours them both some tea and takes his seat next to his wife.
Sarah sighs. She stares at Bob, eyeing him over her glasses.
“The pain was unbearable. I will have to get something else from Dr Brown. This osteoarthritis is a nasty business. She puts her knitting down, rubs her fingers and takes a sip of her tea.
“Not too much of that, Bob, please. You know better.”
She shakes her head disapprovingly as he adds his fourth spoon of sugar to his tea.
“Some sweetness for the bitter chill, sweet Sarah.”
Sarah laughs.
She takes her knitting and spreads it open across her lap. She gestures for him to look.
“You remember this?” She points to the brown-branded, spiral-horn sea shell that was the featured art of the quilt she was painstakingly knitting.
“No. Should I?” says Bob plainly. He takes another ginger snap.
Sarah smiles and nods her head.
“How could you forget, Bob?” Sarah smiles sincerely.
“I am old, Sarah, I forget.”
“Wish you’d remember that when you keep reminding me that you can still think for yourself.” She eyes him over her spectacles.
She continues.
“I’m not upset, dear. Just sad that you can’t share in the memories no more. The many tans we had, the turquoise waters. You brought me this when you went for a walk while I read.”
“Our 30th anniversary?” Bob asks with a frown.
“31st,” says Sarah pleased. “The kids sent us to Florida, so sweet.”
“I can’t remember that, try as I might.” Bob stares off into the sky.
“To be honest, how could you?” Sarah takes a ginger snap and takes a small bite and savors it in her mouth.
She sighs.
“You slipped into a diabetic coma. It is me that forgets. Sorry, love.”
Bob rests a hand on hers.
“Sweet, Sarah.” He kisses her hand and gently rubs it.
/> “We celebrated so much that we got careless. And you? Stubborn as always.” She reminisces.
“You came running to me with the shell. I was so focused on your bleeding toe, that I didn’t hear a word you said about the horn and how it reminded you of a trumpet. It was chaos.”
Bob closes his eyes and appears to be collecting his thoughts.
“The more you wanted to baby me, the more I told you that I can take care of myself. You were such a pain. I remember now.” Bob laughs.
“Strange. That day I thought I lost you. I kept the shell as a reminder; a last gift from you, if I may be frank. Guess that’s why I’m doing this, ‘cause I’m grateful for these extra years after that day.”
“Always so gloomy, Sarah. Can’t we enjoy the last bit of sunshine?” He winks at her.
Sarah smiles.
“Any news from Jill? I really need that recipe. Peter-John was adamant. Quite a forceful young man when he wants to be.” A smile plays across her face.
“You said it. I’ve always been fond of him. Drew’s blessed to have them all. They’re really like family.”
He smiles.
“No news from Jill though. Put your mind at ease. She’ll send you the apple pie recipe when she’s back in Toronto. There’s still plenty of time for you to get it to them.” He kisses her hand again.
“I got mail from Pam though. She found this homemade remedy that apparently aids with the treatment of diabetes, even reverses it completely.” Bob eyes Sarah.
“Really? Must be expensive. You’re meds already cost a fortune. And with this new health care, I really don’t know.”
Bob smiles.
“No, it’s nothing expensive. Simple ingredients: wheat, barley, black seeds and tree gum.”
Bob takes in Sarah’s skeptical look.
“Sounds too good to be true.” She continues with her knitting.
Bob sighs softly.
“I did do a bit of research. No real evidence of the doctor, but many blogs are saying that the concoction works and succeeded in reducing sugar