shoulders will get too many stares once we get to Jebel Hussein and I don’t want to start our life here by getting into fist fights over it. Yet I have to make her think it’s her idea. She would be the one starting the fist fight otherwise. Maybe I’ll just have Nora take her on a shopping spree. That’s it.
Nora
The party is at eight. What should I wear? Am I going to have to deal with the family about this? I sure hope not because Omar won’t understand. He won’t want me to go, but it’s not as if it’s something I haven’t done before. Mama would have let me go, no questions. When I arrive home, I will change my clothes as fast as I can. I will go out without telling anyone. That’s the best way to avoid any argument. I’m not afraid of Omar. I need to be strong. I need to defend myself. So if we get in an argument, so what? It’s not the first time.
And I haven’t said anything about his blonde wife with the exposed shoulders. I can possibly use Jessamy to let me go out to the party. I’ll get her on my side before he has a chance to say otherwise. I have to make her like my sister so I can do whatever I want without hearing anything from Omar. I know he’ll listen to her and do whatever she wants.
Maha
Oh dear. Nora is stirring up the pot before I even had a chance to finish the dishes. She’s decided to go to a party tonight. Tonight! The night her brother has come home. Allah yustour, God help us! I thought we would at least have a week before she started up with their problems.
Let me go fix the bedroom for them. Omar and Jessamy must be tired. I’ll get them in for a nap and if Nora goes, what can be done? When they wake up, I’ll just say she went out for something. I hope this night will end so fast without any problems.
Omar (to Jessamy): Mama is so good. Just as I imagined, we came home to a pot of wara dawali and my old bedroom ready for us. Hey, I told Nora that the two of you should go for a shopping trip, to buy you a few new outfits. She didn’t seem as happy as I thought she would be about it. She loves shopping. I was thinking that I’d have to make sure she gets a new outfit as well.
Jessamy: That sounds like fun. I’d love to get to know her better. She seemed kinda quiet on the way home.
Nora walks in the room. She doesn’t know that they are in the living room.
Omar: Hey! Nora. Where are you going?
Nora: Oh nowhere. I just want to go for a walk.
Omar: In this outfit? Do you honestly think I’m stupid? Where are you going really?
Nora: Honestly? My friends invited me to a party. I have to go.
Omar (calm, yet assertive): Let’s sit down and have a cup of coffee. Your party can wait.
Nora (as she continues to walk towards the door): Omar. I’m going. With or without the coffee. Don’t bother.
Omar stops Nora by getting in her way.
Omar (yelling): You are not going out. This is not Canada. I’m here and things are not going to be the way you think they should be. Mama could never say no to you. I can and I will!
Nora (yelling back): You think you can come here with your American wife and still run things the Arabi way? Think again. I’m going.
As Nora walks towards the door, Omar grabs her by the arm and starts shaking her.
Jessamy (rushing over, trying to calm things down): Omar! What the hell are you doing! Calm down. Let’s sit down and….
Omar (voice still raised): You stay out of this. You have no idea what this is about.
Omar pushes Jessamy and she lands on the floor, she hits her back on the coffee table. Nora pushes Omar, steps over Jessamy and runs out the door. Omar gets outside in time to see Nora riding away in a taxi. As Omar walks back inside, he sees his mother helping Jessamy to her feet. He takes Jessamy’s hand and leads her to the kitchen.
Omar (to Jessamy): Habibti, why don’t you go make us some tea?