by Lili Tufel
“Calm down, man. I’ve never seen you like this before. You’re gonna sabotage this if you don’t calm your nerves. This isn’t your first rodeo. You should know better.”
Dallas looked up at the full moon and focused inward, and on the plan, going over the number of armed men Javi had counted. He drew short controlled breaths.
Javi snapped his fingers and motioned to Johnny. “John, take my binoculars and wait for my signal. You see over there?” Javi positioned the boy’s head pointing south. “That’s the main tent. On my signal, tell the men to release the vipers.”
“Got it,” Johnny studied the movements around the main tent. He buried his elbows into the sand.
Dallas and Javi trotted across the wadi. They split up as soon as they reached the camp.
* * * * *
Abby sat on a silk pillow over a large rug on the ground. She looked at the surrounding tapestries and embroidered textiles of the lavish tent. Abby’s hands and feet were covered with henna in intricate designs. Her neck and wrists were adorned with jewelry. A gold embroidered shawl covered her head and face. Sitting next to Abby were her bridesmaids.
Maurice walked into the tent wearing a long white gown and escorted by armed men. “You look like a Persian Princess Abigail.”
“Oh joy,” unable to contain her sarcasm.
“Look who’s here.” An old man with an unkempt wiry beard entered the tent dwelling. “You remember my father Afshin Shahrivar?”
Abby made a clumsy attempt to stand with her voluminous garment. Her servants took hold of her arms through her large open sleeves and helped her to her feet. Abby’s face grew pale.
“Excuse me, Mister um—” She swallowed hard unable to pronounce his name. “Maurice, I desperately need to use a restroom.”
Maurice looked around giving his guests a tight-lipped smile. “Abigail has been ill since she landed.” Then motioning to Abby he said, “Take your servants outside along with you. My guards will escort you.” He cleared his throat and looked at his father, “Father, I know you are looking forward to the nubile belly dancers.” And he motioned to the guards at the entrance, “Bring them in.”
Some desert dwellers outside the main tent played their zithers hand strung on bamboo tubes. Abby rushed towards their large bonfire and sobbed.
Two armed men stood guard behind her. Abby covered her mouth with her shawl and walked to the edge of the camp vomiting uncontrollably. Dallas came out from behind a nearby camel and lunged at the armed men killing both with his knife.
Abby wiped her face with her shawl and threw it on the ground.
“Are you alright baby girl?”
“Dallas?” She turned around and leaped into his arms. “I missed you so much, Dallas. I was so scared.” Abby dug her face into his chest and sobbed. “His father’s in there. Shahrivar’s in there with him.”
Dallas caressed her adorned hair. “It’s ok. Javi and I are gonna take care of them once and for all. Let’s get you to a safe place.”
While running across the wadi, Dallas looked back and noticed Abby’s servants had been following close behind.
“They’re ok. They’re my friends.” Abby grabbed her layered garment picking it up above her knee as she ran.
They stopped next the BMW. Dallas took Abby’s hand, “Wait here until Javi and I come back,” and he leaned in to kiss her but she kept her mouth shut.
“I’m so sorry, I’ve been really sick.”
“It’s ok.” He kissed her forehead. “I love you, Abby.” He brushed her cheek with his thumb.
“I love you, Dallas.”
Javi signaled for the venomous snakes. Johnny sent the men. Dallas followed close behind.
Chaos erupted in the camp as the locals screamed and swung lit torches to keep the snakes away. The belly dancers’ loud shrieks echoed across the sand. Using a semi automatic gun Javi opened fire on the men inside the tent. Maurice slipped outside and sprinted towards a jeep, leaving his father Afshin Shahrivar behind. As Afshin headed for an exit, a snake grabbed hold of his leg injecting its lethal venom. He fell across the carpet as another viper coiled itself on his arm and strangled his neck.
Dallas raced after Maurice and got into another jeep right behind him. Dallas slammed on the breaks to let Javi jump inside. While chasing Maurice up a sand dune Dallas down shifted and Javi immediately strapped on his seatbelt. “You should-a let me drive. We’re freakin’ dune bashing.”
“Piece-of cake, I use to go off-road mudding back home all the time.”
Maurice sped down the sand dune and back up another. Dallas and Javi followed. Thunder-like rumbles from the exhaust of both jeeps pierced the desert air.
“I hate roller coasters.” Javi grabbed the dash.
“Yeah, well I hate snakes. That didn’t stop you from using them as your weapon of choice.”
“Hey, they killed Shahrivar. So I think it’s a pretty genius idea.”
“Genius idea, Javi, using those damn vipers…let me guess, now you’re gonna start driving around town in a Viper?” Dallas cut the steering wheel in a sharp left turn and watched Maurice’s jeep do the same.
Maurice overshot the top of the steep hill and his jeep careened down out of control flipping repeatedly. Dallas slowed down carefully descending the steep hill. At the foot of the hill they jumped out of the jeep and ran towards Maurice’s upside down vehicle while their steel toe boots sank deep into the sand slowing their pace. A spark ignited Maurice’s car transmitting an earsplitting explosion. Javi and Dallas brought their arms to their face and turned to look away as the flames lit up the night sky.
* * * * *
Dallas drove the BMW into the parking garage of his cousin’s Dubai apartment. He opened the passenger door and helped Abby out of the car untangling the long gown. “Are you alright?”
“I just need to take a long hot shower.” Abby tilted her head back and closed her eyes. “I am so grateful to you guys right now. I wish I were feeling better. I would have definitely wanted to celebrate.”
“We’ll celebrate once we get back home, right Javi?” Dallas gave a dimpled smile.
Johnny jumped out of the back seat, “Take me to America with you. I wanna go with you guys. Come on, please?”
“We can’t take you with us, Johnny.” Dallas pressed the elevator button.
“You guys want me to end up like those guys on that boat? William isn’t even my father and he’s never around.”
Abby wiped the smeared mascara from under her eyes and leaned against the elevator wall catching a glimpse of Dallas’ stare then looked at the kid, “Are you talking about the guys that gave my servant girls—I mean my friends, a ride home? They seemed pretty nice.”
“The kid is right, that boat is no place for him.” Javi interjected.
Dallas held the elevator door as everyone exited. “Yeah Javi, I can just hear your conversation with Jasmine.” He imitated Jasmine’s voice, “Oh Javi, you adopted a what, a puppy?” He cleared his throat and imitated Javi’s voice as they all walked down the corridor. “Uh, no Jasmine, I adopted a fifteen year old boy.”
“That’s messed up bro.” Javi walked into the apartment shaking his head.
“Guys come on, I was joking.” Dallas gave Johnny a pat on the back.
* * * * *
Chapter Ten
The kitchen timer buzzed. Javi grabbed a pot of boiling pasta while Johnny stirred the sauce. “So Johnny, you know how to make spaghetti? That’s impressive.” Javi poured the boiling water over the strainer.
“And I knew how to get you weapons, but you didn’t believe me.”
“Look, I believed you. I just didn’t want to encourage you to pursue that kind of life. You’re too young to be messing with those people.”
“Do you have any kids Javi? You would make a good father.” Johnny brought the wooden spoon to his lips and tasted the sauce.
“You think so? I think I’m a little too tough. I’ve been tough on you.” Javi wiped his hand
s with the dishtowel.
“Yeah a little,” Johnny chuckled and grabbed the plates.
Abby cracked open the bathroom door. “Dallas?”
“I’m right here.” He was inches from the door. “Do you need something? Are you alright?”
She adjusted her wrapped bath towel. The intricate henna designs remained visible on her hands and feet. “Come in here for a sec I wanna tell you something.”
“Sure.” He walked into the steamy bathroom still wearing his boots.
“Sit down,” she lowered the toilet lid.
He chuckled and sat down resting his arms on his thighs.
“I’m pregnant.”
He jolted back up hitting the towel rack. “That animal touched you?”
“No, no…he didn’t touch me.” She reached out and grabbed his bicep. “It’s your baby, our baby.”
“Are you sure you’re pregnant?”
“The whole time I’ve been here, I’ve been so nauseous and so sick. And a couple of days ago, one of my servants—my friends, she snuck in a pregnancy test and…” She sighed. “It came out positive.”
Dallas leaned against the wall and placed his hand across his heart. “You mean I almost lost you and my baby?”
Abby stood still as water trickled from her hair down her shoulders. He scooped her into his arms and kissed her. He gripped her brown hair and let his tongue savor her mouth and then her neck.
She gave a small hop and his hands caught the back of her thighs. He slowly sat her atop the sink and her towel fell to the floor. He removed his shirt and felt her silky skin press against his muscular body.
* * * * *
Dallas sat upright on the bed. A beam of moonlight illuminated Abby’s porcelain skin. Unable to sleep, Dallas got up from the bed careful not to wake her. He grabbed a notebook out of his duffle bag. He turned to a blank page and began to write.
Abby,
It’s late in the evening and your body rests peacefully at my side. I feel inspired by the beauty radiating from your face. In your sleep, you bring your leg out of the blanket. My fingers follow every line, every curve eternally embedding your figure in my mind. You are as strong as a soldier yet delicate to my touch. I place my head upon your consoling breasts and you ignite in me an unquenchable fire.
My spirit grew weary but my devotion to you remained. I cherished the dream of feasting on the banquet of your delicious love. And now the splendor of our one flesh lights up the night sky.
This letter is an explosion from the deepest recesses of my inflamed heart. I want to stop time and capture forever your purity and inner light. Your essence stirs my entire being. Mere words are not enough to quench my thirst for you. I want to exalt you as my woman, the mother of my child. In this land of royals and kings, I exalt you as my queen.
I love you,
Dallas
He tore the page out of the notebook folding it in half. He slid the letter under Abby’s pillow.
* * * * *
A balmy breeze came in through the half-open window. The midday sun gleamed in the cloudless sky. Dallas lay flat on the bed tangled in the sheets exposing his bare back and legs. His arms hugged the pillow beneath. Abby held the folded letter in her hand as she kissed the top of his ear then his shoulder.
He opened one eye and squinted. “What time is it?” He stretched.
“It’s almost noon sleepy-head.” She held a corner of the sheet over her naked body.
“I couldn’t sleep last night.” He stretched again, turned around and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her belly button making her giggle.
There was a knock on the bedroom door. Javi called out from the other side, “Just informing you too lovebirds that Abigail has a plane to catch at fifteen hundred.”
“What about her passport?” Dallas sat at the edge of the bed holding the blanket over his waist.
“I already took care of that for you. I don’t mess around brotha.” Javi placed a hand on the outside doorframe. “Abby, I’m taking you to Miami Beach to stay with your sister and me, alright?”
Abby wrapped herself in the sheet and sat next to Dallas. “You’re not coming with us, Dallas?”
He placed his elbows on his legs as if praying. “I gotta go back.”
“You’re going back to Afghanistan, for how long?” Abby put a hand on his bare back.
Javi’s voice got louder. “Listen, Johnny and I are gonna go grab some lunch. Be ready when I get back.”
“She’ll be ready.” Dallas ran his hand over his crew cut.
Abby stared at him. Somewhere in her inner consciousness was an awareness of the front door of the apartment slamming shut. Gusts of wind blew the curtains bringing with them sand and dust.
“For how long, Brian?” She insisted.
“Brian?” He ran his hand over his face. “I haven’t heard anyone call me that in a long time.” He grabbed her waist and brought her closer.
She untangled the sheet and straddled him. He buried his head in her chest then raised it to look into her eyes. “I have to be there for another six months. I don’t have a choice.”
Abby slowly exhaled. “I’ll wait for you. I love you with all my heart.” She pressed her lips against his and slowly rocked her body.
He felt the warmth of her breath in his ear while he made love to her. And when he was finished, he whispered, “I loved you first.”
* * * * *
Summer came to an end but the humid air had no intention of disappearing and lingered way into the cooler autumn nights. And every idle moment brought with it a surge of anxiety, and her only companion, a cell phone that followed even as she drew a bath. Abby yearned for just a few moments of his soothing voice to let her know he had made it through another mission. So she kept busy between doctor visits and Maid of Honor errands.
Inside the Miami Beach house, the clarity from every storm resistant window brought a view of the ocean. Javi, who had been busy installing a security system, tested the cameras at the front gate. “Hey Sam, come over here and stand in front of this camera while I check the monitor.”
Samantha, standing nearby holding a potato chip canister, replied with a mouth full of crumbs, “Ok.”
Javi sprinted over to the monitor and called out over the intercom, “Hey there, can you hear me?”
“Yeah, I can hear you.” Samantha smiled at the camera holding up a potato chip. “Did you know that you have to smile to eat a whole Pringle?” She turned the potato chip arch facing up and smiled while stuffing it in her mouth. “See.”
Standing at the granite island in the kitchen, Jasmine poured espresso into a porcelain teacup while Abby peeled an orange cutting it into wedges. The open windows let in a salty afternoon breeze and a peaceful hum from the ocean.
“Thanks for agreeing to be my Maid of Honor, Abby.” Jasmine sipped her black coffee. “I know it hasn’t been easy being there for me through all these crazy appointments with the florist and the baker.” Jasmine’s eyes widened. “And not to mention helping me pick out a dress.” Jasmine brought a hand to Abby’s shoulder. “I feel like I’ve really gotten to know you. You’re one of the most dependable people I’ve ever met.”
“Isn’t that what sisters are supposed to do? Besides you’ve been there for me…with all the OBGYN visits.” Abby caressed her belly and looked out the window into the ocean.
Jasmine turned to the same window and examined a large boat with sightseeing tourists. “Javi spoke to dad this morning. Dad’s flying in early for the wedding.”
Turning her back to the tourist vessel, Abby raised an eyebrow voicing a resentment not necessarily meant for the General but an overall displeasure at being left alone for the sake of duty. “The General’s actually letting him have some time off?”
“I overheard them talking about retirement, the both of them.”
“My father is retiring? Now that’s a miracle.”
“And Javi mentioned a possible retirement also.”
“
That really is great news, Jasmine.”
On the kitchen counter, Abby’s cell phone buzzed.
“Tell Dallas I say hello.” Jasmine winked and walked away sipping her coffee.
Abby picked it up without saying a word. Dallas’s voice came on the line, “We finally got the satellite phone fixed.” His voice sounded low. “It is kind of late here though. I’m a little tired.” He stretched. “It was a pretty uneventful day. I thought about you.”
“You thought about me? Good or bad?”
“Always good baby girl.”
“I can’t imagine your day being uneventful, Dallas.”
He laughed, “Well ok…” stammering as if he needed to confess, “I…uh…almost punched an officer. I actually had to stop myself from pummeling him.”
“Oh my goodness, Dallas, what happened?”
“I was trying to defend this newbie that kept getting picked on for being a bookworm scholar, just another day at the office.” He sighed.
“You know that letter you left under my pillow was so beautiful, so romantic. Where did you learn to write like that? Sounds like you might be a bit of a scholar yourself.”
“You inspired those words, Abby. They came from my heart.” He paused. “So uh…when are you gonna send me a picture of that belly?”
“Soon, I promise. Oh, Dallas, I wish you could be here for the wedding. It’s going to be so beautiful.”
“Please don’t do this, Abby. You know I’d be there if I could. Can we talk about something else?”
“Ok.”
He was silent suppressing a bitter taste left from his two debutant sisters who sent him party invitations in their care packages. Nothing angered Dallas more than his sisters’ clear lack of sense in their endeavor to inform him of how popular he still was in society and somehow that was supposed to make him feel loved. They’re obviously not concerned about my feelings, knowing I can’t be there to attend, he thought. After one particular wedding invitation, his own mother’s second marriage, he fired off an angry email informing them that he had burned the entire package. “Look Abby, I’m gonna try to do everything I can to get the time off and be there for Javi on his big day like he’s always been there for me but you know I’d mostly be doing it to see you. I can’t make any promises though.”
