When Stacy heard the news, she began dancing like a gypsy. Then She hugged Anna and forced her to dance with her.
"We are going to be sisters." Stacy said repeatedly.
After the excitement subsided and Stacy calmed down, Anna asked her to sit down. "I need to talk to you."
Stacy knew that every time Anna said "I need to talk to you", it meant trouble, ambiguity, and hesitation.
What is it? You're not going to change your mind, are you?"
"No, Stacy. I love Steve. I don't know how to tell my father. That is my problem."
Stacy had never thought about that. It was a problem. Living with Anna for all these time had taught her many things about culture and custom of her people. Now, she perfectly understood her friend's perplexity.
"You're right." This was the first time she was agreeing with Anna. "Lets think about it. You know Your father has changed the same way that you have changed. He has come to accept many things about you gradually. Why don't you invite him to come here for visit so he can meet Stave. I am sure, then, he finds out for himself."
"It's a good idea; but no, I can't do this. I can't be deceptive especially to my father. He needs to know before coming. I must tell him."
"I guess you're right. If any body can do it, it's you. It's not going to be easy; but you can do it. Remember how hard it was to tell him not to send you money, but you did it and he accepted it.!"
Anna practiced the conversation with her father for the entire week, what she would say, what he would say; but when finally they talked Sunday morning, it was nothing like the way she had practiced. Shahzdeh did not object or argue his daughter's decision. She did not know that her father was growing, too. She tried to read between her father's words so she could interpret them, but that was impossible. After they finished talking, she realized that her father was not hurt and he was truthful when he showed happiness. That was a joyous day in her life.
Shahzdeh came in two weeks. Stacy and Steve wanted to go to the airport with Anna, but she wanted that moment alone. They agreed. When she saw her father entering the terminal, she sighed. He had aged beyond belief since Aria's death, last year. She clung to him for a long time and did not want to let go of him. She was again a little girl.
"I wish mother could come, too."
Shahzdeh smiled. "She'll come for the wedding."
After getting his luggage, they went out. It was a hot July afternoon. He looked tired and old. "You look tired. Are you okay, dad?"
"It's just the jet leg. I'll be fine."
In the car, Shahzdeh listened to the sound of Anna's old car. "You need a new car. This car is going to break down soon."
"I know dad. I am saving money for the down payment. In a few months, I'll be bale to buy a new car."
Shahzdeh thought for a moment and said what he was fighting not to say: "Will you let me to buy you a car?'
Anna was not surprised. He was invading her independence again. But on the other hand, he looked so old, so very old.
"Yes, dad, if it makes you happy."
In Anna's apartment, Shahzdeh felt he would be a burden. They only had two bedrooms, Anna's was very small. After cleaning up and resting a little, Shahzdeh, who was mostly self educated and spoke fairly good English, said: " Anna, why don't you get me a room in a hotel close by. I don't want to be a burden."
Anna looked at Stacy. Somehow she expected her friend to answer this. She did not want her father in a hotel. Stacy read her mind and answered instead of Anna: "You're not a burden at all. We can manage here." Stacy said. "We want you here."
Shahzdeh retorted: "You have a Small apartment. I can be here all day and go to the hotel at night to sleep."
He might have been right; but none of the friends wanted this. Stacy found out the strong empathy between father and daughter right away. She retorted back: "You can take Anna's bedroom. She and I take mine which is bigger. It's not going to kill us."
Shahzdeh could not argue anymore with the two strong women, but he suggested that he would take the sofa and they keep their bedrooms. Everybody finally came to agreement. Shahzdeh came to like Stacy right away.
Anna, Stacy, and Steve had discussed that it was not proper for Steve to drop by the first night of Shahzdeh's stay. However, Shahzdeh was impatient to visit his future son-in-law. Being tired could not stop him of seeing his daughter's choice.
"Is your brother coming here tonight?" He asked Stacy.
The two friends looked at each other. Anna blushed.
"We thought you need to rest tonight. You'll see him tomorrow."
"I'm fine. What do you think I am, an old man? Why don't you call him. I like to meet him." He was trying to be humorous.
Stacy did not argue and went to bedroom to call Steve.
Shahzdeh had gone a long way from dawn of his life to the dusk. he had never thought of a day like this. He had earned a growth, it had been held for him, as his daughter was growing. In his discordance, he saw it now in the light of his daughter's life, that he also belonged to the majority of the people who wanted to live. He knew now that he could not change others and had to rectify himself to them.
In this compelling moment of his life, when he had decided on a very important issue, his actions were ruled not only by cloudless consciousness, but also by an internal inclination which flew from his deepest natural groundwork. He was completely a new man; and he owed this new him to his daughter and her actions.
To Be Continued
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