Around eleven in the morning, Hana is putting the grocery away when the phone rings. Farhad hastily says:
"I get it mom."
Hana feels that perhaps her son expects a phone call. Sam also calls on Sunday morning. while she is about to leave the room, Farhad says:
"It is for you, mom."
"Who is it?" Hana thinks it should be Sam.
"Mario!' Farhad says with a smile on his face.
"Oh, no!" She is frustrated that Mario is not giving up since she knows that a friendship or relationship with Mario is impossible for her first because of the way she is brought up and second because of her children.
"Com on, mom, it is all right."
She blushes which can not be hidden from her son's eyes. She goes to the phone reluctantly. Mario, in his persistent way tries to convince her for seeing each other that evening. She, all confused, listens to him while she is feeling her son's piercing eyes on her.
"What does he want, mom?"
She puts her hand on the mouth piece of the phone.
"He wants to see me this evening."
"Say yes." Farhad says.
Hana feels how much her son has changed from a son to more like a friend. His words gives her a courage she never had.
"All right, Mario, six o'clock."
However, she is still not sure if her son's apparent change is a trap or real, or if he wants to test her so he can criticize her later.
When Mario shows up at six o'clock, Farhad invites him inside, and she notices the immediate rapport between them. She is happy. Her sons have never had a man figure in their lives. If Mario becomes a friend of family, he could be a good role model for her sons. Nonetheless, in the car, she does not know if this move is a right one. When Mario asks her what she like to do, she has to ask him to repeat his question.
"I don't know. I shouldn't do this. I am very upset."
"Why? What is it?" Mario asks.
She is depressed and remembers her sister's letter. As she starts talking about her uncle, slowly relaxation contents her; and she vehemently tells Mario about Behroz. He listens without interrupting her. He understands her desperate need for a friend. After driving for awhile, when she has discharged all her emotional outburst completely, Mario stops the car in front of an Italian restaurant.
"This is one of my favorite Italian restaurant in Dallas. I thought we eat here and then go to a movie. I don't need reservation because they all know me and on Sundays they are not very crowded. If you don't like it, we don't have to go."
Hana nods her head.
"I like Italian food."
In the restaurant, before their meals are served, she indulges the delicious Italian bread while sipping her wine. As the wine slowly relaxes her nerve, and the tasty bread with focaccia to dip in, fills her up, she does not try anymore to escape Mario's fervid eyes and his stretching hands for holding hers.
In fact, when they are walking to the car, after the wonderful and original Italian food they had, she not only does not resist Mario's hand holding hers, she enjoys it, too.
"What movie do you like to see?"
His tone of voice awakens her from a sweet dream.
"It's late. I better get back home."
"Oh, God, it's only eight o'clock."
"I have to go to work tomorrow." Hana continues with her resistance which is actually is not. She is torn between staying with him or going home.
"I don't know. I don't feel like going to a movie." She finally says.
"How about going to my house. We can have coffee and brandy by the lake."
She remembers the reflection of moon and stars in that man- made lake.
"But it is cold."
"Okay, I take you home then."
She realizes that her resistance which really is not, making him to give up on her.
"All right, let's go to your home; but only for a little while."
To Be Continued
No comments:
Post a Comment