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“You sure about this?” Salim can hear Jason’s voice echo through the phone. “You don’t think it’s gonna be awkward?”
“After all you and I have been through, nothing is awkward to me.” Salim replied. In his new home in London, the afternoon sun glistened softly against the glass windows. Salim could hear the soft sounds of birds and people outside his kitchen window, as his tea kettle brewed over the stove. He was off from work that day, however Jason wasn’t as fortunate. His new job training new marines kept him busy, but the men always found a way to stay in touch.
“You’re one of us Salim!” Jason shouted towards Salim. “Semper Fi!” Other Military members held him back as Higher Officials from the U.S Military escorted Salim away. After months of imprisonment at Camp Slayer, the U.S. determined that Salim had to escape out of Iraq. Rumors of him working with the U.S had spread to the village. Soon it would reach the Republican Guard.
“Shut that Lieutenant up.” One of the U.S. Officers commanded. “He’s causing a scene.”
“This way.” One official spoken to him in Arabic, tugging him. “Make a move and we will shoot you.”
“Salim!” Jason kept shouting out. “Salim!”
Salim tried to turn his head but the rifle pointing at his head pressed into his skin. All he can do was laugh darkly and threw a menacing glare at the Official.
“You’re gonna be ok Salim! I’ll make sure you’ll see Zain!” Jason’s shouts reached Salim’s ears but soon the older man heard more shouting and Jason’s protesting to not go. All Salim could do was continue walking to the awaiting helicopter.
Before a bag draped over Salim’s head, he pulled close to the opening and caught Jason’s enraged and pleading face one last time.
Than his world went dark.
Months flew by and before Salim could blink his asylum paperwork become official. He was free.
Once Salim exited the Detention Center, Zain rushed towards him, tears streaming down his face seeing his father alive. Overwhelmed with emotion, Salim felt himself shake with tears and he quickly ran to hug his son. Zain rambled in Arabic how much he missed him, how scared he was. All the older man could do was apologize and squeeze Zain tighter. After a few minutes, Zain pulled away and dug out a small phone. He handed it over to Salim with tenderness. “This is for you.” Zain explained, drying his eyes with a free hand. “I was told to give this to you.”
And before Salim could ask, the phone started to ring. Stunned, Salim looked down and seeing the all too familiar name he happily laughed.
JASON KOLCHECK
Smiling at the memory, Salim pressed against the phone, his voice gentle and calm. “Jason, I can’t wait to see you again.” He shifted his weight and noticed a bird flying past the window.
“Missing me already?” Jason teased back at him. Salim heard Jason’s feet shuffle what he figures was in the kitchen, the sound of coffee brewing over the phone. “Damn, can’t get enough of me Salim?” Jason flirted, his southern drawl creeping into his speech. Salim raised his eyebrows over the taunt, but a memory popped into his head. “How needy.”
Oh. So that is how he wants to play this.
“Needy as you say?” Salim motioned his gaze down at a recent photograph of him and Zain. Their faces smiling brightly as they stood in front of the famous Bridge, not long after Salim settled in England. “How you already forgotten what you did when I first arrived in London?” Salim sassed back. Leaning against the wall, he added, “How many times did you call me every day?” Biting back a laugh as he heard Jason started to chuckle, his heart clenching at hearing the other’s soft laugher through the phone. “You are mistaken. You are the needy one.”
“Shut up!”
“You know, Zain kept counting all the times you called.” Salim stressed to him, stifling back a laugh. “He even has a journal for it.”
“Of course, he did-” Salim heard the cups clatter against something metal and Jason’s footsteps retreating to another room. The phone clattered and scuffled on something hard, but Jason’s voice was still clear. “Had to make sure that you weren’t getting into trouble.” Jason retorted, but Salim can tell that Jason’s tone was weak. “Your Iraqi ass can’t handle things without me there.”
“Keep telling yourself that.”
“Whatever.” Salim couldn’t help but laugh, his deep voice lingering in the air. He listened intently as Jason shuffled through his apartment, the sound of military boots thumping every chance he had. “You love it.” Jason replied, his voice lightened and playful.
“I do.” Salim confirmed confidently, feeling his heart hammering in his chest. Silence fell between the two men for a few moments. It was comforting, but Salim couldn’t bear it any
“Jason.” He started to say, hearing Jason fell silent on the other end.
“Yeah?”
Swallowing, Salim steady his breath and spoke. “I really can’t wait to see you again.” Salim gripped the phone a little tighter, “I am counting away the suns and stars until I see you.”
So I can hold you and make love with you, His lustful thoughts seeped into his mind, but Salim held back his tongue.
“I miss you too Salim. We have a lot to catch up on.” Jason’s soft voice replied. The sounds of keys jingled through the phone and Jason cursed. “Shit. Listen, I hate to do this, but I gotta go. Fuckin' Instructors can’t keep their Marines in fuckin' line so they’re callin’ me to go help.”
“I understand. Have a good day at work.” Salim comforted Jason. He checked his watch and winced at how long they chatted. “I apologize, I kept you on the phone for too long. I hope you won’t be late.” Salim ventured to the living room to rest. Their families’ pictures displayed on the table; Salim’s family tapestry hung on the wall with pride.
“I’m sorry Baba, I can only bring a few items from home once Jason told me what happened.” Zain explained once Salim entered the small new home for the first time. “We managed to pack a few pots and pans, your tapestry, and pictures of us before I left.” Zain briefly added, helping his father to sit on the couch. Softly smiling, Zain leaned into his father’s shoulder, “Your friend was very loud, rude when he arrived at our home. Shouting at those idiot Americans but to me?” he huffed out a laugh recalling the packing process, “He was kind. From packing all the way to seeing me fly out of here, he treated me with such kindness.”
“Quit actin like your ass is bothersome to me.” Jason reassured. Salim chuckled at the American’s choice of words. “-those fuckers can get over themselves. Callin’ me on my day off, right before I have to leave to!”
“It seems like, they keep you, as you say, on your toes?” Salim teased at the American, “How else can they evaluate their new Instructor?”
“They can leave me the fuck alone. That way I can focus on packin’ and flyin’ out to see you.” Jason’s confident voice answered back. Salim shook his head and sighed, a small blush forming on his face.
This damn American.
His American
“I will let you go now.” Salim muttered quietly, this time ending the conversation before Jason kills himself in a car crash. “I will see you in a few days’ time.”
“Get ready for the biggest American hello from me. Jason replied, his tone softer now that the conversation focused by to them. “Goodbye Salim.”
“I look forward to it.” Salim hummed, His smile giddy and excited. “Until we meet again.”
The phone ended with a click and Salim slumped back on the couch with a sigh.
“That him baba?” Zain asked gently. He entered the home with his school bag and books nestled into his hands. “Was that him?” Zain cautiously asked.
“Yes, my son.” Salim gently replied, speaking again in their native tongue. He reached over to take a sip of his abandoned tea; the scent of spices wafted in the air. “Soon you will meet Jason.”
“I’ll admit. I am wary of him.” Zain peered at his father with concern. “It was nice at first that he helped us, but now?” He lowered his books and bag before settling down next to his father. “Baba...you don’t think he’ll-“
“Jason wouldn’t turn me back to Saddam if that’s what you’re thinking.” Salim gently comforted his son. “Things are different now. He’s not what you think.” Salim softly brushes his fingers against his son’s face and leaned in to kiss his forehead. “He’s not what we grew up learning about.”
“Still, I worry for you.” Zain pulled back and stared intently at him. “I want to be happy for you. Honestly!” He turned his face away a bit before uttering what he really thought. “It’s just strange, having someone like him coming here. Seeing us Iraqi people after the war. A trigger happy American, but now it’s fine?!” Zain rubbed his face. “It’s all so strange but,” Turning his head, Zain looked at his father, his voice small and now worried. “You’re happy. He makes you happy.”
A somber smile morphed on Salim’s face; he knew what Zain was referring to. “I know.” He embraced Zain in a warm hug. “I know what you’re thinking.”
“…. I don’t want you to get hurt again.” Zain’s muffled voice spoke. His head buried into his father’s shoulder, just like he was a small child again. “That’s all.”
Salim hugged tighter.
One week later, Heathrow Airport: London, England
Dozens of people hurried across the terminal as flights left and arrived at the airport. Salim and Zain patiently sat away from the ticket booths, standing far off from everyone while watching the airport boards. They observed each person while they quietly waited for their American’s flight to land.
“I wonder if he got lost.” Zain pipped in Arabic to his father. Salim was about to reply when a women happened to walk past them and gave them a funny look. Salim returned a cold hard stare while Zain looked down at the ground, muttering apologies in Arabic. The women blushed at Salim’s intense stare, mumbled something under her breath and wandered away. Salim leaned back, content that she did not engage further while Zain lowered his voice. “This is a big place.”
“His plane is set to arrive soon.” Salim checked his watch for the thirteen time since they arrived. “We will still wait.” Salim replied, his heart hammering loudly as the clock ticked away. He steadied his breathing and brushed his hands together, “He will come.”
He can’t believe that this is happening
Zain reached over and interlocked his fingers with his father’s. “I know.” He reassured him, squeezing his hand for comfort. The two men fell silent again, moments passed but they didn’t let go.
Then suddenly the nearest board for Arrivals and Departures blinked and changed. Salim slowly scanned over the board and paused seeing a certain American flight number dashed across the board.
Salim couldn’t move, his body now deciding to not function. His hands shaking, his heart thumping louder and louder. He was getting nervous, but he was so excited. He squeezed his son’s hand tighter.
Standing up, Salim tugged Zain to follow and soon the men headed off to the baggage claim. They brisked past people who just arrived rush off to find their bags, who reunited with their loved ones, or ventured out in the world solo.
Each second passed, each person passed but they weren’t Jason. Salim pushed on.
“Baba. I don’t-” Zain attempted to talk but Salim hushed him. Jason had to be here.
“Baba?” Zain repeated, now gripping his father’s shoulder, but Salim brushed him off, scanning around the room. Where was he?
But then a voice shouted in the air
“SALIM!”
Salim quickly spun around. There, standing with his military bag, boots, that hat, wearing the biggest grin he could muster up, waving a hand madly in the air. Jason
“Baba!” Zain frantically tossed his head back and his eyes widened. “Baba!” He turned his father around with a tug on his shoulder. “Look!”
Salim started to smile, and soon laughter bubbled out from him. He gazed lovely at his son, Zain smiling softly along and urging him to go. On the far end of the terminal, Jason gathered his bag and walked, well jogged to him. Salim wasted no time.
He started to briskly walk and couldn’t take his eyes off him. “Jason!” He called out.
“Salim you son of a bitch!” Jason greeted; he was so close!
Almost there!
Jason was towards him when suddenly a little girl’s pink barbie suitcase stuck out in front of him. Jason shouted as he tripped and fell face forward on the ground. The little girl and her father gasped and attempted to help Jason up, but Salim reached him first. He kneeled to help his American up.
Gently, Salim gripped Jason’s hands and help him stand upright. “That was some big American greeting there ack! “Salim humored at Jason but he couldn’t finish his sentence as Jason wrapped his arms around him. Jason laughed and tightly held him in that warm embrace. Blushing, Salim returned the hug and buried his face into Jason’s shoulder.
Jason slowly shifted his hands and caressed Salim’s head carefully, soothing out his hair in small gentle brushes. He turned his head by a small inch and whispered only for Salim to hear. “I’m here.”
“Jason.” Salim gripped tighter, earning a breathless laugh from the American. “Hello again.”