Murder Under the Fig Tree by Kate Jessica Raphael

Author:Kate Jessica Raphael
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: She Writes Press
Published: 2017-11-23T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

Chloe was nervous and got up early. She moved around quietly, trying not to disturb Tina, who snored softly in their closet. She went next door and insisted on paying Um Malik for four eggs from her chicken coop, ignoring the protests of “I’m like your mother!” She sipped coffee while she fried potatoes and scrambled the eggs with some processed white cheese. When everything was ready, she put it all on a tray and took it into the closet.

“Wake up, sleepyhead,” she said softly, shaking Tina’s shoulder gently. “I brought you breakfast in bed.”

“You’re sweet,” Tina said, but rolled over on her stomach and pulled the pillow over her head.

“Reem’s appointment is at one, and it’s going to take a while to get transportation on a Friday. We need to leave in an hour, and I know you’re gonna want a shower.”

“What are you talking about?” Tina moved the pillow and half-opened her eyes.

“Reem’s chemo. I arranged to borrow Bassam’s car, but we have to get to Mas’ha to pick it up. We should leave by eight, eight thirty at the latest.”

“Chloe, I didn’t know the appointment was today. I can’t go; I have plans.”

“What do you mean, you didn’t know? You were there when she made the appointment, just like I was.”

“I didn’t write it down. I’ve been so busy; I forgot, and you didn’t remind me.”

“Didn’t know I was your social secretary.” Stop being a bitch, Chloe told herself. It’s not like you never forgot an appointment. “Can’t you change your plans?”

“No, I’m sorry. I’m meeting some friends in Tel Aviv.”

“You’re going to Israel?” Chloe’s arms ached from holding the heavy tray. She put it down on the floor and sat down on her sleeping mat.

“I’m meeting them in Forty-Eight, yes.”

“Don’t be more Palestinian than thou. I grew up calling it Israel. It’ll take a while to get used to the new terminology.”

“I am more Palestinian than you.”

“Tina, I know I am not Palestinian. But that doesn’t make me a settler or something. The point isn’t what name I use for the place where Tel Aviv is. It’s that you’re going there, and you always say you hate it, and you didn’t tell me. What is it you have to do that’s so important?”

“I’m just meeting some friends.” Tina got up in one fluid movement and strode over to where her bathrobe hung on an iron hook next to the closet door. Chloe watched her walk, admiring the supple way Tina’s back curved into her butt. She felt a stirring in her crotch, which pissed her off. How could she be so aroused by someone who was blowing her off?

“Which friends?” she asked. “From work?”

“No.”

“Who, then? I don’t get what you’re being so secretive about.”

“If you really want to know, it’s a group for Palestinian lesbians. I got on their e-list a while ago, when I was still in Australia. It used to be just online, but they’ve started having meetings, and I go to them.”

“Palestinian

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.