On Two Feet and Wings by Abbas Kazerooni
Author:Abbas Kazerooni
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Skyscape
Published: 2014-10-20T23:00:00+00:00
NINE
The next morning I woke up later than usual. I knew that I had a trip to the shop to look forward to that day; I had a letter to write, and of course, I had to eat. For the first time, I could not bank on my father calling me. So I decided to concentrate on the things that were certainties.
I strolled downstairs in my same ripped jeans and took the usual route to Murat’s throne. To my great surprise, in his place sat a much younger man who was thin, short, and dressed in his best suit, obviously trying to impress anyone who came into the hotel. His hair was wet and brushed back. He had dark, Turkish features and an irritating, ever-present, pretentious smile.
He stood up from his chair and offered his hand. “You Abbas, yes?”
He kept shaking my hand, as if he had forgotten that he was holding it.
“Yes, I’m Abbas.”
“Very nice to meet you. I am Hussein.”
“Hello, Hussein,” I said, pulling my hand out of his. He was making me a little uncomfortable.
“Boss said I should give you tea and a backgammon board.”
“You mean Murat?”
“Yes,” he said, his smile stretching even wider. He reached under the reception counter and pulled out the backgammon board. “Please take seat, and I bring you tea.” He pointed to my sofa.
“Okay,” I said, “but I want to write a letter first, to my mother.”
“Idiot Hussein,” he said, slapping his head. “I forgot.” He immediately pulled out a stamped airmail envelope and two sheets of paper. He handed them to me, still smiling annoyingly. “Just put it back here when you’re done. Then we can start playing backgammon.”
I looked at him with a faint smile and retreated to my usual sofa next to the phone booths. I couldn’t help but stare at the telephones. I could not remember having spent a single day without seeing or talking to at least one of my parents before now.
I picked up the pen and began to write.
Dear Maman,
I hope you and Baba are well. I am really missing you both, especially you, because I have not spoken to you for a long time now. But I am behaving myself! To be honest, I am staying up quite late, but last night it was because I was waiting to see if you or Baba would call. You didn’t. I think you must have been busy. I have learned how to play backgammon, and I think I am quite good, too! I don’t have a lot to say today, because I stayed in the hotel all day yesterday. Maybe I will have more to tell you tomorrow.
Your son, Abbas
As I put the letter on the reception counter, the ever-eager Hussein jumped up with the backgammon board. “How about a game now?”
I was not really in the mood, but I felt I had to do it, so I nodded.
“Good,” he said, sounding too enthusiastic. “I’ll set it up.”
“It’s okay,” I said as I took the board from him.
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