Чужак в чужой стране

           Regretfullyheleftthem,afteragainpettingHoneyBunandtellingherthesamething,andjustassincerely.

           TheyleftandatonceranintoFatima’smother."Bosshoney!"Shekissedhimandpattedhistummy."Iseethey’vekeptyoufed."

           "Some.I’vejustbeeninsmoochingwithyourdaughter,She’sanangeldoll,Miriam."

           "Prettygoodbaby,huh?We’regoingtosellherdowntoRio–getafancypriceforher."

           "IthoughtthemarketwasbetterinYemen?"

           "Stinkysaysnot.Gottosellhertomakeroom."Sheputhishandonherbelly."Feelthebulge?StinkyandIaremakingaboynow–gotnotimefordaughters."

           "Maryam,"Patriciasaidchidingly,"that’snowaytotalk,eveninfun."

           "Sorry,Patty.Iwon’ttalkthatwayaboutyourbaby–AuntPattyisalady,andgroksthatI’mnot."

           "Igrokthatyouaren’t,too,youlittlehellion,ButifFatimaisforsale,I’llgiveyoutwiceyourbestcommercialoffer."

           "You’llhavetotakeitupwithAuntPatty;I’mmerelyallowedtoseeheroccasionally."

           "Andyoudon’tbulge,soyoumaywanttokeepheryourself.Letmeseeyoureyes.Mmm?couldbe."

           "Is.AndMikehasgrokkeditmostcarefullyandtellsStinkyhe’smadeaboy."

           "HowcanMikegrokthat?Impossible.I’mnotevensureyou’repregnant-"

           "Oh,sheis,Jubal,"Patriciaconfirmed.

           Miriamlookedathimserenely."Stilltheskeptic,Boss.MikegrokkeditwhileStinkyandIwerestillinBeirut,beforeweweresurewehadcaught.SoMikephonedus.