60
Abbas Jamil
Abbas Jamil grabbed the pack of cigarettes from his nightstand, shoved one into his mouth and lit it with his Bic. He picked up the phone and hit the memory button that rang Yusuf Tanura. When Yusuf didn’t answer after seven rings Abbas began to worry. They had one hour to dress, pack, and get to the airport, a twenty minute ride at this early morning hour. Twelve rings. Still no answer. He had talked to Yusuf earlier in the day and knew Yusuf had a date with a dancer. Abbas didn’t think Yusuf was out because he invited his date over for dinner. He blew smoke at his alarm clock and watched the second hand tick away.
Seventeen rings. Abbas suspected he had her in bed and was jamming it into her. He dragged deeply from his cigarette and coughed. His lungs hadn’t cleared yet
