The Mystery of Flight 1099

Chapter 2: Two Years Earlier

Chapter 2: Two Years EarlierStuart had just finished setting up his f*******: profile, having resisted doing so for years. He’d done it with little enthusiasm, as several of his friends had had their profiles hacked. But he thought it would be a good idea to promote his books a bit more, and for that reason he used his pen name. No damage could come from that, as it wasn’t tied to any personal information.

He was dismayed to find that most of the friend requests came from young Filipino boys or from young men in other third world countries. And a few from women looking for a man. He decided to delete some of the photographs of his car and his house, as they seemed to be attracting the wrong kind of people, namely, someone looking for a rich man or a daddy.

But one young man contacted him on Messenger who seemed to be a bit different. Ordinarily, Stuart would have ignored him. However, his English was very polished, and he was extremely polite. He didn’t seem to be asking for anything. Stuart didn’t even know why, but on impulse he sent him a response.

Amal answered in perfect English, and when Stuart asked him why he’d contacted him, Amal told him he wanted to find a man who would help him emigrate to England. Stuart quickly told him he couldn’t help him with that, but he’d be willing to chat with him to help him improve his English. Please understand, he continued, I can’t help you come to the States, to England, or anywhere else. But we can talk all you want.

Thank you. I’d like that, Amal responded.

What made you decide to reach out to me? Stuart asked, still wondering why he’d answered this young man, but just as curious to know why Amal had singled him out.

I guess you just seemed different, Amal answered. I just thought I’d give you a try.

Have you talked to many other men online? Stuart asked.

Not many, Amal answered. I’ve only been online a few days.

How old are you? Stuart asked. Amal looked so young in his picture.

I just turned twenty-two, came the response.

Good lord, Stuart thought. What am I doing talking to a kid twenty years younger than me? Okay, I’ll help him with his English. But that’s it.

Where do you live? Stuart asked, searching for a way to keep the conversation going, as Amal seemed somewhat shy and untalkative.

I live in Jordan, Amal answered. In Amman, the largest city.

And what do you do? asked Stuart. Do you have a job?

I work for a local market, Amal responded. I do deliveries and I also collect money once a week from customers who have accounts. My job is in the afternoons and evenings. It doesn’t earn very much, so I still live at home with my parents. Since I don’t go into work until the afternoon, I always sleep late. My mother gets mad at me sometimes. She says I sleep too much.

Sounds like a very typical twenty-two-year-old, Stuart thought. This probably won’t continue for very long, but we’ll see how it goes. What’s the harm?

Where did you learn your English? Stuart asked. It’s really quite good.

It’s taught in many schools here, as it’s become the language of the business world. I didn’t pay enough attention to learning it when I was in school, though. I found when I got a job that I wished I had. So I’ve been trying to learn more vocabulary, but I know with a language you have to have someone to converse with, to practice with. I can’t afford a teacher, so I thought I’d look online for someone to chat with. And who knows, maybe I’d make a friend out of it.

Stuart smiled at that. He’d had the same thought when he’d set up his profile on f*******:, but so far it hadn’t happened. Perhaps he had more in common with this young man than he’d first thought. He was enjoying the conversation in much the same way as if he was talking to someone in his own country.

I must go now, Amal messaged. But would you be willing, the next time we speak, to do it as a video call? I’ve seen all your pictures on your profile, but I’d like very much to actually talk, to actually see your face, and not have to wait for a printed response.

Stuart smiled. Why not? he thought. It would certainly be a lot more fun.

Sure, he answered. Same time tomorrow?

Yes, please. I’d like that. I’d like that very much, Amal responded quickly.

See you, quite literally, tomorrow, Stuart messaged.

What? asked Amal.

It means I’ll actually see you tomorrow, on camera, anyway, Stuart answered.

Oh. Okay. Yes, see you tomorrow.

* * * *

The next evening they talked on a video call.

“Wow,” said Amal. “I feel like I’m really seeing you for the first time. I’ve seen all your pictures, of course, but now I’m talking to you, and you look different.”

“Do I look better or worse?” Stuart asked.

“Better, definitely better,” Amal answered quickly.

“Well, I’m certainly glad to hear that,” Stuart shot back. “How about we get started on some of that American slang you want to learn, just in case you ever come to America. I’m sure you’ll find some words and expressions here are different from the British English you’ve learned.”

“Yes, let’s get started right away,” Amal said. Stuart was glad they were on a video call, as he could see Amal’s demeanor had changed. He no longer had the serious expression that he’d had at the beginning of the call. He was smiling now, already relaxed with his new acquaintance.

“I’ll tell you right now you’re the real thing, the genuine article,” said Stuart, his smile broadening.

“I don’t understand,” said Amal, his facial expression changing to one of confusion. “One more time, please?”

Stuart laughed. This was going to be fun. “You’re sincere. Honest. There’s nothing phony about you.”

“Oh,” said Amal, smiling. “I understand now.”

Stuart nodded. “And there’s a lot more.”

“And I want to learn all of them.” Amal was smiling ear to ear now, enjoying himself, his initial nervousness a thing of the past. They talked for another hour, then Amal said, “I want to talk with you every day.”

“Every day?” asked Stuart, surprised.

“Yes, every day. That way I’ll learn faster.”

Stuart smiled again. Amal was getting under his skin, but in a good way.

“Okay, we’ll talk as often as we can,” he said. “But it might not be every day.”

“Please, let’s try for every day. I can tell you’re going to be a good teacher. But I also like talking to you. Very much.” His handsome, expressive face had changed again to a look of complete sincerity.

“All right. We’ll try. How about tomorrow we practice some of those vocabulary words you’ve been working on? And I’ll keep dishing out the slang.”

“Dishing out?” asked Amal.

“Handing out. Giving out. See? You’re learning American slang already.”

“Yes, I am.” Amal smiled his broad, disarming smile again. His teeth were perfect, white and straight. In all the times Stuart had seen Middle Eastern men on the streets of New York, never had he seen one as stunning as Amal.

“Until tomorrow, then,” said Stuart.

“Until tomorrow,” Amal repeated, giving a little wave.

* * * *

“Tell me about your family,” Stuart said when they talked the next day.

“My father is retired,” Amal answered. “But he’s gone most of the day, wandering off in the morning to talk with his friends, so my mother is alone in the house all day. I have only one brother. He’s older, and he’s been working in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates for eight years now. He’s returned home only twice during that time. I was quite young when he left.”

“I see,” said Stuart. “That must be tough on your family, and for him as well.”

“Tough?”

“Difficult. Does everyone miss him?”

“Of course we do. But I hardly remember what it was like when he was around.”

“He couldn’t find a job in Jordan?”

“Many people from many countries go to the UAE or Qatar to earn more money. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Nigeria. It’s a common thing. We all accept it.”

“Is your brother married?” Stuart asked.

“No,” replied Amal. “But soon he’ll return to have an arranged marriage. That is my family’s custom.”

Stuart was shocked. “You still do that in your country in the twenty-first century?”

“Yes, my family still observes that custom, although things have changed somewhat in recent years and not everyone still does so,” said Amal. “And may I point out that there’s almost no divorce here, unlike your country.”

Stuart couldn’t argue that and decided to change the subject.

“So your brother will get married and go back to Abu Dhabi, leaving his wife to raise the children he’ll hardly ever see?”

“He’ll come back every two years to see them,” Amal replied. “And, of course, there’s always Skype or Messenger.”

And I guess all the children will be two years apart, Stuart thought. There are some things you can’t do on Skype.

“Will you be expected to do that one day?” Stuart asked.

“Do what? You mean have an arranged marriage? Yes, of course. But that isn’t what I want. I’m hoping to meet a man who will bring me to another country. England is what I want most, but I suppose I would consider another English-speaking country.”

“Why England?” Stuart inquired.

“Because it’s a freer society. And there are more job opportunities at better pay. I love my parents. But what they have isn’t what I want.”

“You mean you don’t want an arranged marriage?”

“Probably not. It would work out all right, I suppose. I do want children. But given that my hope is living elsewhere, I’m thinking it won’t happen.”

Stuart considered that for a moment. “Will your parents try to pressure you to get married?”

“Probably. The men in my culture are expected to get married around the age of thirty. So my brother will be getting married soon. For me, it wouldn’t occur for another eight years.”

Stuart took a moment to take this all in. To him it all seemed so hopelessly foreign and dated, an antiquated custom from far back in time. But he reminded himself that he was talking with someone from another culture, one that he would have to respect. Perhaps Amal was going to teach him just as much as he was going to teach Amal.

They continued talking, but about more general things now, as Stuart wanted to stay away from controversial subjects for a while. The weather in Jordan was, of course, not as cold as New York in winter, but blistering hot in the summer. The country received very little rain in the warmer months, most agriculture being possible only with irrigation. But Amman had many conveniences, including air conditioning, and judging by the pictures Amal sent it was a very modern city.

“It looks very nice,” Stuart commented. “So why do you want to leave?”

“I could do so much better somewhere else. And I’d like to live somewhere more progressive, raise my children, if I have them, in a more progressive society. There are many rules here. I don’t agree with all of them. I would like to see more freedom for women. In fact, more freedom for all kinds of people.”

“And the threat of war in that part of the world?” Stuart asked.

“It’s always present,” Amal said. “The creation of the State of Israel left much bitterness here, although some of the younger generation are willing to put that aside in order to live in peace.”

“I hope you’re right on that,” Stuart said. “The whole world would be glad if that happened.”

“Most of it, yes,” agreed Amal. “I don’t know about some of the other Arab countries.”

Unfortunately, that’s true, Stuart thought. “All right, we’ll talk more tomorrow night. We need to get back to practicing English and leave the problems of the world to others,” he told Amal.

“Agreed,” said Amal. “Until tomorrow, then. Good night.”