Desperate measures sent me to the other side of the continent in coffee conversation refuge. Choosing to go to the same coffee shop out of habit, I took out my kit out and got ready to eavesdrop. Besides the bonus of free water and the accessible world of books to keep one company and many quiet, I looked around seeing a variety of people and smiled. I went to buy meat from the butcher the other day, the prices are so high, I don't know what to do anymore, I can t keep asking my husband for more money, he just says he does not have any, sighed Nelly Ironically, this one coffee table rather stood out in the midst of the loud housewives whose voices rang out above all other noises in a mosaic of Arabic dialects. Aruba explained, and the schools, I am so tired of waking up at five, preparing breakfast for Abdallah, getting the kids ready, managing the chores of the day, taking the kids to school, buying the groceries and getting back in time to make lunch, just before the kids get home. Leila, sitting with her seat half turned as if trying not to identify with her group, was nervously flipping through her magazine looking up at her party with distaste, making circles with her eyes, before looking down at her magazine again. You know Shadwa you are so lucky you don t have girls exclaimed Dahlia, the other day my daughter came to me and asked my permission to go to a mixed slumber party, and I had a heart attack, what am I to tell her dad? she asked, huh? and her sister, she tells me she wants to put on the veil and she is nine. A tall blonde model like figure elegantly walks in, leaving a trace of perfume behind her, and bringing all complaints to a halt. Yekserha (god break her)! exclaimed Reham in her Damascene accent. That is why we can not blame our men for getting up to no good in this city, Shadwa said puffing at her cigarette. No, you know Shadwa it's these women [who are] to blame, they steal men, any man they find that has money, added Dahlia. Making a fish mouth from side to side, Reham said And what do we lack? pulling her skirt up showing short stunt legs, eey, yekserha! Hi Sheryl, how are you sweetie? asked Monica sitting down. Last night was great. Lyle came home with flowers, we sent the kids to their aunt, and . Monica smiled, So ya we made up, I don t know if I will be able to trust him again, but for now, I am happy, she smiled with teary eyes. Sheryl got up and hugged her friend, and they walked off. I gulped my espresso in one shot and ordered another to take my sorrows away. Grandpa walked in with Johan, his grandson and made a rattle as they sat down next to me. You sit here and I will get you something to eat, called out granddad as he walked away, returning with a chocolate cup cake and a knife and fork. But grandpa I wanted a chocolate chip cupcake, nagged Jason. Grandpa sat down, held out the paper, and read on. Now pulling on his sleeve, Jason called Grandpa, please! You know I hurt my leg, look it hurts, pleaded Jason as a last resort. Grandpa looked up, and said, Where dear show me, holding up Jason s leg, oh, let me kiss it better, you eat your food and you will be fine, With that Jason held up the knife and fork and started to cut the cup cake, but to no avail. Careful my boy, you are making a mess! Jason quietly continued to nibble his food, now shaking the chair right and left as if having a chair fit. Right that is enough said grandpa standing up, and holding Jason by the hand, we are going home, he told the whole coffee shop. With the wall clock hitting noon, the place suddenly became crowded with all sorts of people. A crowd of foreigners strolled in as evening approached, so Greg what will you have? Greek salad he said to John and the rest. You know Laurna drove to Lesotho and has not been in touch since, should we worry? John asked Greg pointed to call a waiter over, my salad is late, this is ridiculous. So should we worry? John asked again, while the waiter put the salad down. Greg smelt the salad, took out his fork, stuck it into a piece of feta cheese, played around the salad a bit, and then waved to the waiter again. Passant held down John s hand as if warning him to keep quiet now and preparing me for what appeared to be regular behavior for Greg. This salad is old, the cheese is crunchy, there is too much oil, the tomatoes are not cherry, Greg declared, and I don t want it, I should have known not to come here, ouff, he continued. No one said anything but Passant, who had ordered the same, was about to take a bite with Greg looking over at her food and between wanting to eat and being worried to disappoint Greg, she finally decided to put her fork down, maybe we should catch a movie? John signaled for the bill. I smiled to myself and started to gather my things.
