Koopah

I woke up thanks to an insistent knocking at the door. I heard Thomas say that we had arrived. I helped her dress, putting her in a man’s shirt, pulling the bottom over her crotch and buttocks. When I opened the door, I wished I had put more on her. Along with John and Thomas, waiting for me was a man dressed in such a way that he could only be the mayor, and his bodyguard.

The mayor held out a hand, and I shook it. He said, “My good man, I want to thank you for what you did. Believe me, you’re considered a regional hero, if not national.”



“Well, thank you, sir, but in all honesty, like I told these two men, she found me.”



“Oh, of course, of course.” He then leaned toward me, softly saying, “And, uh, Thomas and I had a talk. You don’t have to worry about anything.”



“Thank you, sir. I really appreciate that.”



“And we have a hotel room for you. You can spend the night there, and in the morning, go to her family’s lawyer. After all, there’s the inheritance to settle. It may not be as much as it was when her uncle first got it, but I’m sure it’s still substantial.”



“Inheritance?”



“Oh yes. Her parents are obviously no longer with us--after all, you never saw them, did you?” And when I shook my head: “Well, then, there you are. She inherits everything. But, uh…” He looked at Maraadah, then turned back to me. “Does she understand English? Can she speak it?”



“It doesn’t seem like it. She has her own language. But I think she understands simple signing.”



He nodded, and turned to his guard. “Car ready?” When the guard nodded, the mayor turned back and said, “We have a limo to take you to the hotel. The appointment for the lawyer is set for tomorrow at eleven. Plenty of time for you to rest up and everything.” He glanced at Maraadah again. “We’ll also send up clothes for you both. No need to tell me your sizes; I have an eye for that.”



“Well, thank you, Mr. Mayor. We’ll head right over. Thank you very much.” I took Maraadah’s hand, and the mayor led us to the limo.