Page 60 of Twenty-Three Years of Longing

“Why?” I asked.

“Because I see how happy you are when you talk about it. I like you being happy.”

I hugged him even tighter. “And I love you being happy too. I think you’re going to love it there.”

“Can Kathy still come and visit?” he asked.

Kathy smiled and said, “At least once a year, for sure.”

I pulled her in and all three of us stood just holding each other, grateful it was over. When we parted, it was time for us to go and celebrate.

“What do you want to do now?” I asked. “Want to go out for pizza?”

Joey shook his head. “Mom, I know we are going to be moving. Would it be okay if I just went and hung out with my friends?”

“Of course. That is a great idea. And we won’t be leaving for a few days. So, I think you should spend as much time with them as you can. But Joey, we will be coming back here too. We’re not leaving for good,” I said. “You will still see them.”

“I know. But it won’t be the same,” he said.

No, it won’t. But I’m hopeful that in time, it will be even better.

The next few days both Joey and I needed to spend time with our friends. Because we were about to start another chapter of our lives, and I hoped it was going to be as bright as I thought it was going to be.

I couldn’t wait to be alone so I could call Orion with the news.

As soon as I dropped Joey off at his friend's house, I told Kathy that I needed a few minutes to make a few calls. She only laughed and said, “Tell Orion I said hello.” It was nice not having to explain myself to her.

There is a lot I will miss in the States, but you're top of the list.

I knew Orion would be asleep at this time, so I sent him a text first to see if he was free to talk.

ARE YOU BUSY?

He had more going on in his life than I did. Between his new job and his sick grandmother, I wasn’t sure he was getting any sleep at all. Maybe I should’ve waited until it was morning in Tabiq. A moment later, I got a response.

NEVER TOO BUSY FOR YOU.

Comments like that brought a smile to my face. I knew packing up the rest of my things and going to Tabiq was the right decision. Not because of the job, but to be with Orion. He'd shown me what I had been missing in my life. Unconditional love.

Dialing his number, I felt my heart rate increase with anticipation of hearing his voice. It didn’t matter what the topic was, I could talk to him for hours and never grow bored. I chuckled to myself because that sure wasn’t how I felt on my first day on the job. I wanted him and his opinions as far away from me as possible. Now I hated being apart.

Life sure can throw you a curveball when you think you have all the answers. Just never expected that the answer I needed was love.

"Hi Raya. Is everything okay?" he asked.

No wonder why he was so agreeable to talking. He thought there was something wrong. I should’ve started my text with ‘want to hear some good news’. Too late now.

"More than okay. You would never believe what happened today," I said, the excitement to share the news bubbling over. "I still can't believe this is all over."

"Details, please," he said. I didn’t miss his yawn, even though he tried to cover it up.

"First, sorry for waking you,” I said.

“Raya, never apologize for that. I miss you. I’ve been dying to hear about your day,” he said, sincerely.

“Well let's just say that Joseph lost his temper in court after the judge basically denied his request for sole custody. I could tell when the judge was speaking that he hadn’t been impressed with Joseph’s the choice of words in the courtroom. And when Joseph stood up and cut the judge off while speaking, it was a huge mistake. One that I am very grateful for.”

“What did the judge do?” he asked.

---