”“What has happened to you? This is exactly what you wanted. We have the Kaa’bah around the corner, a place with me in the holiest city on Earth..., and we’re getting married soon. Isn’t this what you’ve been dreaming about?”“The Kaa’bah is so beautiful, isn’t it? The angels come down and shed their light upon the minarets like a celestial waterfall. They float around without being seen, high in the air and swoosh! down onto that cool marble, checking us out, watching our every move as we circle. "Take the safety off, Gene. Won't do any good otherwise." Holly had her gun pointed ahead as the border crossing came into view. Gene clicked the safety and trembled, his eyes just above the edge of the glass.The first few vehicles barreled through the busted gates. Gene saw bodies as they did the same. Blood, pools of it, sprays on the guard house, sprays on a smoking car.The radio crackled again, "contact front! Run hot!"Automatic rifle fire sputtered dully ahead. Georges slammed his foot to. "Ceri quickly rearranged her life so she could indeed, be there.Friday came so slowly however. The time arrived and Ceri began her journey, in more than just a literal sense, though she was not, at this time to know it. It wasn't too far, about an hour's drive, her navigation app ticked down to one mile as the road turned into a lane."You have arrived at your destination."Ceri drove slowly up the gravel drive, had to be here, there were no other houses.It was confirmed when Ceri saw the number. The walk back to our table seemed longer this time, all eyes upon us.We ordered shrimp cocktails, followed by broiled fish, 'catch of the day'. Alice offered me sips of her wine when she didn't think others were looking and when the glass was empty she ordered a second glass.We had heard each other's stories until I was sure that she was bored with my tales of the boisterous tricks we did to each other at school. And I had heard her stories, her first sexual encounter, the patience and caring.