Tomorrow's Vengeance Read Free Page A

it doesn’t say exactly
how
.’ She spread her arms, palms up, taking in the whole expanse of the complex that surrounded us. ‘
This
is how.’
    â€˜My retirement plan involves booking round-the-world cruises on the
Queen Mary Two
,’ I joked, although I was half serious. ‘Back to back. A beautiful cabin, someone to clean and make it up fresh for you every day, fabulous food, champagne bar, spas and pools, not to mention movies, lectures and Broadway-quality entertainment.’ I sighed dramatically. ‘Now
that’s
assisted living!’
    Safa giggled. ‘I like how you think, Hannah!’
    After a moment, her face grew serious. ‘Masud realized that sometimes life sends you challenges that are beyond a child’s ability to help, and he didn’t want to burden Laila and Roshan.’ She leaned forward, inclined her head closer to mine and spoke softly. ‘Masud has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.’
    I started to lay a comforting hand on hers then drew back, not knowing whether the gesture would be misinterpreted. ‘I’m so sorry.’
    Safa shrugged. ‘
Insha’Allah.
What can one do? It is early days yet, and Masud has already started medication, so I’m hopeful. One can live a long time with Parkinson’s, as you probably know. Look at Michael J. Fox.’
    I remembered reading that the youthful
Back to the Future
star had been diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease in 2001. Nevertheless, he had worked fairly steadily as an actor since then, and would be back on television in the fall with a semi-autobiographical sitcom. ‘He’s certainly done a lot to raise public awareness about the disease,’ I said.
    â€˜Yes, and it’s generous support such as his that gives us hope for a cure.’
    â€˜Forgive me if I’m speaking out of turn, Safa, but I think that you and your husband have made the right decision, both for you and for your children.’
    Safa nodded in agreement. ‘Masud brought me here for a visit, we talked to Mr Bennett, the director, and Masud was happy with what we heard. We are fine for now in our town home, but later? Well, the concept of modesty is accepted here, that was of utmost importance to me.’
    â€˜Do you mean the clothing you wear? The hijab?’
    Safa blushed. ‘That is part of it, but more importantly, should I need one, I must have a woman doctor, and, when the time comes, women who tend to me.’
    After I was diagnosed with breast cancer, a male surgeon and a male oncologist had pretty much saved my life, so I was glad the Episcopal Church didn’t place such demands on its women.
    â€˜What do you do about daily prayers?’ I asked. I knew that devout Muslims pray five times throughout the day. We’d once had an airport pickup where the cab driver arrived at the crack of dawn and asked to use our bathroom so he could wash his feet before his sunrise prayer. With some pride, he’d showed us the Qibla app on his iPhone which featured a compass programmed to determine the direction of Mecca from anywhere in the world, even the cab parked in our driveway. What would Mohammed have thought of that? I had marveled at the time. I had a Daily Office app on my iPhone, but had only consulted it twice. The cabbie’s devoutness put my half-baked efforts at regular daily prayer to shame.
    â€˜Ah, prayers,’ Safa repeated. ‘This was a real plus, especially for Masud. Calvert Colony built a
musalla
, a place where we can practice
salaat
.’ She waved a hand in the direction of the gardens, where a modest building that I had taken for an oversized, elaborately decorated garden shed was nestled in a grove of young crabapple trees. ‘There are only three Muslims in residence now, and I am the only woman, but two more couples will be moving in as soon as the new block of town homes is finished.’
    â€˜I hope you