The Other Half of My Soul (16 page)

“But my internship at
InterContinental Weekly
. How am I going to finish my internship? How am I going to clean out my jidaw’s house?” She began to cry, pleading desperately for Rami not to go to South America. “Don’t leave me here alone. Please, don’t leave me here alone. I need you,” she sobbed.

“Rayna, rrawhee, I am not going to leave you. We will go to your jidaw’s house and stay there until we can figure out what to do next. I will not return to school for the summer.” Rami crushed her hair in his hands and held her. “You need me and I need to be here for you.”

“What about the Triple Frontier? And Yousef? Make him go away . . . please make him go away.”

“Shhh, shhh. It will be okay. We will find a way out of this.” He helped Rayna pack up her belongings, filled their two cars with her things, and they drove to Isaac’s house.

nineteen

You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails.

—Reverend Bernice A. King

The summer proved to be far more tumultuous than either Rayna or Rami had anticipated. With each chasm they leaped across, another awaited them on the other side.

* * *

After moving temporarily into Isaac’s house, the couple changed the locks and recoded the security system to keep out family members who felt they had a right to access the residence. Feeling relieved now that no one could barge in on them, they began to go through all of Isaac’s possessions, keeping what they wanted and giving away the rest to charity. Rami proved to be a tremendous help, and Rayna was grateful to have him near. While she was busy with her internship at the magazine, Rami sifted through years of her grandparents’ accumulations.

Isaac’s 1940s two-family brick home did not compare with the lavishness of Rayna’s family home. However, the dwelling had been updated twice in its lifetime. The second-floor apartment was rented out. The main level consisted of two bedrooms, two bathrooms, an eat-in kitchen, and a large living room that occupied the front portion of the house. The finished basement with three bedrooms and another bathroom had once accommodated Isaac’s growing family of nine children. There was no garage. Instead, a narrow driveway had space for two cars, if one were parked directly behind the other.

The buyers planned to demolish the house and rebuild on the property. Essentially, they were paying three million dollars for the small parcel of land so they could live close to the Syrian shul. “Location is to real estate as oil is to Arabs,” Rayna had said. “The value of living near the synagogue on Ocean Parkway is highly prized.”

* * *

Abe and Sarah persisted in hounding their daughter, but Rayna stood her ground. She refused to go to Deal, refused to end her summer internship, refused to switch to a school closer to home, and refused to disengage from Rami.

One weekday evening, Abe left the family summer home in Deal and made the one-hour trip into Brooklyn to confront his daughter and lay down the law. Rayna and Rami were having dinner when the bell rang. “I will get it.” Rami walked through the living room and toward the front door. He peered into the peephole. Abe stood on the landing. Rami opened the door. Without any warning, Abe swung his fist at Rami. Quickly, Rami ducked to avoid the blow. Abe went into a spin from his own force and fell against the wall.

Hearing the commotion, Rayna rushed to investigate. The sight of Abe and Rami in such a state momentarily froze her, and she attempted to analyze the situation.

“I did not touch him. When I opened the door to greet your father, he swung his fist at me. I ducked. He fell into the wall.”

Rayna threw a sharp look at her father. “Is that true?”

Abe did not answer. He only scowled at Rami.

“Dad, I think you better leave. Now!”

“Rayna, I’d like to come in.”

“We’re having supper, Dad. If you can control yourself, you’re welcome to join us.”

“I want to talk.
Alone
! Just you and me. Why is
he
here?”

“
He
has a name. It’s Rami.” She moved into the kitchen. Abe followed her.

“Don’t try my patience, Rayna. Look at what he’s doing to you. Open your eyes. He’s playing with your mind.” When Rayna resisted, Abe’s voice grew stronger. “For God’s sake, Rayna, I’m trying to save you from destroying yourself! Tell him to leave.”

“No, Dad.”

“What have you done to my daughter, you conniving Muslim? You’ve brainwashed her and . . .” Suddenly, Abe was taken aback. He leered at Rami. He scrutinized Rayna. Abe saw their wedding bands. “No! No! Dear God, tell me it isn’t true.” Horrified at the sight, he grabbed Rayna by the hair and affronted her. Rami jumped in to block Abe, but Rayna put up her hand to stop him. “Are you sleeping with him, Rayna? Are you married to him?”

“Yes, to both questions. In March, a reform rabbi married us in Maryland, license and all.”

Abe’s face went from red to white. He released Rayna and, for a second time, lunged at Rami. Not wanting to hurt Abe, Rami grabbed the man’s hands, forced him down on the chair, and held him there. Abe struggled to rise and lost his balance. Rami caught him. Abe began to retch. Rayna grabbed the salad bowl from the table to catch the vomit. Rami ran cold water on a dish towel, wrung it out, and placed it on the back of Abe’s neck. The two then helped Abe onto the sofa in the living room. Rami went back into the kitchen to clean up the mess. Rayna stayed with her father.

“You took this house from your grandfather. How could you . . .”

“I did not take this house from Jidaw.”

“Look what you’re doing to us. To me. To your mother. To yourself. To our family. You’re ripping us apart. Did you ever once stop to think of the repercussions of your actions?” Abe was angry, but desperate to get his daughter back. “Rayna, we can fix this. Nobody needs to know. It will be just between you and me. We could have your marriage annulled and go back to how it used to be. You’re only eighteen . . .”

“Almost nineteen.”

“Whatever. You’re too young. He has taken control of your mind. You no longer know yourself or what you are doing.”

“No, Dad. I do know what I’m doing. It’s about love, Dad. I need love.”

“Are you pregnant? Is that it? We can fix it . . .”

“No, Dad, I’m not pregnant. Rami and I married for love. Love, Dad.”

“Love! What about dishonor? What about shame? What about the scandal you’re bringing upon our family? He’s a Muslim. One day you’ll regret this, but it will be too late. Muslim men quickly grow tired of their women. It’s in their nature. What will you do when he’s had enough of you? After he’s mistreated you? Abused you? You can’t come back to us. Our door will be locked. You’ll have ruined your life.”

“Dad, just listen. I’m not sorry for loving Rami. He’s a good human being. He’s decent and kind and . . . he loves me. Doesn’t that count for something?”

“He’s not our religion.”

“I love him.”

In a huff, Abe stomped out.

Rayna ran after him, “Where are you going?”

“Why should you care where I’m going?”

“Please don’t drive back to Deal tonight. Go home to Eli. Please, Dad.”

Abe slammed the car door shut and drove off. Rayna went back into the house.

* * *

In the archway separating the kitchen from the living room, Rami had silently witnessed the scene. He wanted to step in and protect Rayna but restrained himself, knowing that Rayna needed to deal with Abe on her own terms. Giving Rayna a supportive hug, he urged her into the kitchen. Dinner was cold. Rayna pushed away her plate and went back to the living room.

Rami lifted the phone, “Eli, this is Rami. Your father is on his way over and . . .”

“Where are you? Where’s Rayna?”

“We are at your grandfather’s house.”

“Why are you there? What’s going on?”

“Your father and Rayna had an unpleasant encounter. Abe vomited and is in no condition to drive back to Deal tonight.”

“Rami, where’s Rayna? Is she alright?”

“Yes.”

“Rami, I’ve gone to bat for you. Now level with me. I want the truth.”

“Well . . . uhhh . . . ummm . . . Rayna and I are married.” Rami moved the receiver away from his ear. Shock waves reverberated across the line. “We planned to tell you . . .”

“How nice. You planned to tell me. Where’s my sister? I want to talk with her.”

“I will get her.” In the living room, he handed the phone to Rayna, “Your brother wants to speak with you.” She shook her head. “Eli, Rayna is too upset right now. Give her a little time.”

“Let me hear her voice. I want to know that she’s okay, or I’m coming over right now.”

Rami put the phone to Rayna’s ear. “Just say hello to your brother. He wants to hear your voice and know that you are okay.”

“Yes, Eli.”

“Has Rami hurt you? If you can’t talk, just say yes or no. I’ll come over right now.”

“I’m fine. I’m okay, Eli. Rami has not hurt me. He would never hurt me.”

“Did you really marry him?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Love. That’s why.”

“Rayna, are you sure you don’t want me to come over?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“Then let’s meet in the city for dinner tomorrow night. The kosher Italian restaurant that you like. Seven-thirty. Rayna, are you sure you don’t want me to come over?”

“I’m really okay, Eli. Except, I’m sorry we kept this from you.”

“We’ll talk tomorrow. Dad just came in. I heard the garage door.”

“Look after him tonight. He’s not in good shape.”

“Tomorrow, Rayna. I’ll see you and Rami tomorrow.”

“Eli, I’m sorry. I’m really sorry we didn’t tell you sooner. I’m sorry you had to find out this way . . .”

“Seven-thirty, Rayna. I’ll see you and Rami at the restaurant. Bye.”

“Bye, Eli.” Rayna hung up the phone. Rami knelt down and massaged her neck and shoulders.

“We’re meeting Eli for dinner in the city at seven-thirty tomorrow. Now, I need some quiet time to meditate.” She shifted into a lotus position.

Rami returned to the kitchen to finish cleaning up. When he was done, he cautiously approached Rayna and sat down beside her. Calmly, he grappled to get into the same lotus position, twisting his legs and tugging at his ankles. Yet no matter what he did, he could not quite make one leg go inside the other.

Eyeing her husband, Rayna muzzled her amusement. Reaching out, she tried to help him move his legs into position. But the more she pushed and pulled, the more she giggled, until they both rolled on the floor laughing. Playfully, Rami tickled her, then scooped Rayna into his arms and carried her off to the bedroom.

* * *

“Dad, did you eat? You don’t look well. What’s wrong?”

When Abe told his youngest son about Rayna and Rami, Eli wanted to raise the issue of his father’s infidelity, but, given Abe’s emotional state, he held off. “Dad, you act like they’ve committed the worst crime in the world.”

“Well, your sister . . .”

“Hold on, Dad. Just listen for a moment. Are they into alcohol or drugs? No. Are they into immoral or promiscuous sex? No. Have they indulged in any criminal behavior? No. Are they evil people? No, Dad. They don’t even smoke.”

“But . . .”

“So what is their sin? Because they were born into different religions, are they to be condemned for falling in love? Are you so worried about what the rabbis will say? Is your standing in the community worth so much to you that you’re willing to give up your daughter?”

“Why are you always so quick to come to your sister’s defense? She married a Muslim.
A Shi’ite Muslim
! And she’s sleeping with him. Oh my God, Eli.”

Eli waited for this opportunity. “What you did is okay, but what Rayna did is wrong?”

“What are you talking about? I never did anything to disgrace our family.”

“Like hell you didn’t. You had a seven-year affair with a California congresswoman who was
not
Jewish . . . and you were both married and had families. How do you justify committing adultery with a Christian while condemning your daughter for sleeping with her own husband?” With disgust, Eli looked sharply at his father. “You violated one of the ten commandments.”

Beads of perspiration formed on Abe’s forehead. “What are you talking about?”

“You think I didn’t know about all the times you were away in Washington under the pretext of attending to business? Did you ever once stop to think what your affair would do to Mom if she had found out? Did you care? To me, your infidelity is far worse than what your daughter has done. At least Rayna isn’t cheating on her husband.”

Abe turned ashen. “That affair is over. And she wasn’t a Muslim.”

“Your secret is out, and your hypocritical double-standard sickens me.”

“So what do you suggest I do?”

“I don’t know. What do you think you should do?”

* * *

In the morning, Rayna called
InterContinental Weekly
and told them she would not be in. The stress was beginning to wear on her and she needed time to clear her head. Rami convinced Rayna to go out and do something fun with him before they met Eli for dinner.

They took the subway into the Financial District and walked to the Federal Reserve Bank on Liberty Street. Inside, they learned about the central banking functions, saw the bank’s vault of international monetary gold, and digested a lesson on the history of money. After that, they strolled over to the West Side Highway and caught a bus going north to Midtown. Getting off at Pier 86 by the Hudson River, they entered the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum and walked the flight deck of the nine-hundred-foot-long aircraft carrier.

* * *

During lunch, Rayna discreetly reached under the small table and affectionately squeezed her husband’s thigh. “Thank you for cleaning up after my father last night, and for allowing me to handle him on my own. I know it was difficult for you to keep silent.” She leaned over and kissed him. “I love you very much.”

“And I love you very much.”

* * *

After lunch, they went to the Lladro Center and bought a bride-and-groom figurine. In a shop on Orchard Street, Rami presented Rayna with a set of pink and purple sheets for their future king-size bed. At Macy’s, they indulged in some serious clothes shopping. The hours passed quickly and seven-thirty soon approached. Laden with packages, the two hurried out onto the street. On Broadway, they searched for the restaurant. “There it is, across the street,” Rayna pointed. Impatiently, they waited for the light to change before dashing to the other side.

* * *

“Sorry we’re late . . . time got away from us.”

“I just got here myself.” The coldness in Eli’s voice left no mistake about his displeasure with them. The waiter arrived and took their drink orders. They all requested water. Eli glared at the young couple sitting across the table.

“Thank you for seeing us,” Rami said. Eli did not respond. In awkward silence, the three looked over the menu. The waiter returned with their water and a basket of bread.