Divine Intervention

Moving is never easy. When you're an awkward kid in middle school, it borders on torture.

For as long as he could remember, Ali had a difficult time making friends. That's just a consequence of bringing your own food to parties, having exotically dressed grandparents, and parents with job titles he could barely pronounce.

Today would be different. Ali planned to befriend the one person in class no one else seemed interested in. Catherine barely spoke, her only words were answers to questions asked by their teacher, Ms. Montana. Even then, they were brief, quick, and lacked any emotion.

Catherine also seemed to need the restroom more than anyone else in class. She asked to be excused regularly. Sometimes, she was gone for nearly half an hour. What was she doing in there, Ali wondered.

That's a simple enough question to start a conversation; but Ali needed more. Who can help me talk to Catherine, and make friends in this new school? Ali had an idea.

The most outgoing person Ali could think of was his Grandmother; Sito Hana.

She was always approaching strangers, asking all kinds of questions. Sito Hana once asked a full grown man why he left his house wearing pajamas, Who goes out dressed like this? Are you a little baby?

Of course, Sito Hana could advise him how best to approach Catherine. He only had to wait until Sunday. Every Sunday, like clockwork, his mother and father would take him to spend the afternoon with his grandparents.

Sunday

In her kitchen, Sito Hana covered a large pan with foil and, placed it in the oven. She turned to Ali, who was her prep cook for the day, and asked if he'd like to join her for a walk to the park. How could he resist; his plan was taking shape with very little effort. He would be alone with the one person he needed to talk to.

Ten minutes into their walk, Ali asked Sito Hana for advice.

Ali began, "Sito, there's someone in school I would like to talk to, but I don't know what to say."

"Ali, that's easy, tell me about this friend, what does he like?" Sito inquired.

Rather than correct his grandmother, and reveal Catherine's identity, he responded, "well, I'm not really sure."

"What does he eat? Oh, how does he dress; does he wear sports clothes? Maybe he likes basket or football. If he wears that kind of stuff. See, your Sito very smart. Think like a detective Ali, you find out what you need to know." Sito advised.

Ali simply contemplated her answers in silence. He's seen Catherine in the lunchroom; what does she like to eat? He saw her wearing a State sweater once, maybe that's where she wants to go to college.

I have some good information here, he thought; tomorrow, I'll talk to her.

They meet

The lunch bell rang, Ali and his classmates lined up for the cafeteria.

As they made their way through the lunchroom, Ali patiently stood and waited while everyone found a seat. There, a spot was open right next to Catherine. He quickly walked over, and sat down.

Kids weren't exactly encouraged to have conversations during lunch, but did so quietly over the usual sounds in a cafeteria.

Catherine opened her lunch bag and removed an apple. As she bit into it, Ali noticed a sticker still affixed to it - Honeycrisp Michigan.

Ali said quietly, "I love Honeycrisp apples, they're my favorite."

Catherine, slightly surprised, "Oh, you can tell what kind of apple this is?"

"Well, I saw the sticker." Ali admitted.

Catherine turned the apple, found and removed the sticker, "You have good eyesight, do you eat carrots?"

Ali wasn't sure what she meant at first, but quickly replied, "I like carrot cake. My dad loves it too, we order it a lot from restaurants."

Catherine's expression changed slightly, "I don't go to many restaurants, I can only eat certain things."

"Why's that?" Ali countered.

Hearing their conversation, Ms. Montana made her way over, "Lunch is for eating, you two can talk more outside, ok."

Ali and Catherine both gave a subtle nod, and focused back on their food.

As students finished their meals, and discarded leftovers, they usually make their way outside.

Ali, having finished his lunch before her, waited for Catherine near the door. He waited the entire recess period, but she never came.

Back in class, as Ali took his seat, Catherine's remained empty.

She was gone for the rest of the day.

Having a tendency to overthink every situation, Ali's mind went into hyperdrive: Why did she leave, where did she go, was it something I said?

I'll see her soon enough, he concluded.

Sadly, he was mistaken.

Catherine wasn't in school on Tuesday, or Wednesday for that matter, by Thursday; Ali was convinced something he said to her must be the reason why she was missing. He had to approach Ms. Montana, and face reality.

Ali waited for an opportunity when Ms. Montana was alone. He saw her walking slowly during recess, and practically ran to her.

Nearly breathless, Ali managed a sentence, "Ms. Montana, I have to ask you something."

Ms. Montana casually replied, "Sure Ali, what's going on?"

"Catherine, where is she? I haven't seen her all week. Did she move or something?" his voice practically shaking, fearing the truth.

"Oh, Ali, no, she's still here. Her mother... She'll be back soon enough, and you can talk to her yourself, does that sound good?" Ms. Montana suggested.

That didn't sound good at all, it sounded awful as far as Ali was concerned. He was now convinced; I'm the reason she's missing.

As Ali walked away, Ms. Montana kept watch. The boy looked dejected. But how could that be; it's not like Ali and Catherine were best of friends or anything. School just began, he was new.

That look on Ali's face though, Ms. Montana knew that look. The boy was concerned. He cared. And she needed to help, in the best possible way.

The Call

Sitting on the living room couch, tablet in hand, headphones around his ears, Ali was immersed in an online universe all his own.

Muffled noise begins to grow in the background, a one sided conversation; someone on a phone call possibly.

A few seconds of silence are followed by footsteps. Ali's mother, Sarah, enters the room, and sits near her son.

Sarah holds Ali's shoulder to get his attention. He quickly pauses his game, removes the headphones and looks to her.

"Hi Mama," Ali says softly, and leans into his mother, "what's up?"

She moves him closer and looks into his eyes.

"Habibi (my love), how are you, how's it going in school?" she inquires.

"Good." Ali quickly replies.

Sarah studies his face a bit longer; "Good. Well, have you meet anyone? Are you making friends yet?"

"Sure, yeah, kind of, why?" Ali replies cautiously.

"Your teacher messaged me. And, well, I spoke to Catherine's mom. She'd like us to get together sometime, at the park maybe," Sarah continued.

"She does, why, what's going on?" Ali questions nervously.

"Well, I figured, Catherine, she's your friend, right?" his mom presses.

A stunned and relieved Ali replies, "Oh, Yes. If she'd like to be friends. That's cool with me."

"Why haven't you mentioned this before, we're always asking..." before Sarah could finish, Ali interrupts, "We met one day, then I didn't see her. Mama, I wasn't sure she wanted to be... When are we going to the park?" Ali quickly concludes.

Sarah suggests, "Tomorrow, maybe. How's that sound?"

Excited, Ali nearly shouts, "Works for me! Can I finish my game now?"

"Sure, enjoy. Ten more minutes though." Sarah concludes and walks off.

They meet again

Saturday was just perfect. The fall sun poked through clouds, a light breeze, and the sounds of the season; rustling leaves, dogs being walked, and children playing.

Ali and Catherine sit on idle swings; their mothers mingle in the background.

Charlotte, Catherine's mother, calls out, "Honey, we're going to walk, we'll be nearby if you need us, ok?"

"Sure Mom, I'm fine." Catherine hollers back.

"Your mom looks like you." Ali suggests.

"People tell us that." Catherine agrees.

Ali adds, "She's very nice."

"Your Mom is too." Catherine affirms.

Ali counters, "most of the time, sure."

The two giggle lightly, followed by a few seconds of silence.

"Will you be in school next week?" Ali inquires.

Catherine, head down, replies somberly, "I want to. I like Ms. Montana."

"Me too!" agrees Ali.

Seconds of silence pass before Catherine eventually says, "The doctors have to make sure it's ok for me to go."

"Are you still not feeling good?" Ali wonders.

"Today is fine, but some days, it comes back." Catherine says somberly.

Ali asks, "How long have you been sick?"

"A long time." she replies.

"Are you taking medicine?" Ali wonders.

Catherine answers, "Yes. But it's not working like before."

"What kind of medicine?" Ali inquires further.

"One's a liquid that goes into my arm, the other's a pill... Sometimes I sit in a machine, but I don't know the names of any. My parents, and the doctors, don't tell me much. Maybe they don't know. Or they just don't want me to know... I can handle it. I'm tough." Catherine flexes her arm slightly and laughs.

Ali smiles, "I hope you feel better soon Catherine"

Catherine starts to swing her legs. Her swing moves higher, and higher. She challenges Ali, "Bet you I can go higher!"

"You got a bet!"

Tata Hana

Ali watches as Tata Hana prepares food in her kitchen.

"Get me three big tomatoes from the fridge habibi (my dear)." Hana requests.

Ali opens the fridge, fiddles around, retrieves the tomatoes and hands them to his grandmother. Ali asks, "But, why are some people sick for so long Tata?"

Tata Hana, slightly irritated, replies sarcastically, "Ask your father, he's a doctor."

"Tata, he's not that kind of doctor, you know..." Before Ali can finish, Tata Hana concludes, "It's all in the hands of God Ali. We don't know his plan, we just have to be good."

Ali digests her words. "I told my friend the water would help."

"What are you talking about? What water?" Tata Hana questions.

"The one you gave to Mama, before she had me. Do you have more?" Ali responds.

Frustrated, Sito Hana quips, "We're finishing the food Ali, not being doctors now, ok?"

A solemn Ali nods.

Hana instructs, "Bring me a lemon." Ali follows orders. "Cut it in half." Hana continues cooking. Hana begins to hand him plates. "Take them to the table." As Ali exits, she soon follows holding a few large skillets.

The stove clear, kitchen empty; sounds emerge and grow of dinner being served and eaten.

Less than an hour later...

Rami, Ali's father, enters the kitchen, dishes in hand. He places them near the sink where Hana stands and washes. Rami turns to face the kitchen entrance to ensure no one else comes in.

He asks Hana, "Did you talk to Ali about water from ZamZam?"

"No Rami, he talked to me about it." Hana insists.

"He remembered something you said before he was even born?" Rami questions.

Hana answers, "ZamZam made him, ok."

Frustrated, Rami replies, "I told you, we weren't even trying before."

"Really, five years? Five years you're doing nothing?" Hana asks.

"No, we were doing, look, we weren't trying to get pregnant ok, we wanted to work first." Rami answers sternly.

Hana mockingly replies, "Yes, work, work, work, like the singer. Always with the work."

"Life isn't so simple here or now. I want you to spend time with Ali, but, we can't have him telling people he has a cure for a mystery disease." Rami counters.

A gleeful Hana responds, "I said nothing. Praise God. He remembered."

Rami walks off.

"Great, thanks for your help."

Proceed with caution

At Catherine's house, her father Paul, walks into his study with two glasses in hand. He passes one over to Rami who sits somewhat uncomfortably in a large armchair. Paul sits opposite Rami.

"You sure you don't want a real drink?' Paul asks.

Rami replies, "Thank you. Water is perfect, thanks."

The two sip from their glasses.

Paul opens, "So, you probably know, Catherine asked us about some kind of water."

Before he could continue, Rami interjects, "Paul, I know what you must be thinking."

Paul quips, "What am I thinking Rami, tell me?"

Apologetic, Rami replies, "Sorry, no, I didn't mean to interrupt, go ahead."

Paul counters, "Well, tell me about it. What is it exactly?"

Rami explains, "It's something my mother-in-law thinks. I'll back up, it's a religious story. Isn't it in the bible also? (slight pause) The story says, Abraham's wife Hagar, and his son Ishmael, were lost in the desert. Ishmael began crying, from thirst. Fearing for him, Hagar closed her eyes, and... The story goes, God spoke to her, and made a freshwater spring appear to quench their thirst."

"This is something you believe in?" Paul inquired.

Rami slowly answers, "About the well? Well... Yes, but I'm not sure about the water having any medicinal properties or anything. I mean, the boy was thirsty, not sick, right?"

Almost sarcastically, Paul asks, "You're a rocket scientist, aren't you Rami?"

Rami, a little hesitant, replies, "I am, why?"

"I'm not trying to be funny, that's your actual job, isn't it?" Paul pushes further.

In a stern and serious tone, Rami answers, "It is, yes."

"I guess I'm asking... Do YOU believe in this?" Paul wonders.

Rami takes a few seconds, studies Paul; "You know Paul, it doesn't really matter what I believe, the world wouldn't care anyway. I don't want you and Charlotte thinking anything other than... Look, Ali, his heart is pure, he wanted to help."

"I don't know how I feel about Catherine pinning her hopes on some sort of holy water." Paul concludes.

Solemnly, Rami responds, "Paul, that's not what this is. It isn't... Water is water, it's just, elements. Does it have a religious affiliation? (pause) You know what, I'm not here to convince anyone... Sorry it was ever mentioned. I've spoken to him, it shouldn't come up again."

Paul contends, "The last thing we need is for Catherine to start questioning, who's right, and who's wrong."

"Interesting Paul, that's, the last thing you need?" Rami wonders.

Paul quickly offers, "No offense, that's not what I meant."

Rami sets his glass down, stands up, "If my daughter believed something would help her, I'm not so sure I would convince her otherwise. But that's just me, you know, the rocket scientist."

As Rami's about to walk off, Charlotte appears at the door.

Rami pauses, taken aback.

Charlotte pleads, "I'm sorry Rami, please, don't leave just yet."

Rami retakes a seat.

Charlotte asks him, "Sarah couldn't come with you?"

Rami stutters a reply, "Oh, I wasn't. Paul didn't ask if she..."

Charlotte interjects, turning to Paul, "You didn't invite her?"

Slightly ashamed, Paul replies, "I just assumed, he was, would be the one to..." Before he could finish, Charlotte asserts, "Stop Paul. I'm calling her." She looks towards Rami, "Would she be available, to come by? Again, I'm so sorry."

Rami, piecing things together, "Charlotte, it's fine, we come to conclusions without asking enough questions these days. Sarah's working late. Tell you what, let's all get together for dinner sometime, and just, start fresh."

"I would like that very much, yes." Before Paul could interject, Charlotte continues, "Sarah and I will set it up, ok."

Rami smiles, stands, and replies, "Great."

Charlotte heads towards the door, "I'll walk you out Rami."

Rami turns to Paul, "Until then."

"I guess so."

The elixir of life

Catherine's room looks less like a place to sleep and more like a living magazine. Cards and letters are everywhere. They say things like; get well soon, sending you our prayers, and with love. There's no shortage of hearts, smiles, hugs and images of happiness on every surface.

In this sea of words and well wishes, Catherine sits on her bed, reading a book.

A light knock on the door, her mother walks in shortly thereafter.

She sets a small cup of water on a nearby dresser.

"Hey honey." Charlotte gleams.

"Hi mom, how was dinner?" Catherine asks.

"Great, how was your evening?" inquires Charlotte.

"Just finishing this book." Catherine sets it down.

Charlotte picks up the glass of water, "Here you go dear," and hands it to her daughter.

Catherine takes a sip and smiles. Charlotte puts an arm around her, picks up the book Catherine was reading: The Alchemist.

"How many times have you read this one?" Charlotte inquires with a smile.

Catherine replies, "I learn something new every time Mom."

"It is magical." Charlotte concludes.

She stands, takes the cup of water from Catherine, sets it back down on the dresser. They exchange a peck on the cheek.

"Sweet dreams my love."