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End of Chapter 28
I think he might even go as high as 100 to 200 thousand, if I were to insist that she was what I wanted. It will be fun to see how this works out, lover. Play your cards right and you might become a very rich and powerful young man, my love. If I do fulfill your hopes for the future - you will be the man behind throne. But for now I think we should first go for that swim!"
Chapter 29
"Can we go for that swim later? Thinking about our future interests me more than a swim. Right now I would rather talk some more about how we are going to get your father to agree to this marriage. I must be certain that you can get Yethro to permit you to marry my niece while you are still a Christian. Otherwise this plan will not work."
"First of all, I have not even met your niece yet! I will admit that she looks very enticing and intriguing, but let's not rush things. What difference would it make if we were to wait until after I converted? Why must I remain Christian?" asked Jess. "It would be much easier if we waited until I converted. Then, maybe Yethro would be more amenable."
"Yes he would, but in order for our plan to work I need to have total access to you. I, and the Imam, will become your mentors in Islam. Yethro can no longer be recognized as such. He is not trusted anymore. As a brother-in-law to an infidel, I would have the responsibility and obligation to do this. After all, we would be family and amongst our people this is very proper and important. But first you have to trick him into giving you permission to marry her. Do you think you can really fool him?"
"One does not fool Yethro! He is way too smart for that. Besides if she were all you say, why would I have to trick him? I'm sure he will have some objection to it. I know he would rather I convert first, but he might go along with it if I can convince him that it's his idea." Then seeing the look of skepticism in his eyes, Jesse added, "I can see that you don't think I can do it. Why not? Don't tell me intermarriage is not permitted? I know of many people who have done it. The question is not whether he will permit it, but whether your family and Islam will permit it? Besides, why is it so important to you that I do not convert? I should think you would want me to submit myself to the will of.."
"For God's sake, Jess, how many times do I have to tell you. This is a 'Christian' nation and as of now the people will not stand for a non-Christian in the Presidency. Hell, they did not even want one to run for the State Office. The only way he might have become Governor was to run as Lt. Governor. As such it was hoped he would have a good chance to succeed him in the next election. Then Yethro got lucky, the poor man died and Yethro took over the office. At first some of us thought the old Bedouin had helped him to die, but such a thing would be too risky, even for Yethro. I will admit that now he might be reelected to the office on his own, but even that might not happen." Holding his hands up as if to ward off any objections, he continued, "Face it! You Americans are xenophobic. We all saw this during the 'Johnson/Goldwater' era and when that other Jew tried to run for the office. They just won't accept a full-blooded non-Christian as their leader. No, as much as you people hate to face it--you are not going to vote for a real Moslem."
"Well, what about Obama?" Jessie countered. "He is not only a Moslem, but a black man also. There was a time when, as a black, man he could not have even run."
"That's a different story and one that more or less proves what I'm saying. The people were tired of Bush's domestic policies and his wars. They wanted change and would have voted for Mickey Mouse if given the chance. In any event Obama is no Moslem. While his father was, he himself is not. He's not Black his, mother was white. You people used to call him a Zebra. Besides he is a weak man. All of these shortcomings are leading to his downfall. You, on the other hand, will be able to overcome his inadequacies. You are white and Christian, you will have a Moslem wife but this should not hinder you."
"I hope not!" Jess said and again questioned if Islam would permit it.
"The future of Islam is the will of the Caliphate and it will permit anything as long as it serves our purposes. They permit suicide, murder, theft, lying and a whole lot more. Yes, even intermarriage, while frowned upon, would be allowed in some cases. Even the prophet had wives of different religions. But you are not in his class," Rashid laughed, and then continued. "However, you might just be considered a special case. After all, Yethro did get permission to adopt you not only from a civil court, but also by Sharia Law. I have to tell you, Jesse, since then, important and powerful men have been watching you. They have been trying to find some reason to discredit you and Yethro. We do not allow men like you to become involved with us unless we are sure that they would serve our purposes. There still are a lot of questions and opposition to your father's actions. At one time this included me. And believe me, there's still a hardcore of people who think Yethro has lost his mind. But even those hardcore leaders are changing their minds. Several months ago I was ordered to investigate and report on the situation. I must admit that I, too, had my reservations. But, not any longer. The fact that we are sleeping together has nothing to do with it. I have watched you in the community and in the Mosque. Unlike most potential converts, you are really interested in being a Moslem. Yes, even this has been reported on. It is widely known that you are attending Mosque and taking lessons from a respected Imam. If you were to pledge to raise your children as Moslems and send them to Moslem schools, I know I can get not only my family's permission, but also their blessing and I'm sure that Yethro will use his money and power to smooth the hurt feelings of big shots who might still object. Gold and power have a way of smoothing rough waters."
Jesse laughed so hard that he could hardly say, "I'll bet that 'bride price' will help also! However, we will not talk about that as I'm sure both you and your niece are more than worth all of this. By the way, what is her name and how old is she?"
Joining in the laughter, Rashid said, "Here you are almost married to her and this is the first time you ask me that. Were you waiting until you took her to the marriage bed? Her name is, Rania, but we call her Ronnie. It sounds more American! I wanted her to fit into the life here. She is 17 almost 18."
"You better not tell Yethro that as he does not want to have an 'Americanized' daughter-in-law living with us. An American woman tends to think that she rules the entire home and not the man, as it should be. My father is afraid my marriage to anyone but a young rural Moslem virgin would interfere with our sex lives. Even though he approved and, in fact, insisted that I date Phyllis, he never really encouraged us to marry. In fact, he instructed me not to get too serious with her or any other girl. He told me I was to use her only to get experience for my real marriage, which he would arrange. He believes that the husband should bring expertise to his wife and not the other way around."
"And you accepted that?"
"Yes, I gladly did because I was not in love with her. She knows this and agreed. It's also the reason that we must make him feel that all this is his idea. If he ever suspects that there is anything sexual about our friendship, or that any of this was planned, you will find yourself as a eunuch in some Pasha's harem in the middle of some stinking desert. That is, if you are lucky! And I would hate to see you lose your tackle over me."
