I arrive home

[Benjamin Naifeh Atiyeh]

 

Walking up the steps to our home in Egypt.  Will she still be there waiting? Will she still want me? 
If she has left me then I deserve it for being gone so long.

As I open the door... I call out to the house, “Tia? My lovely Tia... Are you home? It is your Benji come 
home from wandering!” Ilse and Rick run to the entryway.  “Well, hello you two!” I say as I pick each 
one up and scruff their ears.  “Where is your momma?”  Ilse is quick to reply with a “mau” that sounds 
more like a “Where have you been? I have been worried sick about you!”.  Rick just wraps his body 
around my legs, meowing quietly waiting patiently for more attention.   

I begin to search every room of the house for Tia.  The mail is on my desk as usual.  I will go over 
that later... I need to find Tia.  

I take a chance and check the answering machine... There is a message from Liam inviting Tia 
to a Ball in Ireland on Saturday, March 13th.  A quick check of the calendar by the phone shows 
that that is tomorrow.  

Can I get to Ireland in time? Will Tia have gone? It is the only clue I have to make amends with her.  

I have to chance it.