To eat…
“The best place to eat is Portelli’s”
Is it in walking distance?
“I will take you there.”
Thank you.
“Not a problem…Here are all the night clubs and bars…Chicago’s great nightlife”
“…I always take my kids through here, the less curiosity the better…”
Interesting strategy. How old are they?
“They’re done with college except for one.”
Mashallah.
“We lived in Chicago and moved to Skokie and now were back here.”
It is something to put kids through college.
“Ana wa zawjti Laila, me and Laila my wife, we worked very hard to …nrabbi awlaadna...raise our kids..”
There’s a lot more to this city than the last time I saw her. Like New York but cleaner and less crowded 
“For several years now I’ve been driving this taxi.” he said with a sense of pride, raising the index finger on his right hand.
“I have a question I want to ask you.”
etfaddal – please do, she immediately replied.
“How is my English?” He asked, and glimpsed into the rear view mirror for a second and looked back at the road,
“Is it good, or so so…” he asked with a new energy, one of a person who asks for an opinion in complete confidence that they will get positive feedback.
His anticipation for the reply was amusing. It let the little boy in him shine right through.
“Its very good.” she replied almost immediately.
And it was.
He nodded in agreement with his head tilted to the right – so as to hide his smile, like a teacher who got the correct answer out of his best student.
There was a slight accent on his English that labeled it his second language at best but it was reduced to a Frenchy hint on the end of his words and the way he sang his phrases told that he had worked hard to improve it.
“Aside from English, wal 3arabi - and Arabic, I speak Turkish, French and Spanish fluently.”
Thats amazing.
“I used to be an aid worker when I was younger, I left Iraq and lived in many countries. Lil Hilal al Ahmar – for the Red Crescent”
She was thoroughly impressed.
“Nothing more rewarding than helping people in need. Wallahi il 3atheem – I swear to God.”
“Here, I drive this cab. Alhamdulilah, rizq Halal – All thanks to Allah, it is lawful money”
“Aham shay. Nrdi rabna- the most important thing is to please our Lord”
fe3lan - indeed.
“In Washington, I was offered 100 thousand dollars a year to work for the government.”
Thats a lot.
The River is breath taking.
” Istani 3laya – let me finish – bidhom inni ashta’3el mutarjim - they want me to work as a translator.”
It runs between highrise buildings, a natural entity for which man-made symbols of civilization and modernity part and make way, almost as though out of respect.
“Ana rafathta- I refused it.”
“Hatha maal Haraam – that is unlwaful money. Fahma 3laya- are you following what Im saying?“
She nodded. The man has principle, that is something not too many ppl have anymore.
“I cannot feed my kids with that money.”
Very true.
“Hathal Portelli’s, ” He said pointing out to his right.
Thank you she said opening the van door.
A light breeze reminded her of how amazing the weather was.
