When Jack and Troy arrived at the beach they found Lalla Khadija placing a large serving dish with watermelon on a small table in the middle of everyone seated. “You’ve arrived just in time,” she said.
Taieb said, “Jack and Troy, I would like to introduce my family… this is my daughter, Souad. These are my sons, Said, Hamid, and Abdelhaq.”
Jack and Troy shook each of their hands, and then sat down on portable folding chairs that were next to the small table.
Hamid said, “We’ve been playing some soccer and hope to work you into a game.”
Troy said, “We’re not that good.”
“Good, then we have a better chance to beat you,” said a smiling Hamid.
Souad asked, “Where are you guys staying?”
Jack said, “At the Waikiki Pension – it’s not far from here.”
“Oh, you’re staying in the old medina. That must be fun,” said Souad.
“Yes, it’s actually quite interesting. We’ve never seen anything like it – the narrow, winding streets – no cars – pretty amazing.”
Souad said, “If you think this old medina is interesting, you must see the ones in Fes and Marrakesh. More than 100,000 people live inside the old medina in Fes.”
Troy said, “You must be kidding.”
Taieb said, “No she’s not. You really must see it. How long are you staying? Abdelhaq works in Fes and you could stay with him if you go there.”
Abdelhaq said, “Yeah, for sure – you are always welcome – and my wife’s a great cook. Do you like Moroccan food?”
Jack said, “Well, actually, I am a little embarrassed to say we really haven’t had any yet.”
“Oh, that’s a shame, stated Lalla Khadija – we will take care of that – we are having couscous a little bit later, at the house. You must come. I’ll also make you my special tajine of chicken, prunes, and honey.”
Troy asked, “What’s a tajine?”
Souad said, “Well, it’s a dish that… well, maybe a bit like a stew – but different. There are many types and we make them in a special kind of dish or pot that we call a tajine. I suppose what is important to know is that there are many kinds of tajines and the best feature is always the taste. Moroccans know how to mix spices together to bring out tastes that you can easily get addicted to.”
“Really?” asked Troy? “I am not sure I like spicy food.”
Souad added with a smile, “I think you are thinking about spicy hot food. Moroccan food is not spicy hot like Thai or Mexican food – it’s spicy tasty.”
“Well, I’d like to try it,” said Jack.
“One thing you must know is that we eat fresh food. Like this watermelon. We don’t eat food that comes out of a can or a box!” exclaimed Taieb. Everyone laughed.
Later Troy played soccer with Said, Hamid, and Abdelhaq and some pickup players that came along the beach, while Jack chatted with Taieb, Lalla Khadija, and Souad under the big umbrella.
“So what are you going to be doing, Jack?” Asked Taieb.
“Well, we are going to go to a professional wrestling match Saturday night. One of the wrestlers invited us. Troy and I wrestled in the States but it was Olympic style wrestling. We are going to go see the professional matches just for fun.”
As the sun was about to set, Jack and Troy helped Taieb’s family gather everything together and they headed to Tahiti Beach where they had some mint tea while waiting for each other to take a shower and change into their street clothes. Jack was disappointed that Bahia was no longer working at the drink stand.
When Jack came out of the cabinee and gave the key to Driss, Driss gave Jack a small envelope and said, “Bahia asked me to give this to you.”
Jack excused himself and went to the restroom where he could read the note in private. It said, “Jack, if you have time I will be at the Aziza Tea Shop and Bakery on Boulevard Pasteur tomorrow around 2 pm. It’s near Café Mauritania.” It was signed “Bahia,” and a smiley face was drawn next to her name.
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