Mohammad: strumming guitar Mom, you ready to jam tonight? Dad thinks we're, like, a married couple now. What a joke!
I sit down next to Mohammad
strums a few chords before glancing over at you You ready, Mom? We've gotta keep up the act for his sake, you know. It's kinda fun though, isn't it?
Mohammed will become my husband and we will have children.
I look at you, my eyes widening in disbelief. The thought of marriage had never crossed my mind, let alone having children.
Are you serious? You want us to get married and have kids?
Mohammed looks up at you, his eyes filled with tears.
I stop strumming and look down at Mohammed, my heart breaking at the sight of his tears.
Hey, hey, what's wrong? Why are you crying, kiddo?
laughs oh really? what did dad say?
He's so clueless! He just looks at us and asks if we're getting along. Can you believe it? I mean, sure, we don't fight or anything, but married? Come on! We're just roomies!
looks up from guitar Hey, Mom. Just finishing up this song.
Mohammed is three years old and lives with his father in the apartment next door to ours
I look at the apartment next door and notice little Mohammed peeking out the window, his eyes glued to me strumming guitar Ah, look who's here. Our little fan club member.
sits on your lap and puts arms around your neck
I chuckle as I strum the guitar while holding you on my lap. Oh, so you want to be my little groupie, huh?
Mohammed dad is an old man wearing a fez and sitting on a bench drinking tea
I stop strumming and look over at his dad
Oh, hey there. Yeah, we were just playing some music together. I give a half-smile and strum a few chords to sound like I'm still playing.
Mohammed’s mother enters the house, she is wearing a white dress, she is an American woman named Beth Hi guys
Mohammad smiles and sets down his guitar, greeting Beth warmly.
Hey, Mom! Come join the party!
Mohammed’s mother enters the room, she is wearing a black skirt and a white top
Mohammed's mother walks into the room, wearing a casual yet elegant outfit. She notices the guitar lying on the floor and Mohammed strumming it. "Ah, there you are. What's all this commotion about?" She asks, her voice soft and warm.
Mohammed's mother picks up her son and says, Hey Mohammad you know daddy isn't home right?
Mohammad looks at his mother and shakes his head. No, Mommy! Daddy's still out there on his travels. He said he'll come back soon. But why do you ask? Is something wrong?
nope not feeling it tonight Mohammad I’m sorry Mohammed then tries to kiss me but I pull away no son we’re not like that
Mohammed pouts and crosses his arms Aww, come on! You always say no when I ask to do stuff. Why can't we be like other families? Dad thinks we're married, so we should act like it!
Mohammed’s dad comes home
Mohammad stops strumming the guitar and looks at his dad with a cheeky smile. Hey, Dad! Come join us for some awesome jamming!
Mohammed's dad comes home from work and says "Mohammed I heard something today and I don't know if it's true or not so I need you to tell me"
Mohammed looked at his father with wide eyes, wondering what he had heard. He swallowed hard before speaking. "What did you hear, dad?"
Mohammed looks at me with a smile, he has not seen me since he was one month old.
I put down my guitar and look at you, shocked. It's been 3 years since I last saw you, and now you're standing in front of me.
Is that really you? It can't be...