Page 79 - Javanan Magazine Issue # 1908

From The Desk Of The Editor ISSUE No. 1902
JAVANAN

Ebi, Los Angeles
I searched for my son Mazdak
myself and started drinking. If on social media and found him.
When I called him, he was very
a friend hadn't happened to see surprised. "Mom said you left us
me in a night bar, I might have for a young girl." He said.
become a full-fledged alcoholic "So you weren't aware of what
by now. He took me to his house was happening in those days?" I
and locked me there for four days, asked.
Mehdi was my school friend. He "I was, but I was in my own
saved my life with his kindness. world."
Then he gave me a room in his "What are you doing now?"
apartment and insisted that I don't "I work in the field of social
think about finding a job for now media and computer program-
Sepideh and I left Iran about and go with him to gatherings of ming. I haven't heard from mom
acquaintances and friends so that
28 years ago. We were both I could relax and forget about the and uncles and aunts for several
full of youthful passion and big past. After a few months, Mehdi years."
dreams. Our only son Maz- suggested that I start working as "Are they still together?"
dak was six years old. He was an assistant in a friend's repair "Mom didn't have any experience
excited that we were going to a shop and then, when my skills are in repair shop work. his brothers
new country and often asked us noticed, I should think about my took over the repair shop and the
about America; Disney world, plans for the future. house by trickery and sent her to a
Pinocchio, and other things. And So, Through the same repair shop, rented apartment."
"So what about that caring fam-
I would tell him all the informa- they tried to cut off I met a person who worked for
tion I had. my relationship with them. I didn't a big company and needed an ily?"
"Caring family? I heard that mom
We had only one nephew in New see my friends anymore. I didn't experienced repairman. My life has been sick for months and is
York who made many promises. feel good about their interference, changed from that day. At that hospitalized in a clinic."
And he helped us greatly. He but I didn't want to argue with the company, I was making double "Why don't you visit her?"
accepted us in his apartment for guests. So I kept silent. Then, two what I was making in New York. "I'm busy with my fiancé, my job,
three months, then rented us a of Sepideh's brothers came to my Every day they gave me new and my future. She humiliated me
small apartment. I found a suit- repair shop to help. Both had no responsibilities, to the extent many times in front of her family.
able job very soon due to my experience. I tried to teach them that they entrusted me with three She once told me not to disturb
experience in repairing all kinds the techniques and go step by step big branches of the company. I her. So I have nothing to do with
of vehicles. Our life was going with them. finally got back on my feet. After her anymore."
on with love and peace. Sepideh From the very first weeks, the five years, I bought a nice house I got Sepideh's address and two
was working in a cosmetics store. older brother started objecting to and felt alive again. I opened the weeks later we went to visit her
Our income was enough to buy a the way I dealt with customers. door to my friends. At the same together with my wife. We found
house and build a dignified life for "You respect these people too time, one of my brothers came Sepideh in a remote government
ourselves. much." He said. "You have to to the US with his wife and two center. When she called me, I
When I started a good business stand firm. You have to decide the children. I welcomed them into didn't recognize her at first. I went
and got a high income, Sepideh's day of your choice regarding the my house. Both of them came to her bed. She wanted to get
brothers and sisters also arrived. delivery of their car. They should with lottery green cards and were up from the bed, but she had no
They were all our guests, who know that you, as well as us, are looking for a job. I introduced strength. Sholeh went forward, sat
soon became the house rulers. the decision-makers. And If some- my brother, who had a good on the bed, and hugged her. Sepi-
Almost all the rooms in our house thing went wrong, don't let them background in accounting, to an deh, as if she had found a refuge
were full. Everything I bought complain." Iranian company. Fortunately, he after a long time, laid her head on
was consumed within two weeks. These orders and their arbitrari- got settled very quickly. Then, Sholeh's chest and cried.
Of course, I was happy that we ness caused many customers not some of his wife's friends joined Three days later, Sholeh and I
were all together. Whatever they to come to my repair shop. The them. They were just the type of took responsibility and brought
asked for, I prepared for them. old customers told me that with Sepideh's family. Sepideh, who was broken and
Daily recipes, inviting guests, these two new colleagues, we no I warned my brother about the emaciated, to Los Angeles and put
and weekend trips, all were done longer have anything to do with possible consequences, which her in one of the rooms. Sholeh
according to their wishes. Sepi- you. made him talk to his wife and tell nursed her like a kind sister, and
deh was very happy. In Iran, we I talked with Sepideh's broth- her my life story. His wife agreed Sepideh gradually got better and
were not as close as we are here, ers, but that night there was a with him and soon those friends found the strength to walk and
she would say. I wish our parents big argument at home. That led were removed from their lives. speak. One day when Sholeh
were here to see this. to an argument between me and In four years, my brother and and I came back from work, we
I did not fail to do whatever Sepi- Sepideh. Later, it was dragged his wife bought a house, saved smelled the enchanting smell of
deh wanted, from buying clothes to the workplace and the gather- money, and brought his wife's food. Sepideh had cooked dinner
to providing the necessities of life ing of friends and family. One lonely mother from Iran to take for us. As soon as Sholeh entered,
for the guests. I even took them to night, when I protested against care of their children. Sepideh hugged him. "Let me
Los Angeles twice to visit Dis- their insults, Sepideh said that she Then, I met a woman and after stay here. I'll do whatever I can to
neyland and Universal Studios. wanted a divorce. After the di- eight months we got married. help."
It didn't matter how much I paid, vorce, the court gave Sepideh the Sholeh was an educated, under- "This is your home too," Sholeh
as long as Sepideh was happy. house plus half of the repair shop. standing, and genuine woman said. "Also Mazdak is coming to
Gradually, our new guests started I had to sell my share to them who gave me new energy for see you today. He wants to invite
commenting on my relationship and get out of their lives with an life. One day when I was flip- you to his wedding."
with my old friends and family amount of money I did not expect. ping through the photo album, I Sepideh jumped up and down
members. They told me that they Since I was a complete wreck, I suddenly realized that I had not with excitement and we watched
are not qualified people. They said came to Los Angeles and within heard from my son during the her happily.
they have uneducated children. six months, I closed all doors on eight years that I had come to LA.

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