“I would prefer that you stop what you’re doing and talk to me.”
I carefully set the tea pitcher on the counter. “I’ll come and seeUm Alithis weekend. I promise.”
Julia crossed her arms over her chest. “Why are you avoiding us?”
“To be fair, I’m avoiding almost everyone.” I searched for a plausible excuse. “People-ing is still a lot of work for me.”
“You’re obviously seeing some folks. Nasser mentioned that he saw you recently.”
“He did?”
“He was trying to reassure Mama that you’re OK. She’s worried about you. You haven’t come to see us. You haven’t even called. Nasser told Mama he’d seen you and that you’re fine.”
“He’s right. I am. I’ve just been busy.”
“Doing what?” Julia didn’t hide her agitation. “We’re not dead, Amira. My brother died, and now you’re acting like we’re dead too.”
My face crumpled. I couldn’t help it. The pressure was too much. Julia immediately came around the island to hug me tight.
“We miss him too,habibti. We don’t want to also lose you and the kids.”
“You won’t,” I said through my tears. “That will never happen.”
“What’s really going on? Are you seeing a counselor? Maybe that would help.”
I pulled away. “Did Ali ever tell you that he bought a house in the Raleigh area?”
“No.” She tilted her head. “When did you guys get a house in North Carolina? And why?”
“Not us guys.” I sighed and slipped into a chair at the kitchen table. “Just Ali.”
“Wait.” Julia plopped down opposite me. “What?”
“After Ali died, I found out he was paying the mortgage on a house in North Carolina.”
“And you knew nothing about it? That’s crazy.” She looked dazed. “When did he supposedly buy this house?”
“Eight years ago.”
Her eyes got bigger. “Is it a rental or something?”
I shook my head. “After he died, I think the house went to a woman named Carol Darius. Have you ever heard of her?”
“What?” Shock stamped her face. “I don’t know that name. Who is she?”
“That’s the million-dollar question.” I knuckled my eyes. “All I know for sure is that Ali bought a house without my knowledge. And he left it to someone else.”
Julia scoffed. “Impossible.”
“I thought so too. But there’s a paper trail. Money to pay for the house came out of one of our joint accounts.”
“That’s insanity. There’s got to be a reasonable explanation.”
“We haven’t found one yet.”
“Wait.” Julia studied me. “You believe what? That Ali was having an affair with this woman?”
“I don’t know what to believe.”
