Free Veil of Roses by Laura Fitzgerald

tell them how Josef is a widower and that he takes the class on trips after each session. I tell them about Eva, who is German and who laughs all the time, who seems to laugh at life itself. I tell them about Nadia, how she looks like she maybe could use a friend. I tell them how the class sang for me. I tell them about my mistake in trying to pay for a free sample of tea. At this, they laugh very hard. I tell them of my fear when the police came to the Starbucks and I thought they were coming to arrest me. I tell them about Ike, and how he came outside to look after my welfare and explained to me what a free sample is and how he offered to help me practice my English.
    At this, Maryam’s eyes narrow and so I turn my attention to eating my
chelo
kebab.
    “I can take you to school tomorrow,” Maryam informs me in a slightly hardened voice. I stuff a large spoonful of rice into my mouth. “And I can pick you up afterward, too.”
    I should not have mentioned the incident with the police. Or anything at all about Ike.
    “My boss says that perhaps soon I can change my schedule,” she continues in a pleasant voice. “Then I’ll be able to drive you to class each day. You shouldn’t be walking alone on the streets.”
    I drop my eyes and concentrate on scooping more yogurt onto my rice. “My teacher has given us an assignment to speak with three strangers every day to practice our English.” I keep my voice neutral. “I intended to stop in at several stores each day to ask questions of the shopkeepers on my way to and from school.”
    “I’ll take you to the mall. There are plenty of shopkeepers there.”
    I reach for my water glass and will myself not to cry. Today was my first day of true freedom all by myself, free even from my sister’s admonitions, and I am heartbroken to think it may be my last.
    I am thankful when Ardishir speaks up. “It seems like she enjoys walking.”
    “She doesn’t need to be distracting herself with talking to American men,” Maryam snaps at him.
    I knew it.
    Ardishir studies me for a moment, and then asks Maryam, “What would your new work schedule be?”
    “Four to ten P.M . Wednesdays through Sundays.”
    He frowns. “That is no good. That’s when I’m home.”
    “Tami can prepare dinner for you. Can’t you, Tami?”
    “Of course,” I reply, over the lump in my throat. I stare at my plate so they do not see the despair that I am sure is in my eyes.
    “I want for us to have dinner together,” Ardishir says firmly. “Husband and wife. That is what is right. I want for us to spend our evenings and weekends together like we always have. When you accepted your job, that was part of the arrangement.”
    “Well, things change,” Maryam replies with anger in her voice. I suspect he seldom orders her to do anything.
    “Ardishir is right,” I say quickly. “I don’t want to be a burden to you. I don’t want to come between you and your husband.”
    “You’re not coming between us.” Maryam glares at Ardishir. “She was almost arrested!”
    “No she wasn’t.”
    “Well, she thought she was. That’s bad enough. Can you imagine how frightened she must have been?”
    “Walking is good for her,” Ardishir states.
    “I felt very safe today, except for those policemen, and that was my mistake,” I tell Maryam. “Please, it’s very important for me to learn about America and learn how to handle things on my own. I do not want my husband to have to accompany me everywhere after I’m married. I should learn how to take care of myself.”
    She sighs.
    “It’s just—you’re so naïve, Tami.”
    “I know,” I agree.
    “You need to be careful around men.”
    “I am,” I tell her.
    “They take advantage of women alone,” she continues. “Especially when they know you’re new here and don’t understand American customs. They’ll try to be alone with you and corrupt you.”
    I think of my ride on the back of Ike’s scooter. I tried to hold on only to his