That night at Basel's home Peter could tell something was wrong with Jonathan. He thought he might know the issue, but he wanted to make sure.
'Jonathan, is something bothering you?"
Jonathan looked at his uncle. Should he tell him? 'Uncle Peter, may I ask you something?"
"Of course'
"Did you see the way Ardeth looked at Mother? It made me feel like he thinks of her as his…. As, I don't know, like an object"
Peter thought for a moment and then said "Yes, I can see where you would think that. And she is your mother and you want to protect her"
Jonathan nodded.
Peter continued "I am sure Ardeth is used to getting what he wants, but I don't think he thinks of Ali as an object."
He then added "Why don't we talk to Basel, she could possibly explain things better"
Jonathan looked horrified "I don't want Basel to know"
'You don't want me to know what?" they heard from behind them.
Peter looked at Jonathan who now had a horrified look on his face. He spoke hesitantly "Basel. I'm sorry. It's just that…." He stopped not knowing how to continue.
Jonathan then spoke up. 'Basel I mean no disrespect, it's just that I did not like the way Ardeth looked at my Mother earlier. It made me feel as though he thinks of her as on object. I'm sorry"
"Dear, there is no reason to be sorry. I understand. But believe me, he doesn't think of her as a possession. He still loves her very much and I can promise you he meant no disrespect. In fact his time with your Mother actually changes several things in our village"
Jonathan looked at her with a confused expression on his face "I don't understand."
Basel smiled at him and said "Has your Mother told you of what happened to her before she came to our village?"
Jonathan nodded so she continued "After she left, well what she had been through then and when she was kidnapped weighed on Ardeth. How a man could do that to a woman. Our culture had unfortunately always, maybe not condoned but looked away from issues like that. But after thinking about what she went through Ardeth took a stand. He convinced our counsel and the counsel and leaders of the other tribes that it would no longer be acceptable."
Peter spoke "That's incredible, Basel. Honestly, even in America, unfortunately there are no laws. I'm so glad that Ardeth was able to do that"
"It was his way of trying to make amends for what happened to her. Even though he didn't do it, he saw the ramifications of what it did to Ali"
Jonathan took it all in and then said "I'm sorry Basel. I didn't realize"
"Child there is no reason to be sorry. You were only protect your Mother"
