Chapter Seven: However Far Away, Whatever Words I Say
Life doesn't repair itself over night. It took many days, weeks, and months before things could become even half-way normal for the launderette, Tania, or Omar.
There were inquests to be arranged, questions to be answered, and much repair work to be done before the launderette was back up and running. Omar, Johnny, and others worked like mad but ultimately it had its re-opening in January, 1986! It re-opened to instant success (and part curiosity from news-seekers who had heard about the tragedy) but remained a success in that area of London.
Tania spent many times in denial and tears before she accepted her paralysis, but began to take her physical therapy seriously. She also had the assistance and support of her family, Max, and Frida, which became closer through helping her. Tania, Max, and Frida were eventually able to return to Paris where Tania enrolled in Sorbonne University, with a Masters in French and English Literature, ultimately becoming a lecturer, professor, and author in Feminist Literature and Gender Studies. The same year that she graduated was also the year that she married Max and officially adopted Frida. Max continued to paint, having many gallery showings and exhibits. Frida evolved into a bright sassy, worldly young lady with her parents' talent for art and outspokenness. Though they made Paris their home, they continued to keep in touch with and write to Tania's family in London, even visiting them once a year.
While Nassar initially disapproved of the match, he came around because of Max's devotion to Tania. Also, because Raina had an arranged marriage with a man who had emigrated from Pakistan with his family. Since, one of his daughters had the son-in-law that he hoped for; Nassar was able to let up on Tania as well as Dasha, who showed an interest in medicine and is considering becoming a doctor. Also, Nassar had issues of his own to attend to. Shortly after Tania's hospitalization, he and Rachel resumed their affair. Even though she and Bilques continued to take swipes at each other in public, Bilques made no more attempts on the other woman's life by cursing or otherwise. It was said though never stated that the two in private rather enjoyed their rivalry and making life a merry Hell for Nassar!
There were also trials, witnesses, and some pretty dark threats. Genghis was sentenced to 10 years for the explosion, but had it commuted to 7 with option of parole. No parents would charge him formally for the rapes and though Johnny was willing to go forward with it, Omar stayed him. Johnny relented believing that Omar had suffered enough at his hand. Genghis had an advantageous romance with a solicitor's daughter while in prison and studied politics and law during his internment. He expressed interest in promoting Webster's values any way and at all costs.
Salim too received a lighter sentence than was hoped for. He was originally sentenced to 12 years with possible deportment. However, his very clever solicitors managed to have most of the evidence that Cherry collected thrown out in court, because of revenge and a potential extramarital affair with the injured but highly commended Sgt. Field. Salim's sentence was commuted to 6 years with possibility of parole. He also waived custodial rights of his son. There were rumors that he made some very dangerous alliances in prison, but those were just rumors right?
Cherry had fled the country shortly before Salim's trial (another reason that the solicitors cited), taking with her the drug money but leaving her son behind. An outstanding warrant was issued should she ever return to the United Kingdom, which doesn't seem likely. As for their son, there were many debates, arguments, quarrels but ultimately Johnny and Omar adopted the boy and named him Ali.
Johnny only worked at the launderette long enough to get it up and running again. He took Zaki's brother's offer to build the restaurant and was commissioned by another businessperson, and another. It started slowly but he managed to create a mechanical contracting and building business with Moose (who had abandoned the gang after realizing that Genghis had gone too far). Their old gang separated, some remained skinheads and others had decided to go their own way. It was a success and as Nassar predicted brought new light to the Lewisham area.
After his rescue, Omar spent a long time recovering. Mostly his wounds were psychological and sometimes minds take a longer time to heal than bodies. He spent a great deal of time in rehab and fighting the twin demons of countering addiction and recurring depressive thoughts. Through Johnny and Ali's devotion, and his own will he recovered enough to foresee the repair work on the launderette, and care for Little Ali. He finally opened the second branch, formerly Zaki's place, opened later in 1987, and eventually fell under Gigi's direct management, and he contemplated a third by late 1989, which would be managed by Del. Though Johnny and Omar could not legally marry, they moved in together during Omar's recovery and ultimately moved into a bigger place with Ali and Little Ali becoming a loving and loyal couple. While there were arguments against the two making their union public, Omar won the reluctant approval of his family by reminding them that either they accept Johnny or they lose Omar. Eventually, they conceded. Omar called it a "peace treaty" and a "victory." Johnny called it a "stalemate" and "temporary cease fire." Either way it worked.
Ali was a loving and devoted grandfather to his namesake. He managed to curtail his drinking throughout Omar's recovery, but he never fully quit until his health became an issue. When Little Ali was four years old, Ali was diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension. The serious threats to his health ended his drinking days forever. However, his health continued to diminish and he passed away in 1990 with his son, son-in-law, and grandson by his side.
It was at his memorial service a month after Ali's death that we resume our story. While he had a traditional somber funeral (humorous because he was never overtly religious even to the end) , Nassar, Johnny, and Omar decided to do something greater for him. They organized a memorial service in Ali's honor with guests including family, friends, and colleagues from his days in Pakistan and working in the ALCARAF. Many were present and the family received many condolence letters from the likes of Benazir Bhutto ("a dedicated feisty woman who will take over the world one day", Ali had once predicted), Latika Milani, the former mayor of Lewisham, and others.
The family and friends had gathered in Nassar's sitting room. They talked and laughed amongst themselves sharing stories with one another. Nassar held up his hands for silence. "I would like to say a few words on behalf of my brother," he began. "Just a few."
"Uncle Nassar with you it's never just a few," Omar quipped. The crowd laughed, the loudest laughs coming from Rachel and Tania.
"I suppose that I deserve that," Nassar wryly said. "My brother Ali loved many things. A good bottle of vodka for example. A second bottle of vodka, a third bottle of vodka, and somehow I don't know how he managed it but he skipped the fourth bottle and went right to the fifth," he waited until the laughter and groans at the pun died down. "But he was a man who believed whole-heartedly in his ideals such as true justice and fairness for those that he encountered. He wasn't always an easy man to understand and less of an easy man to like, but when you knew him you had a loyal companion for life. He also above all loved his son, Omar, who helped arrange this memorial. Omar if you will stand." Omar stood as the family applauded none louder than Johnny and Little Ali. He blushed and then seated. "Now let's drink a toast to my brother's memory. To Ali Hussein."
"To Ali Hussein." They said as they clinked glasses and drank.
Omar approached the displays that he and Johnny created with Max's help. Many of them were enlarged photos, articles, and collages detailing his father's career. Omar lightly touched one as though he could just imagine his father smiling down at him. He ran his fingers along the hand in the portrait almost feeling the texture of his father's leathered skin. He refused to let himself cry, he had done that many times since he died. Omar was not about to do it now. He glanced over at Max, standing behind Tania's wheelchair and Frida by her side. "What do you think?" Omar asked Tania.
"It's incredible," Tania agreed. Omar leaned down and she hugged him.
" Uncle Omar, this is like so awesome, whatever," Frida said turning her dyed jet black hair to one of the displays. She touched one and Omar could see black fingernail polish on her nails.
"Is that a good thing?" Omar asked.
Tania and Max laughed. "As good a compliment as you will get out of her," Tania quipped. Tania then wheeled to another display with Max and Frida following close behind.
Omar walked over and tapped Johnny from behind. He carried Little Ali on his shoulders, but then lowered him down to get a closer look at one of the photographs."Was that really Daadaa?" Little Ali asked seeing a photo of his grandfather at a young age in front of a protest meeting in Pakistan. "He was a real hero wasn't he, Papa?" He asked Omar.
"Yes, he was," Omar said holding his adopted son by the shoulders. "He always was," he whispered softly.
Little Ali looked down."I miss him," he said sadly.
"I know me too," Omar agreed. Johnny squeezed Omar by the shoulder but then knelt down.
"Ali, I got you something before we came here," he said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a lollipop and handed it to the little boy.
Little Ali smiled a great wide smile. "Cherry red! Thank you, Dad, it's my favorite!" He hugged Johnny by the neck.
Johnny laughed. "You're welcome, I happen to know it was your Papa's favorite too," he said winking at Omar who laughed at the memory.
After a few more minutes of looking at the display, Little Ali shifted his legs. "Can I go outside?" he asked.
Omar and Johnny exchanged glances. "Alright," Omar said. "But stay near the house, don't wander off too far away. Don't touch anything that you're not supposed to and don't get into any rooms that you're not allowed to." Ali tried to leave before his Papa could continue with the instructions, most of which he didn't listen to. "And stay out of trouble."
"I will," Ali said as he ran off.
"He won't," Johnny replied.
"I know he won't," Omar sighed. "I just figured it was worth a shot." Omar and Johnny looked at the photographs embracing each other. Despite losing his father, Omar never felt more complete nor happier than when he was with Johnny and Little Ali. He knew that his father approved. Impulsively, he leaned towards Johnny and kissed him on the mouth. "Thank you."
Johnny smiled wryly and pulled him closer. "What are you," he whispered, "a girl?" The two laughed as Johnny lifted Omar by his feet and returned the kiss.
The End