AS THE MOUSE

OVES©

Wednesday November 22^nd, 2000
"Tiffany I love only you," Amir said pleading with her to forgive him and understand the events of the last few weeks.  He watched her face closely in the dim light from the lamp on the table in the dark apartment.  He found her shockingly beautiful for a woman that had just been awakened in the early morning hours to answer the door.
"Why didn't you tell me you were married Amir?"
"For this I regret.  I expect my wife die many times. I plan to tell you then I worry that you become angry and refuse to see me," he said in his broken English.
"I'm sure angry now.  I have to find out in the newspapers and television along with the rest of the world."
"I never plan this to happen."
"What did you plan to happen then?"
"I plan to tell you last week but you have problems with job.  I decide this not... how you say…proper time."
"What do you expect from me now?" she said as the tears started to freely flow down her cheeks.
"I understand if you tell me leave forever."
"You do?"
"Yes, this I understand, but I regret forever my loss."
"Now I don't have you and I don't have a job," she said reaching for a Kleenex on the table beside the sofa.  She looked at her dirty bedroom shoes and stretched T-shirt beside his tuxedo and elegant Italian shoes and the tears flowed more freely. 
"I find you other job.  Or you get this job back, this I swear for you."
"Clark hired someone else."
"I never see this person at party."
"No.  Cause he fired her tonight when he caught her in the kitchen with the new chef in a compromising position," she said trying to hide her delight.  This was Clark's punishment for firing her over her involvement with Amir, she thought.
"This explain food," he said thoughtfully.  "How you know this?"
"Laney called me and told me.  She wanted me to crash the party but I wouldn't come."
"Laney.  You friend with this Laney?" he asked surprised that she had become close to Stanley Morgan's young lover, a Playbody model.
"Yes, we've become friends."
"You know she model in how you say… girly magazine."
"Yes, she modeled for Playbody.  Stanley doesn't mind.  She has to do whatever it takes to take care of herself.  She said she could help me get a job modeling too," she said watching his reaction closely.
"You model in this magazine?"
"Would you care?"
"Of course I care for this.  You are my woman and love," he said reaching to hold her as she pulled away.
"You have a wife, she's your woman and love."
"I tell you she is very ill.  She only live short time I have to care for her."
"But you're taken Amir". 
"You want that we marry one day?"
"Well…I don't know but I would like to think we might," she said shyly.
"Everything is same as day we meet.  There no change in my heart, only that I love you and have sick wife.  Doctors say she not live very long.  Until this day I support her.  Is my how you say…duty."
"I guess I do understand.  I was just so hurt that you didn't tell me.  Do you promise to always tell me everything from now on?"
"I promise... I tell you everything.  I promise I love only you.  I promise you... forever," he said pulling her into his arms.
CONTINUED TOMORROW. MORE PHOTOS BELOW.