Blue-Haired Muslim

Chapter 12: Halal

"Do you pray like this every Friday?" Sam asked once Max and the rest of the congregation finished up with their prayers.

"You got it. Every Friday at the mosque. It's humbling to lower your head to God, just to thank him for life," Max sighed and glanced at the Arabic calligraphy on the walls. "It's a feeling I've never truly felt in my life before. I have no idea how to explain it."

"Ethereal?" Sam asked while they walked to their car.

"Yeah. Yeah, man. THAT'S the word. I never thought I'd use that word, but after prostrating in front of God, that's how I feel. Ethereal. High five," Max proclaimed before holding his hand up, expecting a high-five from his son. Sam smirked before fulfilling the expectation. His dad was never boring. That was one of the perks of being raised by his father alone, they were closer than most.

"I'm taking you home and then I have to head to work," Max explained while roaring the car to life.

"Why are you leaving so early?" Sam asked in surprise.

"Audits. The company has stuffy suited guys coming in for inspection and I'll have to explain why I have three sets of screwdrivers," Max sighed.

"Oh. Hope you get out alive. What should I make for food?" Sam asked with a smile. He always attempted making enough so when his father came home, he'd have cooked food waiting for him.

"I cleared our tab at the diner, even though Sarah put up a fight. Go there and get whatever you want. Bring me back some pie. I've got a hankering for pecan pie," Max instructed.

Sam nodded and looked out the window. The diner's owner, Sarah, was an old acquaintance of Max's. She was a kind middle-aged woman who would serve him whatever he wanted from the menu when Max wasn't there. She always said she'd put it on their "tab," but whenever Max went to clear their tab, Sarah would say it was on her. She was kind and caring, something Sam found refreshing. The diner wasn't far from home, allowing Sam to ride his bike there and back in only twenty minutes.

Max dropped Sam off at their house and waved before speeding away. Sam sighed, kicking at little pebbles while walking to the door. I still need to finish my church stuff. Plus Mr. Dareth gave us a new chapter in physics. Maybe I should eat first and then get to all my homework. Plus it's Saturday tomorrow, so if I do my church stuff tonight, I can do physics tomorrow. Win-win, Sam. Win-win.

After changing into a worn down t-shirt and shorts, Sam grabbed his bike, wore his helmet, and raced down the street towards the diner. There was something nostalgic about the place, Sam noted as he saw the red and white diner across the intersection. The diner was like every diner he had ever seen in movies. It always seemed packed with students, families, and soldiers. Since they were in a military city, there was never a shortage of soldiers and sometimes even marines.

Sam parked his bike at the stand in front of the diner and proceeded to use the small bike lock attached to the frame of his bike. The city was generally a pretty good area, but Sam didn't want to risk having his bike stolen simply because he was feeling lazy. His father had spent many months saving up enough money to buy him the bike nearly three years ago. He was grateful for the gift and constantly serviced it to keep it in it's near perfect state.

"Sam the Man!" A middle-aged woman with greying hair called out as Sam walked through the door.

Sam involuntarily smiled and waved before having a seat at the counter,

"Hey, Mrs. Attar. How are you today?" 

"I keep telling you to call me Sarah, boy," Sarah scolded, but smiled at Sam in a motherly fashion. "I'm doing well. How about yourself?"