Letters to Gibran

Chapter 5

"So you're from the western suburbs. Is it as bad as what everyone makes it out to be?" Matthew asked.

For the past hour Nathan, Matthew and I had conversed over just about everything. From family, to drugs and parties, travel plans and number one bucket list destinations and even who we voted for in the last national election. I had been keeping track of the number of drinks I had during our conversation which was only two. Although it was a small amount, I was beginning to feel a lot more lighter since coming in. The tension behind the back of my head was fading by the minute.

"If you're referring to the shootings that are reported on Channel 9 every week then no. It isn't that bad" I swirled the alcohol that was still left in my glass with my straw before taking another sip.

He gave me a quizzical look as if he didn't believe what I was saying. "So no shootings or stabbings at all?".

Nathan rolled his eyes at Matthew. "She said no, didn't she?"

Matthew nodded and opened his mouth to continue but Nathan cut in. "Jesus Christ. Drop it".

I couldn't help the frown over my face when he said that. His face fell when he noticed my expression. "Sorry, I forgot you're religious".

"You say it like it's a bad thing"

He raised his hands innocently. "I swear I didn't mean anything by it". I shook my head, rolling my eyes before I directed my conversation back to Matthew who seemed to be loving the moment.

"Back to what you were saying Matthew-"

He cut me off quickly. "It's Matty,  Amira-Rose. Just Matty".

"Alright, Matty". He nodded in approval.

"I mean last year there was a shooting two streets from where I live but these things happen anywhere. There's a 50/50 chance of it happening in the eastern suburbs but it's just not reported".

I heard him shift in his seat as he turned to face me. "But there's no reason for it to occur here. There's no...." his words faltered as he stopped himself from saying something he was going to regret.

I stared at him blankly. "You mean no muslims. Right?"

Matty bit his lip trying to hide the shame, while Nathan shot him a stern face but when he felt me staring at him, he shrugged his shoulders and gave me an expression that read it is what it is. I could feel the frustration seeping through, I just hoped that it wouldn't be evident with what I was to say next.

"Were you guys just told from a young age that muslims are the cause of all shootings and stabbings that happen in our streets?"

Nathan sat there stoically while Matty looked up, contemplating what he was going to say.

I raised my hand up to Matty, "Actually don't answer that".

They both sat there in silence. "My next door neighbours are muslims and they are the nicest people you will ever meet". The Hamed's were a family of five and had been living next door to us for about twenty-two years now. Every time we had gone on a family trip to Lebanon they took care of our house, even my brother's house. The day of my brother's wedding, they let us use their driveway for the cars that lined up our street and for those who came to witness the spectacle.