The Dangers of Islam: The Convert

Chapter: Memories

     "I-I-I," Athena stammered as her eyes darted from the muzzle of the weapon to the angry man holding the shotgun. 

"Saleh, put the gun down. Give the girl a chance to talk," a gentle voice called out from behind the man. 

Athena took a quick glance past Saleh and was surprised to see a woman, similar in age to Saleh, wearing a hijab. There were dark circles under the woman's eyes as if she had many sleepless nights. Her skin showed signs of premature aging, making the woman seem a lot older than she actually was. Athena felt Saleh's gun press against her chest, causing Athena to snap back to her current reality. 

"You're the one called Athena, aren't you?" The woman asked kindly.

"Uh-uh-, yes," Athena nodded quickly.

"Yes, MA'AM," Saleh corrected. "Your parents didn't teach you any manners did they?" 

"Saleh, enough. Please put down the gun. She means us no harm," the woman repeated. "I'm telling my husband to put his weapon down. You won't run, will you young lady?" The woman asked.

"No, ma'am. I swear I won't," Athena promised quickly. Saleh growled and reluctantly lowered his gun before glancing at his wife. "You need to stop being so nice, Huda. That's what gets you killed in this world." 

"I'm sorry, really I am," Athena blurted out. 

"Do you even know what you're sorry for?" Saleh growled.

"Saleh, enough. Young lady we just want to know why we keep getting your mail. This isn't the first time and our neighbors even asked us about our "daughter." We don't have a daughter," Huda shook her head and forced Athena to put her arms down. She hadn't noticed that she still had her arms up during the entire ordeal, but quickly dropped them to her sides.

"Uh, I thought this house was empty," Athena began but was cut off by Saleh again. 

"And that makes it okay to send your mail here?" He asked in anger.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say. I needed an address, that's all," Athena explained quickly. "I didn't steal any of your mail or anything like that."

"Why did you need an address of someone else's home?" Huda asked curiously. 

"I-uh-," Athena began but decided that she didn't need to divulge any more information to the old couple. Something she learned about living on the streets for the past many months was that information was privileged and it led to weakness. "I can't tell you that." 

"Where are your parents girl? Let's give them a call," Saleh scowled.

"I don't have parents," Athena answered honestly. Her father was as good as dead to her. She was an orphan for all intents and purposes. 

"Convenient," Saleh scoffed.

"It's true," Athena murmured with a frown and glanced at her watch. 

"Do you have somewhere to be, young lady?" Huda asked as she studied Athena. 

"Yes, ma'am. I'm really sorry, I am," Athena urged again.