ANA Reborn by Carl Facciponte - HTML preview
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Chapter 24
ad's body, or what remained of it, was gathered J together and transported to the Lashkar Gar Mosque. A gentle breeze blew over the thirty-foot-high decorated courtyard walls, cooling the mourners as well as it was able in the Summer heat.
The light-blue dome gleamed in the sun as some of the mourners vied for a spot in the shadow of the mosaic-covered minaret.
The remains of Jad Bahar were carefully aligned to face Mecca, the holy center of Islam.
The body was wrapped in white linen, or more accurately, in a waterproof tarp that held the bits of bloody remains to keep the linen from staining.
Hala Bahar was thankful the Imam, as a family friend, decreed enough of Jad was found to justify a religious service.
The women, including the deceased's widow, stood furthest from the body. Children were the 195
next closest group. The men stood in lines at the front. Lance, Ana, and Rhett stood against the far courtyard wall behind the women.
Ana, are you sure we should even be here? It's not like we blend in at all.
It's okay, Rhett, just stay quiet and keep your eyes open. Lance is playing a political game, showing his respect and support to the drug dealers here. He wanted us to come just in case things take an ugly turn. Having a woman with him makes it seem like we are here peacefully.
Peaceful. Yeah, right. I have suspicions about that drone that blew Jad up.
The half-hour service concluded after traditional group prayers were said, and the service ended with a prayer that Allah would have mercy not only on the deceased but on all deceased Muslims. Then, the Iman announced only the men would attend the burial in a silent procession. Lance and his companions did not follow.
"No way we would fit there," Lance said, "plus I don't want to pick up a handful of dirt and throw it on his body after they lower him into the hole. That just seems wrong to me."
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Terek walked to his mother, put his arms around her, and quietly cried for his father. Hala held him tightly and wept softly in her grief. Her large,
almond-shaped
golden-brown
eyes
sparkled with tears in the sunlight.
Lance watched the two of them console each other.
"You know," he said, "it looks as if they really cared for Bahar. I would have thought they were all used to seeing death by now. She's a very good-looking lady, and the kid seems nice, too."
Ana flamed, "What do you mean by they should be all used to death? What are you saying?"
"Whoa, Sergeant. Let's not forget you are talking to your General. You'll watch the tone if you know what's good for you. Besides, I didn't mean anything by it. I was just saying since the country has been at war with someone or other for decades, you would think people would get used to casualties and not be so bothered by it all."
Ana, pull it together. This is no time to upset the General. Remember our kill switches. Apologize, and let's move on. This is not the hill you want to die on.
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"I apologize, General. The emotion of the funeral got to me, I guess. It won't happen again, Sir."
"Okay then, but see to it that it doesn't.
Understand?"
"Yes, Sir," Ana said quietly as she hung her head in feigned deference.
"Rhett," Lance said, "what are the social customs with funerals over here? What should I do if I wanted to show respect to the family?"
You can stop blowing people up. Rhett looked up the social customs. "Well, Sir, the mourning period is about 40 days, a little longer for the widow if she wants. During that time, people send flowers and food for the family. Is that what you wanted to know?"
"Yeah, thanks. One of you send flowers to the widow in my name. Say something nice on the card, then send over a box of whatever the hell people over here eat. Let's get back to the base."
Women gathered around Hala and Terek, leading them home silently.
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