Why No Updates...

 Well Zahir and I had a talk. He asked me to stop writing my dirty stories... I didn't realize how jealous it made him. The last thing I want is to upset my love.

 As a result my stories have stopped. FOR NOW. He knows I do want to finish the works that are started. As time permits I will continue with his blessing. Zahir is first in my life. He is the reason air fills my lungs, and I want him happy. I want to be his perfect princess.

 As I said even locked up here in our little castle, we are still racking up respectable hours towards my accreditation.

Chase 

Not Going Anywhere! (Curfew Has Hit Jordan)

 Well, the decision has been made. Not by me, my husband, my family, my employer, OR the U.S. Government. No, in the end it was the tiny virus that made the choice for us. Our borders are now closed.

 COVID-19 has killed thousands in neighboring nations. A couple weeks ago the embassy urged me to leave. Since then it has been a non-stop drumbeat. At the end of each cycle I repeated the words I spoke during our ceremony, "For better or worse, in sickness or in health..." After which Zahir would give me a nose rub and ask, "You will obey if I tell you to go?" I have replied yes, but I would not be happy. Z understands that is Chase code for please don't.

 Well, now we are confined to the compound. The Minister of State warned us all, "Curfew is a 'new lifestyle' that we must get used to until the coronavirus is controlled. Zahir and I are fortunate, most of our business can be done from the home office. Z got out of Iran just in time. 

 We are also fortunate Z's baby sister married a nurse affiliated with the Civil Defence Department. He makes sure Baba has his heart meds. Our leaders are talking about reopening the pharmacies again soon. Yawm, my brother-in-law-in-law (is that a thing) has been monitoring Baba and my health non-stop when he is home. He knows we are the most at risk in the house.

 All shops across the Kingdom are closed we will find more out on Tuesday. There will be certain times when shops will be open to allow us to "meet our basic needs." Starting today Mama and I have been giving surplus food items from our gardens to the guards to take home to their families to help them get by till Tuesday. We have also come up with a way to get some of our produce over our walls to the neighbors as we can. We are one nation, if each of us will sacrifice a little for the good of all we will be well. My family is Bedu, we are renowned for our hospitality and generosity.

 I hope you are all well, I may have a little fear and concern, but "This is my home, these are my people now, I am staying!!!"

Chase

Every Kaleeb Has It's Day

 Well I hate to say it: Zahir was right. He has been doing a lot of out of country business.  I occasionally will work with him, but I am now in training with most of the design teams. The concept is to give me a wide degree of experience in a short period of time.

 I have something new in my wallet that Zahir does not like. The boss gave me one of the company's "black cards" (a credit card with almost no limit) for when I am entertaining clients. From time to time we entertain the high-spending clients, take them to lunch, and pay for entertainment. Now that I'm actually "soloing" with clients I too have that responsibility.

 Which led to a prophecy of Zahir's being fulfilled. It was a simple meet and greet, "make sure the client gets settled into the hotel before the big meeting the next day." Zahir had not yet returned from his latest trip abroad so the boss thought it would be acceptable for me to go and greet the client at the airport and shuttle him to the hotel. Once there he had other ideas. 

 Light boys are a bit of a novelty in this part of the world. I was fortunate that a "passing" hotel staff member heard me (I am not that loud) and entered the suite. I think the boss had the hotel watch out for me. It is the only thing that makes sense. The staff member was able to correct the "gentleman's" misunderstanding. I was shaking when I got home. I told Baba all. He told me I did nothing wrong.

 The meeting the next day did not occur and I do believe I may have cost our firm a client. Both Baba and Zahir were not thrilled with the breach of my safety. Yes, that is of course an incredible understatement. They both wanted me to stop working. I told them I cannot just be a pampered puppy. I explained I would not be happy just being a house boy. But in the end I would obey my husband. They said they would make things work.

 The boss apologized to Zahir and me for not thinking of my safety. I will not be used to shuttle clients... the phrase "too frail" came up a lot from both of them. Rather than risk losing Zahir (or to a lesser degree me) the boss pulled some of his strings and now Kaleeb is "certified" as my therapy animal. He has a cute little vest that he wears to let everyone know that he is indeed my "therapy dog." He accompanies me everywhere. Everyone I work with knows he is my protection, a stand-in for Zahir. 

 The neighbors are nice to me. Z's brother still has me walking different routes to the local English speaking embassies, "Just in case." The family wants me to know my way to safety. I always have someone with me on these walks. They are there for the same reason as Kaleeb, to ensure nothing happens to me. The people of Jordan have been nothing but kind to me. I think it is an over-reaction.

 We had another person attempt to harm the perimeter dog (Kaleeb's surviving pack-mate). Our neighbors caught him and held him for the police. Okay there may have been some roughing up of the idiot before the police arrived.

 Arba'ah has promised to replace the dog who was killed in November. Kaleeb and his brother will stay with me in the inner garden. The outer zone will be patrolled by the new dogs. Arba'ah and Zahir do not want me to be involved with their training or deployment. I think they are afraid I will make pets of them.

 The neighborhood shopkeepers are getting to know me well. My Arabic is improving and I have polite discourse when my voice permits. Conversation is a special gift of the Jordanian people. There are no short chats.

 This is HOME!

Honeymoon Travel log - Vol 2

 So much has happened. Our third stop was a little Island in Greece. We spent a week playing, dancing and just enjoying each other. As soon as we returned to Amman that changed. 
 
 There was an earthquake in Iran and Z had to respond for the firm. I was all set to hang around the compound with Baba and Mama. Surprise! The boss put me back to work. I am racking up HUGE numbers of billable hours with the firm towards my accreditation as a structural engineer. Most of my focus is on expat jobs. Between my appearance and disability, Arab men would NEVER respect my professional ability.
 
 At home Mama has put me into bootcamp of sorts. I think she is teaching me how to be a dutiful spouse, worthy of her son. How to balance work and home. "Your King is all. He deserves peace when he returns home, it is his right and your responsibility to provide it." She was not being mean, she genuinely wants me to be a happy successful partner for Zahir.

 When I get home I am exhausted. Still, I manage the household books and pay our portion of the staff. Our housekeeper is treating me different. She used to treat me like a son/nephew... Now she treats me as her boss. She is still sweet but I miss the old relationship. It is like some of the magic is gone.
 
 To my fans sorry for the lack of updates, but I just haven't had the time to think, let alone write. I hope to be able to carve out more time for me... I just don't know when.

 I am now a licensed driver in Jordan! I am also the adopted son of my husband... (that just sounds creepy). It solves a few legal hurdles. A couple of his brother's wives have joined in the spousal mentor pool. With Mama they are teaching me where and how to shop.
 
 I am helping Z's youngest sister. She and Mama are grinding gears a bit. She and Yawm got married. The happy couple have moved into her suite of rooms in the big house. I guess the how to be a good wife bootcamp was NOT well received. Zahir warned me NOT to get involved. It is hard, I love them both but I am grateful Zahir and I live in the "small" house.


Love to you all 

Good night,
Chase