li

guy. He looked at me with sadness and regre

raised his voice at me, "Tol

isgust. "I may not be a match for you, and I don't want trouble, but I'm a good man and I have

ed an eyebrow.

d and shouted, "Run, girl! Take th

all my money was in the suitcase Mazen had taken from me. I just sat down on the curb and cried my heart out. "God, my parents are gone, I have no money, and I don't even have a phone to call Uncle Salah f

and an old, cracked phone, and handed them to me. I was shocked. She said, "The phone is old, but it's got five pounds of cred

want to go to Alexan

ere or if those few pounds w

hands were covered in dirt, I wasn't grossed out. I ac

the other vendors around the m

old them, "Everyone, give her whatever money you can spare, and someone go get Uncle Sabry th

and helping the poor every month. Once, I asked him why, and he said, "One day you'll understand-God will send people to help you

n't cry, dear. Just like God put me in your pat

ong. This must be the path God wro

. I promise I'll come back and repay you for all t

old lady, kissed her hand, and

id, "Please, son, take her to the train and help he

urned out, he wasn't just a taxi driver! He was a dignified man with

-hearted. I suddenly felt like they were my f

ying voice, he yelled, "You're not going anyw

d in front of him, blocking his way. "You're

more step, and I'll break your legs." He was threatening Mazen, but honestly, Mazen didn't even flinch. Mazen just c

from your neighborhood stand up for you. I'd heard about it befor

Quick, get in the taxi. Don't be sc

ed, "But who is he?

e me to marry him

pped me in my tracks. "May God protect you,

y head. "But he wants to force me

er, "He'll change with kindness. A stranger wi

brothers-what if one of them tried to mess with me or play with my feelings? Or what if Uncle Salah refused to let me stay or take care of

et what you did for me. I'll come back, God willing." I hugged her and walked away, hesitating,

up to Mazen, looked him straight in the eye, and sai