American Taliban by Pearl Abraham

3, 2000
    RE: Muslim suit
    Dear Mr. Attar:
    We have the Muslim tunic and djellabah pants, about which you inquired, in white. Based on the information you provided, you will need a size Extra-Long. The cost of this suit is $75, plus tax. The qoob-ba or skully is $10.
    The cost of overnight shipping will be $19.95. We accept all major credit cards. Please remember to provide a mailing address.
    Thank you,
    Maryam
    Sales assistant at Al-ma-Ha-laat.com

 
     
    FOR HIS FIRST THERAPY SESSION at NYU Medical, John arrived early and unrealistically optimistic, though Barbara had warned him not to expect miracles, that healing takes time. Still, he hoped to walk out of the place without crutches, freed.
    After a fifteen-minute wait, a girl named Sarah introduced herself as his therapist. She had a narrow face, long lank hair, a girl way too ordinary for miracles, John thought.
    She looked at his chart. We will begin with mild exercise, she said in the singsong of routine. Your doctor doesn’t want you to put too much weight on the leg, which means we will be working in a seated position.
    I feel more than ready to get on it, John protested.
    She looked at him. She didn’t know how to smile, he decided. Next week, perhaps, we’ll do more. She led him to a reclining chair, and he heaved himself into it.
    John pulled up the leg of his pants, and undid the Velcro holding his cast, which Sarah took from him, pausing to notice Noor’s squiggles, signs, and signature. Pretty, she said. What does it say?
    Kaththar allah kheirkum, John said, then translated. May God increase your bounty.
    She took a tube of Bengay from the taboret beside her, squeezed some onto his leg, and massaged. His skin tingled.
    To warm up your muscles, she said. They’ve been fallow for so long, we want to stimulate them.
    Now, she said, I’m going to push against your foot, and I want you to push back gently, but steadily, in other words keep a gentle but firm pressure on, nothing sudden. And keep your knee bent. In fact, here. She reached behind her and brought out a soft block. Place this under your knee.
    Ready? she asked, and put her right palm against the sole of his foot.
    John nodded, and felt her gentle pressure pushing his leg back toward him. He returned the pressure, maintaining the distance between his leg and himself, and pinpricks like electrical impulses shot up his leg.
    Good, she said. How does it feel?
    As if my leg has been aching to do that.
    Yes, your bones want and need weight on them in order to maintain their strength. She paused. I’m going to bring it up a notch. If at any point the sensation becomes unpleasant, if it feels at all like glass breaking, stop the pressure right away.
    John felt her push harder, and he pushed back just enough, matching pressure with pressure.
    She held it for a few moments, then released it. Good, she said. And again.
    Let’s give your knee a workout. She stood, lifting his leg. Just relax, she said. Give me your leg. More, she said. Give it up. Allow me to do the work. Don’t try to do anything now.
    She cupped his ankle with one hand and held his calf, just below his knee, with the other, bent and unbent the leg, then moved it side to side, then in small circles. Okay, she said, pushing his knee toward his chest. You may push back gently. Try to straighten it, but don’t lock.
    John pushed, she pushed back, and they remained suspended for long seconds.
    This is going well. Let’s take a quick X-ray, and if it looks good, and your doctor gives us the go-ahead, we can try putting some weight on it.

 
     
    BILL HAD A MEETING in New York City, and he offered to take John to an early dinner at Nobu Next Door, Barbara’s recommendation. She had seen Chef Nobu on the
Today
show, and seeing him work, she said, you just know the food will be amazing.
    105 Hudson, between Franklin and North Moore, John e-mailed Bill, and they agreed to meet at 5:30.
    It was early, and the wait was short. Seated, they studied