Sing for Me One More Time

Introduction The story is about the Lieutenant and his lovely Irice. Being privy to their story has been the highlight of my life. They have touched me and the lives of many others in amazing ways. The main subject of the story, is a romance which took place in Beirut, it is the crux of the entire novel. The charm and elation of romance define the relationship of two lovers from beginning to end. The book intends to help the reader view this classic love story unfold in a setting essentially derived from true events. It is a novel of suspense and a story that derives its distinct character from the authentic portrayal of the era in which the events unfolded. The journey of Irice and the Lieutenant does not end with this book. It invites us to take time to reflect, to dig deep into our soul, to rethink and search for the meaning of our lives in an evolving world. You are about to go on a journey full of choices and consequences, a journey full of fairness and injustices, a journey full of quests, ambitions, faith and doubts, love and greed, a journey full of romance, passion and controversies, a journey that can be characterized as engaging and heart-throbbing. The story shows how different convictions can lead us to make different choices. This is the story of Irice and the Lieutenant, walk with them to touch their secret, to discover the elucidation of love, and to examine the true characteristics of romance. This is the journey of true passion. -I- Memories Nothing brings you closer to God than music. Music has that effect. It facilitates reflecting and engages the heart. So the young Lieutenant felt upon hearing the “Ya Oum Allah” (Lebanese for Oh Mother of God, an aria of equivalence to the Ave Maria) fifty-five years ago, while attending Sunday mass with his friends Cannon, Mia and their children.The church was in complete silence when the soloist started her preparatory chant, a chant that made the Lieutenant along with over half of the church instinctually look up toward the balcony searching for the lady with that distinct voice. How often had he heard the aria and plunged into prayers and reflections? But today, it was different. There was an unusual feeling upon hearing the soloist’s high pitched aria. What a voice! the Lieutenant exclaimed to himself. Yes, the “aria” of today shook him, it lifted his soul up to a new type of reflection, a heavenly reflection. It actually hoisted him into another world, a whole world of divinity, a world he had left years ago, the awesome world of the monastery. “Do you know anything about the soloist today?” the Lieutenant asked his friend sitting beside him. “That was Irice, Mia’s niece. Come let me introduce you before she leaves with her parents,” said Cannon. Minutes later, Mia informed the Lieutenant that her brother had to get back home quickly on business. He missed them by a few seconds. The Lieutenant went home wondering how this young Irice looked? The following week, the Lieutenant received a telegram from Cannon carrying the happy news of the birth of his baby girl: ‘We have a baby girl. On my way to the hospital to see Mia.’ The immediately contacted him. “Congratulations my friend,” said the Lieutenant while shaking Cannon’s hand. “How are mother and child?” “Well, quite well,” answered Cannon. “I am leaving this afternoon on duty for one month. I shall see you all when I come back. Please wish Mia my very best.” A month later, he had box of assorted fresh fruit delivered to the Thomas’ and shortly after, he showed up at Mia’s doorsteps struggling with a few candy boxes while trying to ring the door bell. A mouthwatering aroma flowed throughout the house all the way to the outside patio where both men had just retreated for a cigarette break. It was Mia’s cooking! “Your planters,” exclaimed the Lieutenant smiling, “are always in full bloom! Does Mia feed them her cooking? They are lovely.” He said humorously while still gazing at the blooming planters until the soft voice of Mia’s oldest daughter gently startled him. “Here she comes Lieutenant,” said Melina, “I would like you to meet our cousin Irice.” As he turned around to shake her hand, the Lieutenant was struck by an Irice who looked every bit as stunning as her voice sounded in the church four months before. They shook hands and in his firm handshake she automatically felt confidence and strength. Not the least intimidated by her as many men usually were in her presence, he paid exclusive attention to her and she seemed undisturbed by it. Nevertheless, Irice was well accustomed to attention, but as it came from the Lieutenant, it did not annoy her as it usually did when it came from other men. The Lieutenant's piercing eyes did not leave Irice for a single instant. He was following her moves to and from the kitchen, while holding the baby, to and from the family room, from the dining room while carrying the dishes and back to the kitchen. He was affixed on her. ‘So this is Irice,’ he quietly thought, ‘a wait worth the while,’ he reflected quietly. Without any doubt Irice had noticed the Lieutenant eyeing her at Cannon’s house. What were her thoughts of him? “Simply interesting,” she exclaimed, in a causal conversation with her Aunt with no further comments.