***** Vol.3 Chap.45 An old friend *****

Finally, it was time to head to the desert.

Because of the tourist trade, the government had put in a six-lane highway leading from Cairo to the Giza Plateau. Along the way, he met countless tourist buses and vans. Loads and loads of tourists flocked to see the pyramids and the Sphinx. The place must be crowded during the day, with all the tourists gawking at the marvel of the architecture and the mystery. But for him, he no longer marveled at the architecture, but still intrigued by the mystery the Sphinx held.

When driving towards his destination, Frank was joyful and elated. He had made peace with his wife Catherine yesterday, something that he could not have done but should have done a long time ago. He had the sense of freedom and peace.

Released from his family burden, released from the rat race at the university, released from the pressure of research and getting ahead in the professional community, thinking back, he wondered how did he survived for so long in that pressure cooker.

He surprised himself that he was humming an old nursery tune while driving down the highway.

When he arrived at the Giza desert, it was already in the late afternoon. He drove straight to the gate of the administrative area and asked for Barak, his old friend in charge of admission. He really did not know if Barak would still be there or not. After all, it had been twenty-five years since he had been back.

To his surprise, Barak came out grinning from side to side.

“Frank, Frank, my old friend,” said Barak as he came out from behind the corridor into the lobby with his outstretched arms.

“How are you?”

“Great, Barak.”

They shook hands and embraced each other for the longest time.

“Come, come into my office.”

“Quite an establishment you’ve got here.”

“It’s alright. Here, sit down here while I go fetch some tea.”

“Thanks.”

When Barak came back with the tea, Frank said, “You looked well, Barak. How are your wife and kids?”

“They are fine. The kids are all gone from the house now.”

Barak said as he fixed the tea for him and brought it over to the table.

“You had three children, right?” Frank said, as he took a sip of the tea.

“Yes, the oldest son is working in Cairo with the Department of Archaeology. The oldest daughter is here working with me in the Parks Division, overseeing the activities in the Giza Plateau. The youngest daughter is finishing college in Cairo.”

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“Wow, you have done well, my friend.”

“Thanks. What brought you here today?”

“Well, I thought I would see the Sphinx and spend a week camping on the plateau.”

“You haven’t done that for a long time. The last time you were here, you and Catherine told me you were spending the night. You ended up spending three nights and got me all worried. If I did not know you better, I would have organized a massive man-hunt for you and Catherine.”

“Well, I promise you I would not do that again.”

“Ya, ya, ya.”

Barak looked at him. “You are alone?”

“Yes.”

“And you want to go camping?”

“Yes.”

“Camping alone by yourself?”

“Yes.”

“You are as crazy as before, if not crazier.”

“I have always been crazy. I am a crazy old fool. You should know that by now.”

They both laughed.

“How long are you going to camp this time?”

“Five days.”

“Five days by yourself? You are crazier than I thought.”

“Worse.”

They both laughed heartily again.

“Okay, drive your car to the service entrance at the side of the building and park the car in the employee’s parking lot. I will monitor the car while you are gone.”

“Thanks, Barak. You are a real pal.”

“Hey, that’s what friends are for.”

After parking the car and unloading all the gear, Frank went back to Barak.

“Barak, before I go on my way, I want to ask you for a favor.”

“Go ahead, old friend.”

“Here is my car key. Use it while I am gone. I have full insurance on it.”

Then Frank leaned forward to Barak and whispered in Barak’s ears. “If I do not show up in five days, please return the rental car and forget you have ever seen me here today?”

Barak sat back and took a long look at his friend while shaking his head. He could not believe his ears.

He had always respected Frank since childhood, and he knew Frank was not crazy. But he did not understand what Frank was asking. Not that he did not trust his friend, but the request was too unusual. He did not know what to think. He knew Frank took it very hard when his wife Catherine died. But he knew Frank was a survivor. He had heard about his accomplishments over the years and was happy about his progress.

Finally, Barak blurted out to Frank, “You are not planning on doing anything stupid, are you?”

“No.”

“You are not in trouble with the law, are you?”

“Wrong again.”

“Are you crazy?”

“Certifiably so!”

Only Frank laughed this time.

“Calm down, Barak. I will tell you.”

Frank told him the entire story, particularly the part about the illusions of the Sphinx.

“So, you see, I really don’t know the real reason I am here and I really don’t know why there is such attraction and urge coming to the Sphinx. Therefore, I have to go there and see what happens. Maybe nothing would happen and I will be back in five days knowing that there is really nothing to these illusions.”

“I don’t know what to say, Frank.”

“Wish me good luck.”

“What if something happens to you?”

“Well, there must be a reason I was drawn there.”

“I am still uneasy about the whole thing.”

“Well, I am thankful that you are looking out for me. I had to look out for myself for so many years; it is reassuring to have someone else looking out for me.”

Barak sat for a moment flipping his calendar on his desk, and then said to Frank, “I have a couple of days of vacation left. Let me go with you.”

“Thank you, Barak. That means a lot to me, old friend. But you still have a family to take care of. I do not know what I will meet out there. I cannot accept the responsibility for your safety and drag you and your family into my craziness.”

“I really wanted to go with you.”

“Let me go alone this time. When I come back, there will be plenty of time for us to go camping again with your family.”

“Alright, if you promise, you will be back.”

“Of course.”

They sat silently for a minute.

“Since it is getting late, the tourists should all be gone by now. Can you drop me off at the Sphinx?”

“No problem, but before that, at least let me give you a toast for good luck.”

“I’ll appreciate that.”

Barak toasted him for good luck. He toasted back for good health for Barak’s family.

Barak drove him directly to the Sphinx. A short drive. They arrived at the Sphinx and unloaded the gear. He turned and took Barak’s hand and held it tight. With teary eyes, they hugged for a long time.

“Thank you for everything, Barak. Your friendship, your understanding, and your help.”