I picked up the bags again and hugged them to my chest to give my arms a break from the weight. At the corner, I stopped and looked down the side street before crossing. It was quiet and empty; nothing seemed out of the ordinary. There was only a lady of a certain age who had gone out in her nightgown. She was sweeping away the water she had poured in front of her door, after having first watered the plants and flowers that were arranged to prevent cars from parking there. I took the right-hand side of the street, which was opposite Luqman’s shop, proceeding with a moderate speed that would not attract attention. When I got close, I slowed a little to steal a glance inside, making a pretense of adjusting the bags on my chest to keep them from falling.

And I saw him. He was standing in the back of the shop, facing the Egyptian employee. I knew him from his broad shoulders and the way he towered over the Egyptian. Even though the place was below street level and dimly lit where those two were standing, there was still enough light to leave no room for doubt. It was Luqman. I could pick him out of thousands, and from a mile away. Joy pricked the bottom of my stomach as I felt the blood surging through my veins. From now on, I know exactly where you are, and you know nothing about me. I am your creator, your god. You have no god but me.

Tensing my legs to keep from breaking into a run that would give me away, I managed to maintain my pace. Then it occurred to me to go past Mr. Joe’s bar to get a sense of the atmosphere there, even though I knew it would be closed at that hour. I couldn’t resist. One last bout of madness, and then I would relinquish all such adventures forever, I swore to myself. I quickened my step and went down an alley. I came out only to plunge into another, until in the end I concluded I was lost. Fine. I had tried and gotten lost. No loss, no regrets, and I wouldn’t be able to say I hadn’t tried.

I stopped someone and asked the way back to Armenia Street. He showed me the direction to escape the spiraling alleyways and reach the famous statue of Saint Rita. From there, I had to proceed to the statue of the Armenians, and then to wind my way through the alleys on the opposite side to a final one that opened onto Armenia Street, near the Akil Shop.