Lindsay

Lindsay Morgan graduated the same year as Carrie. She'd always been one step ahead of Carrie. Carrie cheered, but Lindsay was the head cheerleader. They both tussled over the same jock, but Lindsay prevailed there too. And now they were both in Lindsay's kitchen, wearing hijabs. It was surreal.

"It all started four years ago, junior year of college. I got paired up with Ali in my Comparative Theology class. He is Pakistani. And he'd hector me about how I dressed, how sexually provocative I could be with boys. It was really annoying to be honest. And then one night I went to the bar, and I got felt up, without consent, by some frat boy. And he tried to drag me out to the alley. I managed to break free but it was close."

"Oh, Lindsay, I'm so sorry," Carrie said, placing her hands on Lindsay's.

"Thanks. And Ali listened. For some reason, I felt he was the only person I could talk to. And I realized, sure, dressing up like a slut is a freedom, but dressing up so only your husband sees your beauty, that is special. So I wore the hijab. And I was immediately an outcast."

"I can relate," Carrie said uncomfortably. "So what happened?"

"The pandemic happened. I talked to Ali, and asked if he would be interested in a relationship with me. He said he was only interested in marriage, but that I could prove myself."

"How?" Carrie asked, curious.

"Well, I'd have to convert of course. I'd have to dress the part, act the part. We went through my sexual history, which made him deeply unhappy. So I had to commit to chastity. And because we both knew I was untrustworthy in that sense ... I had to wear a belt."

"A belt?" Carrie asked, shocked. Lindsay took her to the bedroom, showing her the medieval-looking device, leather and steel. Carrie traced her fingers over it.

"What if you need to pee or shower?"

"One of my friends from the MSA moved in to unlock me as needed. Her name is Fatima. I'm sure you'll meet her at some point. Ali still puts me in it when he travels. Anyway, I spent a year. And the dreams I had, Carrie, about Ali, in chastity. So vivid. It increased our emotional bond no matter the physical difference. Reading the Quran, learning the culture, and just before graduation, I reverted. Islam means surrender, you know. And on that rug, I cried my heart out and I surrendered. To Allah. To the Prophet. To Ali. And he's gifted me with these beauties, Noor and Hassan." The toddler and baby were both adorable, and both favored their Arabic heritage over their white heritage. "So who has sparked your interest, Carrie?"

"Mohammad Khan."

"Ah. Strong and strict. Just what you always needed."