Summary

This section starts with Isra’s perspective in fall of 1992, checking on her za’atar pies. She is pregnant with her third child. Nadine is also pregnant and puts Fareeda’s hand on her belly. Fareeda looks at Isra’s stomach and says it is a boy for sure. They all say a prayer for a grandson they can name Khaled after Fareeda’s husband. Later, Sarah and Isra make kofta [italicized] together and, “A single ray of light fell through the kitchen window as they gathered the ingredients on the counter: minced lamb, tomatoes, garlic, parsley” (158). They talk about Sarah’s future and Sarah claims that Isra’s problem is she stopped reading and it would make her feel better. Isra is worried about Fareeda and Adam finding out but Sarah tells her to read in secret. Isra says she does not...