Summary

In "First Earthquake," when Nadia was seven, and living in Rome with her father Osei, stepmother Anabel, and sister Yasmeen, an earthquake happened in Armenia. Her father seemed uncomfortable when Nadia asked if her mother's family was there. Shortly thereafter, Nadia's mother rang the doorbell. She took Nadia and Yasmeen around the city. That night, Nadia heard her father yelling about her mother. The next week in school, Nadia was upset. Because she did not know how to explain her feelings, she told her teacher she was "afraid of the aftershocks" (6).

In "Resettlement Registration Form," when Nadia was 28, she filled out a resettlement form. The questions about "ethnic origin," "preferred language," "country of origin," and "country of asylum" were difficult to answer (7, 8, 9).

In "Foreshocks," "Unwelcome Reunion," Nadia was 28 and living in New York City when Anabel visited. During dinner, they argued. Nadia called...