Summary

In Chapter 11, Jende rides the subway in misery, thinking about what he might do if he has to return to Limbe. A young black man asks to sit next to him and he obliges, but continues to think about his pending deportation. The white passengers of the train exit as it travels closer to Harlem, and Jende exits and walks home. He finds Neni in the kitchen looking upset. The next night he calls Bubakar, who tells him that the deportation process may take up to thirty years. He reassures Jende that even if his work permit expires, he will be in a ‘gray’ area and should simply stay away from the police. They are both hopeful that Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton will win the presidential election and help him gain citizenship.

In Chapter 12, Neni meets with her precalculus professor at a...