Summary

Mamou and her son immediately greet the Kellners when they emerge from the airport. They all embrace and pile into the car for their long journey to Yazd. During the ride, Mamou showers Darius with an onslaught of loving squeezes and probing questions about his life in America. As he doses throughout the rest of the trip, Darius remembers how Stephen would tell him stories every night before Laleh was born. When they arrive at home, Darius witnesses his first Tarof, which is a Persian social ritual of hospitality, respect, and politeness. He decides to take a shower and nap after being shown his room, and grapples with the dancing fan that occupies it.

When Darius wakes from his nap, he ventures into the yard where he sees Babou for the first time. He looks much healthier than Darius expected and even climbs onto...